When we watch artists in action – movie stars, professional athletes, world class teachers, marketers, leaders, clergy – we get the privilege of seeing the extraordinary. They make what is otherwise difficult look seamless, integrated and pure.
It inspires most of us to go out and buy their gear – the clothes they wear, the gadget they use, the books they read, the software they access. It’s available to all of us. We are inspired and we overlay ourselves on top of them. They give us a glimpse of what is possible and inspire the artist in us.
The real art comes from what we don’t see. All art is work. It is having ten thousand repetitions when noone is watching. We don’t see this part of the artist. They do it obscurely. They do it for love. They love their art. Then they work at it like noone on the planet.
The illusion is that the art and the artist are separated, when in fact they are integrated and linked. Watching a world class salesperson perform looks easy. You can memorize the lines and use the same tools. There’s a big difference between mediocre and breathtaking. One paid a bill the other did not. It came in work, sweat, thinking and perseverance.
There’s a limit to the do-it-yourself mindset. If you are not willing to drive to the art of it all, then hire the artist. After all, the results of great and good enough are miles apart, especially in a world where the imitators, the gimmicks and the shortcuts are easily sifted and identified. It’s apparent to all of us who are looking for the real thing.
Don,
Great article. It really hones in on what is necessary to be excellent. It is easy to forget that our clients are experiencing our presentations for thie 1st time even though we may have presented it to others a thousand times.