Why Artists Need to Embrace Failure
I’m going to discuss why artists need to embrace failure. Having the ability to fail is an essential skill for any artist. In short, your work must suck for you to get better. If you’re too afraid of failure, chances are you won’t be very good at anything. The art industry can be cruel and heartless. It’s not uncommon for artists who aren’t criticized to suffer from crippling delusions about their abilities. Let’s be straight. Failure is terrifying. The idea of failing isn’t something we even like to think about, and definitely not something we actively pursue. This is what makes failure so frustrating; it can prevent us from ever trying new things because there’s always a chance you’ll fail. I’ve always viewed failure differently. I’ve never viewed it as a negative, but rather a stepping stone that will eventually lead you to success if you allow yourself to embrace it and learn from it.
Two types of failure.
There are two types of failure: the apparent and the… well, unexpected. Artists are often placed in situations where they either must meet an impossible standard or overcome an obstacle they’ve placed in their path. Regardless of how one defines success, artists must learn to embrace failure if they are going to grow as artists. Failure can be a stepping-stone to success; in fact, many great artists have failed before they achieved success.
The creative process can fail. It’s not a fluke of chance. It’s designed to.
Artists must embrace failure with humility and focus on the next take. They should learn from their mistakes and build on successes instead of dwelling on the ones they don’t like or don’t believe in. Failure is a necessary part of the creative process. It’s how we learn, grow, and improve as artists. The key is to avoid dwelling on failures and look instead toward what you learned from them. The more clearly you understand the reasons why things don’t work out the way you had planned, the easier it will be to tackle future endeavors confidently and successfully.
Artists should learn from failure because it has been and will continue to be a part of the process. Artists need to understand that as an athlete, artist, business person, or whatever they choose to call themselves, every day is going to be a learning experience whether they liking it or not. They will forget what they have learned the first day and learn it again the next. There is a saying in business “If you don’t take a risk today, you will regret it tomorrow.” The only reason not to take a risk is if you are afraid of what might happen if you do take a risk. You should always remember that every single decision you make and every action you take in your life will either make you successful or have disastrous consequences.
Failing means you’re doing it right to be successful, an artist must embrace failure.
Failure is an essential part of learning, growth, change, and innovation. It’s how you learn and grow. Failure can be scary, but it’s also an important part of growing up and learning how to work with others. Failure is an advantage for artists since it means taking a step back, reflecting on where you are, what you might need to change, and working towards the next challenge, even though you are aware that it might not be the right one. Artists shouldn’t be afraid to lose or give up their dreams. Failure is not a sign of weakness — it’s strength. Artists who don’t embrace failure are hurting themselves and their creativity. They might be working great now, but they’re not evolving as artists because they’re trapped in a plateau of mediocrity.
If you don’t know failure, you don’t know success.
Artists are often misunderstood. We’re seen as self-employed geniuses who can churn out masterpiece after masterpiece with little to no flaws. This myth needs to be busted as soon as possible. Failure is not undesirable; it’s a way to learn and improve. Artists need to embrace failure as a stepping stone to greater success. Failing at an art project doesn’t mean you should give up on your whole artistic vision; it means you need to find another way to achieve your goals.
Artists have a tremendous ability to see into the future and react to it. This makes failure a crucial part of every creative process. It’s why you see so many dreamers fail — because they’re unable to accept failure without bitterness or remorse. Learn to accept this aspect of failure and move on without being too attached to it. A successful artist doesn’t lose hope, but learns from their mistakes and grows from them.
