Your Reason To Create
“For me, the greatest drug of all is creation because… you get the same kick… your brain gives you feedback… When you create, all of a sudden you get a little endorphin buzz”
- Robin Williams on “Inside the Actor’s Studio”
It’s important for you to ask yourself why you want to create. Everyone who creates has a motivation behind them. Generally speaking, one reason is as good as another, as long as it resonates deeply within you. However, when you know exactly what the reason is that drives you, you’ll be able to plan most accordingly.
Do you want to create for the money? Some people who create get paid a lot of money. For example, even at the lower end of the spectrum, professional screenwriters get paid very good money, at least compared to the average entry level “regular job”. When the bills have to be paid, and you’re looking for a career change, you may be willing to try ANY new skill in order to get that peace of mind. For a lot of people, financial gain is the best motivator that they can possibly have. There isn’t anything wrong with being motivated by money, so don’t let anyone tell you that there is.
But maybe you’re not motivated by money. Maybe you’re looking for self fulfillment. Some of us have a natural drive to create art and share it with others. Personally, I tend to fall into this category. My motivation isn’t to make a lot of money with my creations, but my wish is to make enough money from my creations so that I can continue to create as my primary source of income without an outside job to distract me from it. I enjoy providing value to other people. For example, I enjoyed my $5.15 an hour job stocking groceries much more than my $8.50 an hour job at a TV station, because I was able to personally make a difference in people’s day. The ability to spend all the time I want providing value to other people doing what I love is what motivates me.
Are you working to further a cause? This generally falls under the category of protest. Ask yourself if you would continue to create if your goal was reached. If the answer to that question is “no” then your reason is probably to further a cause. You may have decided to take up videography as a way to promote your political beliefs. On the entry level, there are free services such as YouTube to get your message out. And if it is a solid message, the amount of money you invest into it is not relevant.
Do you want to create out of boredom? Is there nothing better to do than to put something intriguing into circulation? If this is the case, then my next question would be “How are you going to convince people to become emotionally involved with your creation if it’s possible that you may lose interest later?” Do you actually feel passionate about your creation? If not, why should anyone care about something that you feel indifferent toward? Some people may tell you that it’s not worth doing if your heart isn’t 100% in it. However, I feel that ultimately, nothing lasts forever anyway, so go for it! Who knows, you may end up enjoying the act of creation more than you anticipated, and it may turn into a career for you.
Whatever your reason is, make sure that you know it from the very beginning, and always remember it. Write it down, and tape it to the bathroom mirror if you have to. Whatever you do, always know what your goal is, and why it is such. This will help you to have a sense of purpose in what you are doing, and allow you to stay focused on what drives you as a human being. We all have an inner calling, and we must strive to find our role on this planet, to provide value to others in a way that leaves us fulfilled.
As long as your reason is sincere, you can rest assured that it is a good reason. If your reason to create is sincere, then it will give you motivation. Whatever motivates you to create action is a good motivator. That is the sign of a good reason to create.
