Make a Pact

March 28, 2025


When you choose to pursue a career in the arts, you're not just embarking on a creative journey — you're entering a long, often difficult, but ultimately fulfilling process that requires you to give more than just your time. The dreams you hold, the aspirations you nurture, and the work you create all come with a price. And that price is not always monetary — it’s measured in effort, time, patience, and sometimes, sacrifice.

Artistic goals aren’t achieved overnight. They demand countless days and nights filled with dedication, hard work, and the perseverance to keep going even when success seems distant. In the face of rejection, self-doubt, and creative blocks, the true test of an artist lies not in their technical skill but in their ability to stay committed to their vision and to themselves.

Price of Your Dreams

It’s tempting to think that the road to success in the arts is one of smooth sailing, filled with moments of inspiration and easy breakthroughs. But the reality is that every artist must grapple with challenges that test both their craft and their resolve. It’s important to understand that there’s no magic formula for artistic success. There are no shortcuts, no “quick fixes.” What there is, though, is a pact you must make with yourself. A promise that you are willing to do what it takes to see your dreams through, no matter how long or difficult the journey might be.

This promise isn’t just a fleeting thought or a passing desire. It’s a commitment — a pact that you make with yourself, vowing to go all the way, no matter the obstacles. It requires a fierce determination to keep pushing forward, even when progress feels slow or non-existent.

Promise to Yourself

In life, we often make promises to others — to our friends, family, colleagues, and mentors. We say, "I’ll do this for you," or "I’ll meet that deadline," and we honor those promises because they are a reflection of our integrity. But what about the promises we make to ourselves?

As artists, the promises we make to ourselves are perhaps the most important ones. They are the foundation of our creative journey, and they determine whether or not we are truly committed to our artistic dreams. Promises to yourself are not made lightly. They are declarations that you will put in the work, that you will prioritize your craft, and that you will persevere, no matter how difficult it may seem.

These promises are a powerful source of motivation. When the going gets tough, when you face criticism or experience setbacks, it is this pact with yourself that will keep you moving forward. You must remind yourself daily why you made this commitment in the first place — because you believe in your art, in your unique voice, and in your ability to make a difference through your creativity.

Test of Will

Every artist has moments of doubt, days when the canvas seems blank, the notes fall flat, or the words fail to come. In those moments, the temptation to quit is strong. But it’s during those challenging times that the pact with yourself becomes most important. It’s the key to pushing through, to staying in the studio, to practicing your craft, even when it feels like you’re getting nowhere.

The truth is, artistic success doesn’t come easily. It requires consistent work, the ability to embrace failure, and the strength to start over again and again. But with every challenge faced, with every rejection, with every imperfect creation, you grow. You learn. You get closer to your goals. And slowly but surely, your dreams take shape.

Following Through

There will be moments when the road gets steep, when you feel like giving up, or when you doubt that your efforts are ever going to pay off. In those moments, you need to remind yourself of the pact you made. You need to remind yourself that the greatest achievements in the arts were not earned by those who gave up at the first sign of failure. They were earned by those who refused to quit, who stayed true to their vision, and who believed, no matter what, that they could achieve greatness.

To be an artist is to live with the understanding that the journey will not always be easy. The hours may be long, the process grueling, and the results uncertain. But it is through this effort, this willingness to put in the work, that your dreams of a successful and prolific creative career can be realized.

Make a Pact

Your dreams as an artist are worth fighting for, but they are not free. The cost is high, but the reward is even greater. To achieve artistic success, you must make a pact with yourself — a promise that you will give your all, that you will not falter when the going gets tough, and that you will remain steadfast in your pursuit of creativity. It is this unwavering commitment that will ultimately lead you to a fruitful and prolific artistic career.