Maybe the reason you started a creative project is you’re curious to try it. Curiosity was the starting point.

Eventually you’ve learned to love it. And you want to become the best of it.

Because being the best could make you famous. Being famous could mean more opportunities. And more opportunities could mean more money. Maybe.

Now this time, you unconsciously change the reason why you’re doing it. Instead of curiosity, you’re now doing it to compete with others. Worse you’ve become envious of others’ success.

Of course you want to be the best. You want others to recognize you. That’s the goal. Nothing’s wrong with that.

Point is:

Don’t forget to pay attention to what you feel.

If it’s making you feel bad, then you lose sight of the true reason why you started it. Feeling bad could mean there’s no joy anymore and you’re disconnected from your purpose.

Since your feelings (emotions) are your driving force, it would be hard for you to continue doing it. That’s the reason most people give up their creative projects as they grow older.

They somehow lost the excitement along the way. They forgot the magical force that used to drive them — curiosity + love + excitement.

Examine how you feel about your creative projects: Do you really feel good working on them, even if it wouldn’t lead you to fame or money?

If yes, that’s a good place to be.

If not, catch yourself and reflect.

Let’s try this question instead: How do you feel about the process of creating/doing it?

If the process alone makes you feel good, then that’s enough.

In the end, it’s all about appeasing your curiosity, doing what you love, being excited, and having fun — all of these combined can make you feel good.