Thanks for writing this! I hope to see and share more.

EC

@Nick — is it a strange concept? Why stranger than junior / senior scientist? I think we’re just not used to it, and our culture does not validate artistic work in the same manner it does scientific research. Perhaps that’s as it should be, I don’t know – but I am learning that the ‘rules’ for artists are in most cases much more closely aligned with those for other entrepreneurs (which is really what we are). This means that we get to decide our own status and promotions – but the proof, as Johnny points out, is in the pudding, so we also have to walk the walk… just like you do.

@Johnny — I am definitely on the same page as you in terms of the spiritual/philosophical side of creativity, – the two things are inextricably linked for me. Music IS my spirituality, nothing more or less. That said, a lot of art and music that wears that badge proudly on its sleeve leaves me pretty underwhelmed. I’ve arrived at a point where that spiritual side of my work is kind of private, and I’m less interested in advertising it. Of course, if everything is flowing as it should, then it should come across to anyone who’s tuned in on that level, but I’m not going to go around waving big a purple Spiritual Artist flag.

@April — well I’m happy that I’ve been part of making a good first impression… stay and have a look around, there is a lot of really fantastic content here… Mark is one of my favorite ‘bloggers’ anywhere, with a wealth of insight and experience and a really clear style, and the other guest writers rock too!

@Charley — you’re right, that’s an enormously powerful question and can defuse a lot of our fears and limitations all on its own. Getting into the habit of asking that question – with, as you say, a high degree of honesty – is immensely liberating. Suddenly most things seem possible!

@Justin — We definitely generally underestimate ourselves and sell ourselves short… I’m not sure we overestimate those who achieve great things however. I think I know what you mean, which is that we overestimate their talent – we assume it is because they have capabilities we lack or (worse) could never have. However, I also think we often greatly underestimate the amount of work they have put in. Mostly this is because we’re unwilling to make the same sacrifices and this gives us the ‘out’.

I’ll be writing more about all these topics in my soon-to-be-launched creative Manifesto, on my soon-to-be-launched NEW blog, fearlesscreativity.com … and quite likely in these pages too. Stay tuned!

Thanks again all for a lively and inspiring conversation!

We’re all just people, after all!