• Home
  • About
  • Online Academy
  • Work with me
  • Blog
    • Home
    • Work
    • Life
    • Self Care
    • Food & Recipes
    • Making Space
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS

Rosy Blu

Home. Life. Work. Ease.

Remember this: The key to success in your creative work

October 9, 2017 by Michelle Leave a Comment

Remember This is a periodic blog series of thoughts, quotes and inspiration that I want to remember—and you might, too. Things I’ve learned about life so far, and don’t want to forget (like my human brain has a tendency to do). You can view the all the posts in the series here.

I’m sharing this quote on the blog today not only because it’s inspired me time and again, but also because I’ve shared it with so many of my clients who are working to create something new in their life—a business, a craft, even the perfect living room. It helps me to articulate something that I’ve found to be true about starting any creative endeavor. I’m not going to give it all away, because Ira says it much better, but please remember this quote the next time you’re tempted to give up on an idea because your results aren’t matching the vision in your mind.

To have this quote read to you, watch this video.

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know it’s normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”

Ira Glass

Note to those who don’t know him, Ira Glass is the creator of This American Life, a fantastic podcast that I love so much and highly recommend.

This idea is closely related to the idea that it takes 10,000 hours of working at a particular skill before achieving mastery (which I first heard about from Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers). Whenever that thought depresses me or I think I have too far to go, I like to listen to this song by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

I’d love to hear what inspires you when it feels like your creative journey is taking too long! Leave a note in the comments or email me.

 

Like what you’re reading?

Subscribe to get new blog posts delivered to your email.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Hi there, I'm Michelle. I'm a writer, designer and founder of Rosy Blu Academy (where I offer tools, guides and courses to create more ease in your home, work and life). I specialize in creating and teaching flexible organizational systems. I’m on a mission to help people create more space and intention in their lives, and to take better care of themselves so they can take better care of the world around them. Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS

Subscribe

Join the Rosy Blu mailing list for more ease + less effort in your home, work and life.

Hello!

I’m Michelle. I design organizational systems to harmonize your home, your life and your brand.

I like to talk about life balance, creative expression, food and beautiful things. How about you? Read More…

Archives

Instagram

pretty. pretty.
New hobby = colored pencils (This is from the #go New hobby = colored pencils

(This is from the #goldenratiocoloringbook )
I wish I could share the SCENT it is intoxicating. I wish I could share the SCENT it is intoxicating.
First fire of the season with my baby girl 🔥 First fire of the season with my baby girl 🔥
In other news, I've officially given up bras. In other news, I've officially given up bras.
Instagram post 17872074805619102 Instagram post 17872074805619102
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Home
  • About
  • Online Academy
  • Work with me
  • Blog
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · Terms & Conditions · Ahem, I make websites

Let's chat!
Let's chat!