Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride"
“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.” Michael Jordan
When we see someone reach a high level of success, we tend to think they got lucky, or had super-secret God given talent, or sold their soul to the devil. They just make it look so easy.
Through the many years of growing the art business of Drew Brophy, we’ve had spurts of fortune and elation. We’ve also suffered dry spells where our projects were rejected and the money just wasn’t coming.
Many times during a drought, Drew and I would find ourselves working twice as hard for half as much. Exhausted, we’d look at each other and ask “Why are we doing this?” But then, a new opportunity would present itself and we’d find ourselves washed over with passion once again, renewed with energy and excitement. And now, after years of commitment to our passion, we finally can breathe a little easier.
Recently Drew gave a lecture to artists on success principles. A lady in the front row was a muralist, and she had been plugging away at her craft for many years. Though she had many achievements, she was frustrated at how hard it was to break through to the next level in her art career. She had too many rejections, and she wanted to know what she was doing wrong.
Drew’s answer to her was “You aren’t doing anything wrong. It’s just hard.”
Artist, director and producer Tim Burton is a great example of how much work you may have to put in to find the reward when you are attempting to do something BIG. We’ve seen the results of Burton’s sweat and tears through his dark, creepy films such as Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissor Hands and Beetlejuice, all of which were wildly popular.
What we haven’t seen is just how many of Tim Burton’s films were turned down and never made it to the big screen. Seth Godin just wrote a post about the countless projects that Burton put months and years into that never made it to completion.
When I read Seth’s article, I felt great encouragement! If Tim Burton has suffered more failures than I have, then maybe that’s just what I have to do. Fail more often. Keep producing projects and don’t stop (like my 2 years of producing a TV Show that still hasn’t been picked up).
I realized that so many of the projects and ideas that Drew and I have had that didn’t make it were just part of the trail that lead us to the projects that did make it.
Michael Jordan has said of allowing yourself to fail: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
It’s not that we are doing anything wrong. It’s just hard to do great things. (And that’s okay.)
Maria xxoo
This is a great and motivating post. Everything said here is true. It IS hard to do great things. You just have to be fearless and keep things moving forward. Keep advancing. And don’t take “No” for an answer.
Well, said Maria!
Brian
Thanks, Brian. “Keep moving forward” Yes – great reminder for us all!
Right after college, a friend of mine talked me into doing construction for him. While there, I made money and worked hard. Having made my rounds, I befriended everyone. Eventually I’d show my art to them. Everyone, I mean everyone, and even the general contractors would ask me, “what are you doing, doing construction? You’re talented and you can make something of yourself.” They’d even add in comments such as, “doing construction, you’re just gonna wear your body out. You can be doing a lot easier.?…. Well, perhaps not EASY but, after I did dedicate myself to the arts ever since. It’s been a long road that’s too be sure. I get a glimmer of real successful hope here and there. Usually nothing more than hope….
However, all these things, these times have added up. The connections I’ve made. The knowledge I’ve learned. Submerging yourself is what it takes to make it. It doesn’t happen overnight, at least not for most. What I do realize is that I’ve stuck to my guns and things are getting better all the time. That is hope that I know I know is hopeful.
~Dennis
Hey Dennis, thanks for the comment. You’re right about “submerging yourself is what it takes to make it happen”. Staying on the path. If you love what you’re doing, you’ll keep doing it and it’ll happen. Just like Tim Burton – all of his failed projects didn’t keep him from continuing to produce.
PS: The construction workers were right – you should be doing art! I”m glad you listened!
You inspire me, Maria!
Thanks so much for your thoughtful post. Your blog is awesome to read.
“Genius is 99 percent perspiration and one percent inspiration,” wrote Thomas Edison, one of the greatest innovators of all time.
You just have to stick to a plan and go for it until you succeed. It can take time, but keep the faith. Hold a vision of winning that gold medal in your mind’s eye. Sooner or later, you will hold that gold medal in the palm of your hand. Following a daily routine/rituals can help you.
This post made me realize one of the biggest lessons I learned last year: If I am not failing … I am failing! In other words, Jordan could say he never missed … if he never played. Getting in the game and failing is just a step toward winning.
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Baby steps, Building strength and character, Nothing worthwhile is easy. In our society of Jet-fueled-trained-instant-gratification, I was spoiled. The world really does not owe us anything. Any rant of “why” is futile and energy wasted. History (written into an edited version) tricks us into thinking success is easy. Yet ,our lives are relative specks of time. Its a huge gap in thought! Hindsight is 20-20, Thinking forward is hard. Every day, Deb and I wake and greet the day with wonder (It used to be worry) “What cool thing will happen today? What steps do we take? What brush stroke will I make?” There is still the financial nut to crack, but through practice, you learn to peel away the BS and focus. I’m on the verge of 47 and STILL learning. Wonder-fill yourself and No Worry, Beef Curry. Thanks Maria and Drew for Sharing your Aloha!, Clark & Debs