Being an artist of any kind is difficult, and it's even more difficult if you dedicate yourself fully to that art. Most people don't choose to be musicians, or painters, or filmmakers because they want to make a lot of money. There are plenty of professions that will yield a better salary than being a filmmaker, and most of us will never reach that 1% in the entertainment industry who never have to worry where their next job is going to come from. I think as any kind of artist, it's important to keep asking yourself if you're doing what you want to be doing in life. Take a few minutes to watch the video below that forces you to ask yourself, "What do I desire?"
Thanks to Ron at Dare Dreamer Magazine for sharing this one:
We don't choose the situation we are born into, but I am a firm believer that anyone can do anything they want. Of course, you can't will yourself into playing Center for an NBA team, but if you look at successful people in any industry, you will find someone from every sort of ethnic and social background. It's easy to say that someone has become successful because they have been lucky, but there is nothing lucky about a sustained artistic career. There will always be chance encounters that help people on their path to a successful and meaningful career, but it's dedication and hard work that present those opportunities in the first place.
As Alan says:
Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, than a long life spent in a miserable way.
If you're not already doing what you'd like to be doing, what do you need to do to make that happen?
