Chasing Success Killed my Creativity

TL;DR

Chasing financial success has hindered my creativity and passion. My journey from painting to writing and now exploring AI content has shown me the importance of genuine interest in a craft rather than focusing solely on profit. The need for immediate results has led to frustration and a cycle of abandoning projects. It’s essential to reflect on whether we pursue passions for their own sake or merely for the outcomes they can provide.

Introduction

Hey everyone, Cody here! Today, I want to share a personal reflection on how the relentless pursuit of success has stifled my creativity. If you’ve been following my channel, you might have noticed the evolution of content—from painting to writing and now to AI. This journey reflects not just changing interests, but also a struggle to remain committed to one passion.

The Early Days: Finding Joy in Creativity

I started painting back in 2017, and it was a thrilling experience. I immersed myself in learning different styles, techniques, and materials. The joy of creating something from scratch was unparalleled. For those first few months, I painted simply for the love of it. However, as I invested thousands of dollars into my art, I began to feel the pressure to sell my paintings.

– I started listing my artwork, hoping to offset the costs.
– Although I sold a few pieces, the sales didn’t match my expectations.
– The reality of financial struggles soon overshadowed my artistic joy.

This shift in focus transformed my relationship with painting. Instead of creating for pleasure, I was now creating for profit.

Transitioning to Writing

After a few years of painting, feeling disheartened by lack of financial success, I pivoted to writing. Writing had always been a passion of mine, so it felt natural to explore this avenue again. I began crafting poetry, blog posts, and even books. In 2022, I found myself in a creative flow, producing five poetry books in a single year.

Initially, I was thrilled with the process:
– Writing every day felt fulfilling.
– I was proud of the work I was producing.

However, similar to my experience with painting, my excitement waned when the books didn’t sell as anticipated. Though I told myself it wasn’t about money, deep down, I felt the disappointment creeping in.

The Cycle of Abandonment

As I faced repeated failures in selling my art and writing, I began to hop from one project to another. When I realized that my poetry books weren’t gaining traction, I tried my hand at creating journals on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Unfortunately, those didn’t pan out either.

The pattern continued as I ventured into YouTube content creation, focusing on AI-driven topics. Each new project started with enthusiasm, only to fade when I didn’t see immediate results. I spent hundreds of dollars trying to make these ideas work, but the results were consistently disappointing.

– I constantly switched niches, hoping the next one would be the breakthrough.
– The incessant chase for success led to feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing.

Realizing the Impact of Passion

Reflecting on my journey, I began to understand a critical truth: chasing success has killed my creativity. I was not sticking with any one thing long enough to truly develop it or find joy in it. I often look back at the most successful people in creative fields—writers, musicians, and artists—and see a common thread: passion.

For instance:
– **Mr. Beast** (Jimmy Donaldson), the most subscribed YouTuber, dedicated himself entirely to his craft.
– The drummer from **Twenty One Pilots** expressed a deep longing for drumming even offstage, emphasizing the passion that fuels creativity.

These examples made me realize that without genuine passion, the drive to persevere through challenges diminishes. If I focus solely on results, the inevitable disappointments deter me from continuing.

Understanding My Intentions

I had to confront a tough question: Was I genuinely interested in my projects, or was I merely chasing after the potential financial rewards? My experiences suggest that many of us fall into this trap.

– **Are we pursuing our passions for the joy they bring, or are we motivated by the potential for money?**
– It’s natural to want financial success, but it shouldn’t overshadow the love for the craft itself.

I acknowledge that I often conflated the two. I approached projects with the mindset of needing them to succeed financially, which led to disappointment when they didn’t meet my expectations.

The Importance of Persistence

It’s crucial to recognize that success rarely comes overnight. Many successful individuals faced years of struggle before achieving recognition. They persevered through the tough times because they were driven by passion, not just profit.

– **Hard work, persistence, and the willingness to show up consistently are vital.**
– If we abandon projects as soon as the initial excitement wears off, we miss the chance to develop our skills and potentially find success over time.

I realized that I have been quick to walk away from projects when the creativity sparked by excitement faded. However, showing up even when motivation wanes is essential to foster growth and improvement.

Conclusion: Finding Balance

In the end, this journey has highlighted the importance of aligning my intentions with my actions. Moving forward, I aim to find a balance between pursuing my passions genuinely and setting realistic expectations for financial success.

– **What is your true intention?**
– Are you willing to invest time and effort without immediate rewards?

By embracing the process rather than fixating on the outcome, I hope to reignite my creativity and find fulfillment in my work. It’s time to step back, reflect on what truly matters, and approach my projects with renewed passion and commitment.

Thanks for joining me on this introspective journey. I look forward to sharing more thoughts and experiences with you all in the future. Take care, and God bless!

Original channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeLKnAr7bboEMw89qSWjQwg