Are you making a difference?

It’s important to feel you make a difference in the world. So let’s talk about why your work needs to make a difference in the world.

It can be hard to get out of bed in the morning knowing most people don’t appreciate what you do. Especially for creatives, because it’s our ideas, our emotions that speak through every line, brushstroke, and pixel — inviting judgment from everyone who views it. But I believe we should, as creative individuals, rise above this. We have a responsibility to not only produce work that makes an impact on people’s lives but also to be the difference we wish to see in others.

I want my work to enrich people’s lives. I want others to look at what I do and say, “Wow.” I want to have a purpose behind what I do. So when you go to make something or create something, ask yourself… is this worth making? Is it worth doing? Is it worth sharing? If the answer is no… then you should rethink what you’re doing.

For one, as a human being and an artist, you will have a natural desire to create something that matters. You want to create something with meaning and purpose. You want to show people beauty because you believe that they need it in their lives. You want to provide something of function to help ease someone’s every day.

You will find that if you set out to do something with excellence, then the path will clear for you, and success will follow. Success is knowing that you have improved someone’s life. Success is knowing that you made someone’s life better.

We all have a voice and we all have something unique to share with the world. And it comes down to how much you care about your work, how much you love what you make, and whether or not it actually means something. You have to care for your work enough that it means something and enough to understand that there are people out there who will appreciate your work as much as you do.

You have to find a purpose for what you make if you want it to matter in the end.