Getting caught up in the numbers game is easy in our digitally-dominated era.
Artistic worth is often measured by social media metrics. This culture has created a perception that success is instantaneous, that viral fame is just one post away. However, what needs to be more commonly discussed is the crucial ingredient to long-lasting success - patience.
Realizing your creative vision and achieving recognition takes time to happen. Behind every successful creative endeavor are hours, days, and often years of hard work, mistakes, lessons learned, and gradual progress. Success does not come by chance, requiring persistence, consistency, and, most importantly, patience.
It's common to find yourself scrolling through social media, comparing your views or likes to those of successful creators. It's easy to feel discouraged when you see others amass thousands or millions of views while your work reaches only a few hundred. Here's the reality check: You see only the result, the single percent of the outcome of 99% hard work. What remains unseen are the countless hours of work, numerous iterations, and persistent efforts these creators have put into their craft.
Therefore, it's essential to change your perspective on success. Remember that success is not solely defined by the number of views or likes but by the personal growth you experience and your work's impact on even a small audience. Here are a few strategies to help you cultivate patience and resilience in your creative journey:
- Consistent Creation: Keep creating and publishing, no matter the immediate response. You refine your skills and develop your unique voice with every piece you make.
- Patient Persistence: Embrace the process and the time it takes. There's no shortcut to meaningful success. Patience is your ally, not your enemy.
- Value Impact Over Impressions: Measure your success by your work's impact, even if it's on a smaller audience. A positive change in a single person can be more rewarding than a thousand views.
- Invest in Your Growth: Celebrate small victories and personal progress. You are your benchmark. How far you've come is more important than how far others seem to be.
- Prepare for Opportunity: Always be ready. When success comes knocking, you'll be prepared to receive it because of your hard work and dedication to your craft.