I observed Escher, I love Basquiat, I watched Keith Haring, you see I studied art. The greats weren’t great because at birth they could paint. The greats were great because they paint a lot. (Macklemore)
DO.
THE.
FREAKING.
WORK.
Just Stop
Stop talking about what you could do. Stop planning it for the 12th time. Stop waiting. Stop coming to work on the dot, leaving on the dot and doing “just enough.” Stop complaining that you don’t get what you deserve because you’re so brilliant and your boss doesn’t realize it. Stop waiting for someone else to do your job. Stop thinking what was good enough 1, 3, 5 or 10 years ago is going to be good enough tomorrow. It wasn’t good enough today.
And Start
Start learning again. Start putting in the hours – either in the office or in your own self-improvement. Start making everyone else’s job easier. Start going above & beyond because you want to, not because you expect something. Start practicing. Start that project you have been putting off. Start and just keep going.
The greats weren’t great because at birth they could paint. What are you relying on to get you further in your career and life? Natural talent? Past success? Tricks?
Wake up, go to work, and paint. A lot.
Great post Matt!