#133 - 22nd August 2024 - Fanatic Dedication

I‘m a bit tired. After tomorrow, I will have a week of vacation in front of me. And I need it.

Due to health reasons, we cancelled our studio session today.

And with me running on low energy, this was even welcome.

But I flipped through the Rick Rubin book and stopped at this section called „The Possessed“.

Coming with my job, I have a general sensation for the question which factors drive success - in the many aspects that „success“ could be defined in. Particularly, I‘m fascinated by trying to decode what makes a successful organization.

And while aspects of that are also relevant when looking at artists - after all every artist needs a group of people at some point, even if it‘s just their lawyer or tax consultant - artists at their core, are more often singular entities.

Even most successful bands rely on just one, maybe two driving forces, backed by a group of supporters i.e., their band members.

I don’t bring research with me. But my subjective observation is that great artists (and entrepreneurs, and athletes…) have something that I call „fanatic dedication“.

Further, in my subjective observation, this dedication often stems directly from childhood (trauma). There is something in them that propels them in a specific direction, relentlessly, no matter the cost. The thin line between genius and madness.

In the context of a musician complaining that he had to do social media on top of making music, too, I stumbled upon the reply countering with the sentence:„It takes what it takes“.

That sentence, in its simplicity, carries the truth of the market, the competition. If you‘re not willing to invest what it takes, someone else is right next to you who will.

And while I also believe in „work smart, not hard“ - this will only get you so far. Of course, that might be just enough and just right for what one is after. But don‘t expect the world from throwing only half your weight in the ring.

I like reading or watching biographies/biopics. Usually, you see exactly that in there: Fanatic dedication, buffed by chance and opportunity. The „return on luck“ factor is not to be underestimated.

With that realization, you begin to look at your own actions and the actions of the people around you in a different way.

Whom to work with? Where is the fertile ground and dedication to a goal that makes it worth your time and emotional investment?