Artistry is a fluid path, there are no set guidelines to becoming successful as opposed to becoming a doctor. That path is pretty laid out, get good grade in school, go to a good university, apply and go to medical school, do your residency, become a doctor. Following those perfectly laid out steps will land you where you want to be, but not for artists.
There is no direct path, or one way that works for everyone. So how does one succeed? As Jeff Olson says in The Slight Edge "The fastest way to success is by doubling your rate of failure". This is because we can't know what will work or not work, until we try it for ourselves. What may have worked for one person may not work for another, or anyone else. What works for you may only work just for you, and it takes experimentation to find that. It takes courage to do what your intuition tells you, not your parents, teacher, or a book tells you.
Failing feels pretty gross though, it's not easy for the ego to take constant hits and have nothing to show for it. So how does an artist continue after failing? Containers. A container is an organized group of people who have a specific goal in mind but a flexible way of achieving that goal. There are usually mentors and resources for participants to benefit from, and the reflection of their peers as well. This provides the artist with prompts to keep trying new things, and a community of support if they don't work out.
I am currently in two containers, one is a mastermind of successful women who are extremely motivating and have endless networks and resources. The other is a formal school program at Capilano University called Arts & Entertainment Management. Both of these containers have deeply informed and supported my journey as an artist currently.
The mastermind is so much fun to be in. I have met so many inspiring women who motivate me to keep going through the hard parts. There is a book club that has opened me up to audio books and brough some incredible books into my world that have changed the game, The Slight Edge being one of them. This mastermind has less of a direct impact on my artistry, but I believe that simply by being in this container, I have found endless reserves of passion and motivation to keep going. This is invaluable.
My school container is a bit more structured, with deadlines, and assignments. But it has proven as well invaluable to my current success. I am required to submit weekly journals, detailing my daily tasks, reflections, and progress. There are forum posts to engage with as we analysis industries on a larger scale, and there are assignments that prompt me to create the foundation of my projects.
We are currently in our last semester of school and this involves us taking on internships or personal projects. I did an internship last semester at a music management company which was exciting! But this semester I have chosen to do a personal project; which is creating my first song and music video.
I feel so grateful to be in a traditional school program that lets me be so flexible in creating what I want. This program is providing me check points for reflection, guidelines on creating budgets, marketing plans, and grant applications. I feel like I can take what I am learning and apply it directly to what I am doing.
I just spent this morning preparing the drafts for my projects and assignments. I feel very confident that I am supported in this journey, and even if it fails, I will have learned so much! I think in that way, there is no way to fail as it will all become a lesson.
Are you in any containers? How have they supported you in your journey? Would love to hear your thoughts!