The Starving Artist
This entry was posted on July 07, 2009 by Mike Robertson. It was tagged with Random.
Starving Artist
A few weeks ago, Eric Cressey was in town and our conversations were all
over the board. For two working class stiffs that spend more time in
the gym than anyone should, we obviously spend a ton of our time talking
shop – as we should.
However, we actually DO have
interests outside of the gym. Other key discussion points
include:
- Whose football team is better (The Colts, obviously)
- How to plan a wedding without making your significant other want to kill you (The answer is almost always "yes"), and
- The not-so-pleasant side effects of aging (aka development of
the “power alley”).
After two weeks, though, I still
have one term Eric used stuck in my mind: the starving artist.
You all know this guy - you probably met him in high school.
It’s the guy who is pissed because his favorite punk band just sold
out. Or later in life, the reason he’s not as successful
as his peers is because he’s a slave to his work, and not to
appeasing the masses.
There are still starving artists out there
– even within our own industry. These are the guys that think
if you are successful, it can’t possibly be because you work harder
or smarter than them. You must’ve done something immoral or
unethical to achieve any level of success.
The worst case scenario? You are actually a decent human being
AND you make a living doing what you love! The horror!
What they fail to understand is that there are plenty of overweight
people who want and need help getting into shape.
There are tons
of young athletes just waiting to work with a coach who will help them
become bigger, faster and stronger.
There are tons of older
adults who simply want to enjoy life as long as possible.
Quite
simply, there’s more than enough work to keep all of us busy for the
rest of our lives.
But the starving artist doesn’t view
life through this lens. If you get someone new into your gym, you
must’ve taken something from them to do this. Alwyn Cosgrove
refers to this as a “scarcity” versus an
“abundance” mindset.
If you’re taking the time
to read this very random post, I implore you adopt a mindest of
abundance. If you make it a life long goal to learn and apply as much
quality information as possible, you’ll never have a shortage of
clients or cash-flow in your business.
Because at the end of the
day, the only person the starving artist has to look at in the mirror is
themselves. And let’s be honest, it’s a lot easier to
blame their failures on someone else rather than admitting that their art
sucks.
Stay strong
MR
Comments For This Entry
Posted by Chase Karnes at 05:28PM on July 07, 2009
Mike,
Great stuff man! I write this sitting in a coffee shop surrounded by these "starving artist". If people would only "wake up and smell the coffee" there could be A LOT more successful people in this world (and industry).
Some people just don't get it though.
Thanks for the great content!
Chase
Posted by Bob Parr at 07:15AM on July 08, 2009
Good post! The scarcity versus abundance mindset applies to an awful lot, including the general economy. The scarcity mindset believes that the poor have to get poorer in order for the rich to get richer.
In my experience, many starving artist types have the notion that the world owes them something: it's just not fair to actually expect them to make an effort. This applies to fitness, too. All those pills/late-night exercise infomercials that promise a ripped physique with no significant investment of time or effort. It's never gonna happen!
Posted by Matt S at 01:38PM on July 08, 2009
Thanks Mike. I needed to read this.
The fitness industry is not my bread and butter, but as a professional musician I need to keep my mind set on 'abundance,' as musicians are probably some of the prime offenders when it comes to the 'scarcity' mindset!
Cheers!
Posted by JImmy Johnsom at 10:10AM on July 10, 2009
Good post Mike. A lot of folks seem to have that misanthropic, zero-sum mentality (i.e., I don't want you to succeed, even if your success doesn't harm me in anyway).
Though, maybe it does in a way. Seeing someone else in the same industry succeed makes it harder to look in the mirror and rationalize your own failures. So, "starving artists" purge their self-loathing onto others instead of spending their energy improving their life, not realizing that a quality product and success often have a pretty strong correlation. Oh well. Sucks for them.
Posted by Allie at 08:13PM on July 10, 2009
Nice post, Mike!
II'm not sure I know any "starving artist" types, but I have met numerous people, including my own family members with the "lack attitude." It's not only pervasive, but it's pessimistic -- all a recipe for someone who is never responsible for their choices and actions and only concerned about the actions of what others have "done to them."
As for me long-term and sustainable success is defined by an attitude of abundance, optimism, persistence, and ability to learn from myself and others.
Have a lovely day!
Posted by Mike Robertson at 06:49AM on July 11, 2009
James -
Again, you've been deleted. Just do us all a favor and stop posting - your sour grapes attitude isn't really welcome here.
I'm not going to defend Jimmy, but saying that Pat has nothing to worthwhile to say truly shows your ignorance. If it wasn't for Pat, IFAST wouldn't be anywhere near where it is today.
Good luck in your endeavors, but please stop using my website as a platform for your hate.
MR
Posted by Eric Troy at 10:52AM on July 11, 2009
Another great post, Mike. It's funny because I complain about that kind of person all the time. Usually it's in regards to the music snobs who basically dismiss any music that is not found in a bargain bin in a dusty old record shop.
It occurs to me that there is a whole lot of arrogance in that attitude. If you are successful on a mass scale it probably means that lots and lots of people think you are doing something right, or something that pleases them..or entertains them. Or means something to them.
So when the starving artist type dismisses the commercially successful on the grounds that they are commercially successful they are also implying that all those people are stupid! You know, "the vulgar masses".
Comment On This Blog Entry