Note: This article is based on the work of the writer Isa Adney, in which she tells us about the failed experiences that creators and geniuses go through before producing outstanding creative works.
This passion began when I read the following quote by American radio host Ira Glass:
“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 have gone 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've got to know it's normal. 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.
Only by going through a volume of work will you 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 going to take a while. It’s normal to take a while. You’ve just got to fight your way through.”
Failing to Success
My interest grew in this pre-success stage. I was ready to do what it took and keep creating and innovating with utmost resolve, hope, passion, and enjoyment until I experienced a major failure.
Then I realized why, according to Glass's quote, some people fail to get past this stage. They give up because the stage is too hard for them, not because they need more creative potential or abilities. Therefore, one must realize that failure is an inevitable and natural stage to achieve success ultimately.
I failed to overcome this stage and tried to give up. I wanted to surrender from the bottom of my heart because of the pain and frustration I felt at that time. Nothing is harder than working and striving for an uncertain and unguaranteed future.
Glass's quote inspired me to keep up my diligence, work hard, and have faith in a bright future in which I will reach the required creativity level.
There were moments when I doubted my capacity to fulfill my goals and felt unworthy and untalented. I believed I was untalented and would never be able to be as creative as I needed to be.
Unexpected Events' Shifts
When I start to doubt my abilities and talents, I try to find inspiration elsewhere. During a period of intense self-doubt, I decided to go to the Disney Expo at my friend's recommendation. It is a biennial fan convention that shows trailers for upcoming movies and is attended by prominent guests and stars.
I spent hours in line with other fans, fully immersing myself in the convention. On the first day, I stood in the blazing sun for a few hours before being allowed inside.
By the end of the convention, I felt exhausted. So, I chose to take my time and enjoy myself instead of standing in line. Then, I decided to return to my room for a calm lunch.
Suddenly, I overheard a woman saying that American actor Josh Gad would be at the convention this afternoon. Although I was late to join the queue, I am a huge fan of Gad. He has been part of several beloved movies and shows, like Frozen and Beauty and the Beast.
Gad worked so hard for many unsuccessful or canceled TV shows and movies. However, only a few knew about these rejected projects or the hard work Gad put into them. He endured a string of setbacks before attaining success and participating in projects that matched his ambitions. This is why I became interested in his personality and wanted to know more.
Seeking Inspiration During Times of Failure
I decided to join the queue three hours before the session instead of returning to my room. I wanted to feel Gad's presence in the room, close to me. I refused to observe him from the rear seats.
When I finally reached the underground waiting area, I felt as though my behavior was illogical and unreasonable. I realized that I was seeking the inspiration needed to overcome failed experiences and achieve success. I hoped these creators' words would inspire me to keep working hard and advancing.
I stayed in the waiting area until the session time. Then we entered the conference hall, where I sat far away from the stage in the back rows, not knowing what would happen.
Failure Is a Success’s Must
Gad and American singer-actress Kristen Bell both appeared on stage, stealing the show and delighting everyone.
Later, songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez joined them. They impressed the audience and imparted insightful lessons about creativity, failure, and success. These brave creators dared to discuss the songs that directors rejected and didn’t make it into the movies. They shared stories of their failures before ultimately achieving success. They even presented all the rejected songs.
Producing So Many Creative Works
When it comes to her songwriting process, American singer Taylor Swift states in an interview that she writes between 40 and 50 songs but only selects 13 to 14 of them to be released and published. Much time and effort goes into the final song selection and filtering process.
When I listened to songwriters Kristen and Robert talk about the years that they spent working on Frozen's songs and the times they struggled to create and innovate, I couldn't help but think of Taylor Swift's comment that working on a music album could take up to two years. The composers spoke about the songs the directors turned down and the repeated failures they faced.
I listened to their talk and felt the pain they experienced when their work was rejected, and they had to compose new songs. I felt the disappointment and pain associated with the editing, revising, and filtering processes before selecting the final songs.
The Editing Process Pain
Although all creative sources and personalities confirm that editing processes are required to produce exceptional creative works, many creators tend to keep the pain of editing procedures to themselves for the following reasons:
- The artist blames their pain on their inability to create art as they should.
- The creator finds it difficult to express these emotions, or they try not to think about or remember them in favor of emphasizing the good things.
- The creator fears doing the creative work poorly.
Accepting Failure to Achieve Success
As the Oscar-winning composers spoke on stage, I could feel their pain. Realizing their repeated failures before success gave me the inspiration I needed. They were more prepared to tackle rejection and failure as they set out to produce a new set of creative works. As I listened to their speech, I experienced an unmatched enthusiasm, and I comprehended it in a way that provided me with the inspiration and drive I required.
When the composers presented the rejected songs, it became evident that they shared some similarities with the songs featured in the movie. Consequently, the rejected songs helped the composers win an Oscar.
It is natural for artists to create pieces that are unsuitable for usage, publication, or commercial success. Geniuses occasionally have to throw away their artistic creations and start over, so a brilliant artist is someone who has the guts to try again after every failure.
Prominent creative works like the song "Let it Go," which American singers Taylor Swift and Idina Menzel performed live on stage at a music festival in Florida, are the result of this resolve and determination. The performance was enthusiastic, joyful, and inspiring to the utmost degree, and I sang along with them like I never had before.
In Conclusion
It is extremely difficult to bounce back from failure and try to create something new, but it is essential to success. As a result, world-class exhibitions, conferences, and parties have been enriched by the creation of masterpieces and extraordinary creative works. Creative and artistic works are the fruit of a long time of diligence, failure, and repeated attempts before they reach the required level and are released to the public.
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