memphisLimelight

Paul Ryburn's blog mentioned yesterday that someone suggested to him that he start his own tribe or movement to encourage more people to earn a living outside of the 8-5 status quo. 

It's a great idea, but I scoffed cynically at reading it.  I scoffed, not at Paul, but, shamefully, at the optimism.  And I am an optimist.  Hope is the only thing that keeps me going.  It keeps me determined.  But I've been trying to earn a living outisde the cubicle or inside one, and the fact of the matter is that artists are simply disposable.

I keep asking myself what I'm doing wrong.  What do I need to do?  Am I not trying hard enough?  And the one thing I can think of is that I, honestly, haven't been writing creatively enough.  I've been holding back on this blog.  Fear is the artist's kryptonite, and with all my attempts to "put myself out there," I have still let fear hold me back.

I have been cheating you, dear reader, and I apologize.  I haven't been writing to my full potential, and I'm going to try to turn over a new leaf.  This is my confession.  It's my new committment to you, though I have to admit I'm afraid even to give that.  I'm afraid I'll be afraid again; afraid to reveal too much or for this blog to become a form of cyber psycho-therapy. 

I'm not whining, but added to the pressure of trying to make a living is the artist's apprehension to promote your work when the world doesn't seem to think it's worthy (until you're dead).  I'm not whining because I make the choice to stay true to my art.  In fact, the hindrances I'm met with serve as motivation almost as much as they discourage.  And that's why this tribe thing is a good idea.

Amazon's description of Seth Godin's book explains that it's always been human nature to form tribes or groups of similar individuals and that the internet has provided a venue for expanding these groups.  The idea is that while the web provides this venue for communication, tribes still need leaders, and the book teaches leadership skills for achieving new levels of success in ever-expanding arenas.

I think I want this book.  It sounds interesting, and its message is an idea that's actually been on my mind for several months.  It's the idea that while artists tend to be loners, their success and survival depends on networking even more than it does for corporate types. 

I'm already part of a tribe, though we don't even have to acknowledge our collective existence.  The successes I have in current projects are due to delegating tasks I can't handle to willing and capable friends.  And in turn, I help them with what they can't handle on their own.  It's the basic give and take of friendship expanded to professional endeavors. 

I recommend to other artists that while you're trying to achieve your professional goals, take on responsibilities and make things happen for others in your tribe.  It will make you less disposable, or you'll at least feel less so. 

On my way up (because I do feel that something big is about to happen), I may not be making the big bucks yet, but I am fulfilled by creating connections and projects and results for others.  And for me, fulfillment is one kind of success.