How To Deal With Uncertainty As An Artist

A Heroes Journey

There's a story about a man who went to college. Like many people he realized that it wasn't for him after about one semester. He had dreams of becoming an actor but of course that is a tough career path. While taking various jobs he never stopped taking auditions.

Things got tough for him. He even lived in a van with his friend in Hawaii for a little bit. One day he was working at a restuarant when his opportunity came completly by chance. He met Rae Dawn Chong who happened to be looking for actors. After a few odd acting jobs he landed a part in Parks and Rec. He ended up on the A list for his part in Guardians of the Galaxy playing Star Lord. His name... Chris Pratt.

How my life got derailed

This may sound like a typical hollywood actor story, but think about it. Are you able to live with that level of uncertainty? Never knowing what's going to happen next? Anyone pursuing a creative career ends up facing a level of uncertainty at one point or another. The problem is, if you don't know how to deal with it you may end up quiting or changing course to something safer. That's what happened to me.

I graduated from college in 2012. Because I had a degree in music I thought music production should be an easy field to go into. The problem was I had never produced before, not to mention that I had no knowledge of how to actually run a business. After trying for a year I closed up my website and stopped making beats altogether.

I couldn't stand the uncertainty. I took a job as a tax clerk which while secure, came with it's own problems. I came back to producing but not until years later. I tell you this story because if I had stayed producing like I knew that I wanted to I would be much further ahead.

External Results

Uncertainty is something we all have to deal with. It is a real risk that we must face. The problem is we end up looking to external factors to confirm our emotions. Don't get me wrong external results can be a good indicator that you're doing the right thing. The problem is when we need external results. That's when it becomes a distraction.

When we don't get the results that we're looking for we start to question the purpose that lies deep within us. The problem with external results is that we don't have control of them. Whether we get that sale, or if we get that compliment is not up to us.

As artists we have to trust our inner voice that pushes us to create. We have to have the mindset of being on this journey for life. That no matter what setbacks come our way we will keep going. Even though the score says that our team has no chance, we play until the last second. When you move this way it doesn't matter what sort of obstacles you may face. You're going to have the fortitude to keep going.

The Success Formula

We have all heard that when preparation meets opportunity we find success. A + B = C. The problem is that we only control the A. All we can do is prepare for what's to come. This is the artists work is to prepare to the best of their ability. Even though we don't have control of the opportunities that may come we must always but on the lookout.

Have you ever heard of the red car test? If I was to say that I would give $50 for every red car that passes by, then you would notice every single red car on the road. Even the ones far away. If I would have never said that the red cars will pass by and you may not even notice them. That's what opportunity is like. If you aren't looking for them they may be passing you by all the time and you won't even notice.

Delaying Gratification

With so many distractions available today the artist must learn to delay gratification. The business of being an artist requires that we learn to focus on the things we can control and shut the rest out. Most people believe that means that you can't enjoy life in the present. That's false. You have to enjoy life in the present because the present is all that exists. Delayed gratification means learning to enjoy things that will bring you value later. Instant gratification is finding enjoyment in things that bring no value later.

Instant gratification is what distracts us from preparing for that opportunity. Dan Koe distinguishes this as bad dopamine. Good dopamine comes from taking action and pursuing a future goal. There is a force called inspiration that helps us on our journey to pursing our goals. There is also an opposite force called resistance that will try to distract us from our goals. Think of this as the 2 angels on your shoulder. The choice of which one you listen to is yours and yours alone.

Tips for Staying Focused

1. The For-Life Mindset

When you have the mentality that you are going to spend a lifetime doing this you can zoom out. The first time I started producing I quit after 1 year. If I was able to recognize that 1 year is 1/50th of 50 years, then I would be able to understand that I have time to learn more.

If you are struggling, then recognize that there's always something you can do about it. Don't listen to resistance. Zoom out.

You can only build a house brick by brick. Do what you can for the day, and go to sleep knowing that you accomplished everything that you can for the day. Stack days like this and you will find yourself in a much better position than you would be otherwise.

2. Get Feedback

This may seem counter intuitive to what I said earlier. Getting feedback from people that are where you want to be is how you can get there faster. There is a difference between getting feedback and needing validation. Feedback is constructive criticism. Validation is having your feelings confirmed for the sake of comfort. Make sure that we don't need positive feedback and can handle receiving criticism.

3. Focus on Good Dopamine

Acheiving tasks on the way to your goals produces dopamine. This is different from the dopamine that comes from instant gratification. This is not to say that all instant gratification is bad. Sometimes you need the entertainmen. If you are on the right path you will receive inspiration to keep going. If you are on the other path you will feel waves of resistance and regret.

4. Track Your Habits

Where you are today is a result of the habits that you have done everyday. If you don't like where you are focus on changing your habits. Ever since I've started tracking my habits I have noticed that I get motivated more to keep my streaks alive. It provides me with that good dopamine that I need to keep going.

You can use a simple spreadsheet or you can buy a planner that has one. (Like the Best Self planner). When you can visualize where your time is going you can know what type of results to expect.

5. Release All Expectation

Remember this is a for-life game. We cause ourself unnecessary stress when we try to force life to follow our timeline. This goes for everything.

Conclusion

When we are pursuing our goals the challenge is to focus on what we can control and let go of what we can't. When we do this we find that we don't need motivation as much as we need discipline. The power to focus on those daily tasks and to let go of all unneccesary expectations. Of course we have things we want to acheive but we are not in control of that. If we can delay gratification, develop discipline, and focus your mind on the things you can control, then we can end up where we want to go.

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