You Have To Grind

In the next couple months I will be a graduate of Columbia College Chicago. After transferring from a community college, it only took me three years to earn my degree. At this point in time it’s normal for a lot of soon to be graduates to worry about their futures and careers (I’d be lying if I said I had no such anxieties). But as the years have gone by that sense of worry has slowly been drifting away.

This is because with each year I learned more about myself and what I wanted out of life. I’ve learned time management skills, and how to have better discipline with my work. And it has paid off. Now more than ever the opportunities for work are coming in from all over the place. My work and professionalism has created a strong resume that I can stand by and be proud of. 

In three years though I’ve experienced people in the opposite shoes. Now of course I’ve had my own lazy days (or weeks), but I eventually learned to get myself in gear and back to work. Yet there are some people that don’t push themselves, that don’t (or won’t) do the work necessary to get recognized. 

One moment comes to mind in particular. For one class, my final project involved putting together a small comic script and some pages of art. I was in charge of the script and I was to find an artist to collaborate with the art. I interviewed multiple people, even making it clear that I was going to pay them, and that any art they created they were more than welcomed to use for their portfolio. 

If there was anything more disappointing than those who didn’t bother to take the opportunity, it was those who said they would and then ended up quitting. I couldn’t understand it, how does one pass up on such an opportunity? You’re getting paid, and secondly, it builds upon your resume for other people to see your work.

There’s this myth of being an artist: when you’re sitting by the attic window, writing away with your quill and ink, the only light coming from your candle and the moon. Then all of a sudden the magical inspiration fairy comes swooping in and farts inspiration into your ear and that’s how great art is made. 

This is straight up B.S. 

I have my own saying for art. Whether you are a writer, a musician, a graphic designer, etc. This saying applies to all forms of art:

Whatever it is you want to do with your life you need to love it. It needs to make you happy and give you fulfillment. You need to work with all that passion for it, but you need to work at it like a shitty nine to five job. That’s the only way you’ll see your passion come to life.

Creating art is a job, it takes time and effort, you can’t sit around and wait for it. I’m glad that over the years that clicked stronger and stronger within me. You need to be willing to grind, to do the work to get your name out there, step outside of your comfort zone. Seize opportunity and do your best with it. If you sit around and twiddle your thumbs you’re missing out on something that could be great. 

Best of luck at all your endeavors.

Here is an Andy Warhol quote to consider.

“Why do people think artists are special? It’s just another job.”