You Are NOT Starving!

The Art of Entrepreneurship
by Jason Torres

The “Starving Artist”.
 
Does the phrase sound familiar? Imagine someone telling you after you’ve shared with them your dreams and visions of how you want to impact the world as an artist, they turn around and give you that, “reality check” as society likes to put it. They tell you to go get a, “real job” (what the heck does that even mean?); they tell you that artists don’t make money; and/or they tell you that all you will be is a…Starving Artist.
 
If you’re a aspiring artist and you ever hear someone say this to you or a fellow artist, I want to leave you with three ideas to reflect on:

1. CTS: Consider The Source. If you pay attention to the people that use this phrase, you will find that they aren’t even in the game. Heck, they aren’t even artists. So, how can they be so sure you will “starve” if they aren’t on the journey? Always consider the source when people share their opinion. Remember that if you buy the opinions of people that don’t serve you, you will eventually buy their lifestyle.
   

 
2. You must have a VISION greater than your problems. There are many amazing people who have let their dreams die the moment they heard, “Starving Artist”. It’s my belief one of the reasons why that happens is because they didn’t create a strong enough vision for the type of artist they aspired to become. This is so important because having a vision will pull you through the obstacles, including hurtful words that come from others.
 
3. Starving Artist? NO. Hungry Artist? ABSOLUTELY. Consider having some fun with anyone who may think you are on the path to starvation. Let them know that you are more of a, “hungry artist”.
 
What do I mean?
 
I believe you all are hungry artists; but not hungry for food. You are hungry to make an impact; you are hungry to bring your creative spirit to life; you are hungry to touch others through your respective craft. In fact, you are so hungry that you are willing to do what it takes for however long it takes to make it happen. Even if it means you have to work a job or two to get the bills paid and then come home, get back in the game and do what is required to become the artist you deserve to become.
 
It all comes down to one word that many don’t understand, but they confuse it as being a “starving artist” and that word is: SACRIFICE.
 
For the sacrifice you make each day to pursue your dreams, I honor you.