On Nothing Being "Too Much"

“If you really want to be a [success], nothing will seem like too much. If you don’t really want to be a [success], everything will seem like too much.” - E. L. Konigsburg

In Konigsburg’s book, Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth, the character Jennifer was talking about being a witch, but ultimately it was about being a success at whatever is important to you. So I changed the quote to be more general.

Sacrifice is important for any passion. When I made the decision to begin my art career, I knew there were things I needed to give up that I was ready for: a stable income, financial independence, an externally imposed structure and routine, and daily socializing ( at least with co-workers if not friends). I was prepared for these because the joy and benefits of what I was stepping in to was greater than those I was leaving.

Once I started working on my art, I found there were other sacrifices I was not prepared for but it turns out they are not “too much.”

A social/emotional one has been the loss of people in my social life who think I downgraded my life by choosing an art career over a professional one. They are people who think art and artists are second or third-class citizens because it is not considered “lofty” or a legitimate way to make money or it is something for the leisure class only or the work is not worthy of being respected. There are people in my family who appreciate art - but not the artist. I had friends (perhaps they were always merely acquaintances) who disdained me when I said I am an artist. They literally scoffed at me, laughed, derided, and in once case wrinkled their face like I had spewed on the table. One person guffawed and said, “Why would you ever?” As though somehow my life choices were personally affecting their life choices.

But like during traumatic events, when all is said and done, you really can tell who your friends are. It didn’t hurt my feelings, but it did make me realize I was happy to be rid of the people who were insisting I get their approval for my life path and success.

Strange as this may sound, another area that I have had to sacrifice is time. I want to be a success. Nothing, therefore, is too much. And this includes sometimes starting over on a piece that I have already put in hours, days, or even weeks of work into. If it isn’t good enough and I have to scrap it, do-over, or even throw it out and begin the whole project again, then that’s what I need to do.

I have never been a believer in “perfection,” but I am a believer of excellence. My father calls it elegance. If my work does not meet MY standards, I have not reached my own expectations of excellence. Much like the loss of social acquaintances though, I do not let others determine for me what is excellent. There are too many opinions to try to please, and almost all of those are self-interested. I have one trusted close friend who gives me honest feedback. I often take his advice but he does not waiver in his friendship if I choose not to take it. Instead, he listens to why I did not and we dialogue. The listening is what makes it trusted.

What I have really learned is this:

If I don’t want to be a success, everything I have to give up is too much: money, people, time.

But since I DO want to be a success, none of these is “too much:” exchanging a professional career for an art career, and thus financial independence for creative pursuits; ridding my personal life of judgmental acquaintances for trusted friends; taking the necessary time to make things truly excellent and elegant.

It’s all about priorities.