Great essay, and you hit on a fundamental dfference between artists and athletes. Some healthy competition may exist among artists, but it's of a friendlier variety, where everyone celebrates each other's successes (though there are egotistical types who do see it as a zero-sum competition to their own detriment). An example of that type of friendly competition would be the Beatles doing Sergeant Peppers to try to top the standard set by the Beach Boys album Pet Sounds. But generally, it's as you say, and among truly great artists, they're all so unique that nobody is threatened by each other's success. If anything, the artistic excellence of one inspires the others to create their own masterpieces.
As for the battle against the self, have you read Steven Pressfield's book "The War of Art?" He does a great job personifying self-sabotage as "resistance" and provides some helpful techniques and insights for overcoming it.
Anyway, this was a great essay that was fun and interesting to read!
This is so good. I read it last night and didn’t know what to comment because it is all so spot on, Matt. I’m reading it again this morning because I’m riding a mean wave of self doubt. It’s so weird how I can feel as confident as Snoop finishing up a post and scheduling it. And then see it go out this morning and be like “wtf was I thinking?!” HAHA 🤣 For real I have to laugh, and that’s the beauty of it. Come back to self love and let the good times keep rolling. I loved the Last Last Dance!!!!
"Motorhead" gets my flow state flowing. A fine article, Matt!
“The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable “! Love that quote!❤️
Great essay, and you hit on a fundamental dfference between artists and athletes. Some healthy competition may exist among artists, but it's of a friendlier variety, where everyone celebrates each other's successes (though there are egotistical types who do see it as a zero-sum competition to their own detriment). An example of that type of friendly competition would be the Beatles doing Sergeant Peppers to try to top the standard set by the Beach Boys album Pet Sounds. But generally, it's as you say, and among truly great artists, they're all so unique that nobody is threatened by each other's success. If anything, the artistic excellence of one inspires the others to create their own masterpieces.
As for the battle against the self, have you read Steven Pressfield's book "The War of Art?" He does a great job personifying self-sabotage as "resistance" and provides some helpful techniques and insights for overcoming it.
Anyway, this was a great essay that was fun and interesting to read!
Your (excellent) essay reminds me of this quote I came across recently:
“To be a champion, compete; to be a great champion, compete with the best; but to be the greatest champion, compete with yourself.”― Matshona Dhliwayo
Seems right since most people are their own greatest critics!
This is so good. I read it last night and didn’t know what to comment because it is all so spot on, Matt. I’m reading it again this morning because I’m riding a mean wave of self doubt. It’s so weird how I can feel as confident as Snoop finishing up a post and scheduling it. And then see it go out this morning and be like “wtf was I thinking?!” HAHA 🤣 For real I have to laugh, and that’s the beauty of it. Come back to self love and let the good times keep rolling. I loved the Last Last Dance!!!!
Great read, Matt!
Loved "that wonderful state which makes art inevitable". I might use it as a tagline or add it in the about section. Haha.