Sacrificing for Your Dreams

Module by: Mark Maxey

Summary: Along our path collaboration is essential. However as an artist we don't want to get lost within collaboratino where our original goals are sacrificed. Yet sometimes we must sacrifice, compromise, for a short time to get to our desired end. This module helps us fully examine this part of the creative process.

Sometimes we have to ask for help for our dreams to come true. Once with a band, I knew I wanted to sing, but did not know how. So I had to be a rhythm guitar player while this other guy sang. By sacrificing my ultimate goal temporarily to be in a band I was able to learn what I needed. Sometimes we have to take second seat or ride in the back while we gain the experience/knowledge we need to see our own personal dream come true.

Figure 1:

I spoke recently with a friend who wanted to be in a band. What finally came out is that he really sought to form his own band to do things his way. He had a certain sound, direction and ambition. He did not need to take a second seat, he believed so strongly in what he wanted with his art, that I told him to do it on his own. For him sacrificing to be in a group would only rob him of what he wanted personally with his art. Now for him he was uniquely talented to do this. I have seen others that did not have the talent to do it themselves, or not quite yet. He was gifted with a natural talent to accomplish this undertaking.

Figure 2: One of the new Indie artists, who does things his way, and it works for him.

Joshua McBride Petty

So we must understand this balance of seeking our own goals verses joining forces. We have to be honest with our own abilities and what we can do on our own verses joining forces with others to see a dream come true. It all boils down to what we want, how talented we are to get there, and what we will lose if do or don’t join with others. These answers are never easy, but they are personal, but never right or wrong. They simply allow us to know which path to take for our art. When we spend time with other creative persons in a mutually agreed upon form, we tend to grow into the dream we desire.

Even for performance or spoken word artists in the beginning joining forces with someone will give you the mechanics needed to see your personal dream come true. The important thing is not to get lost within the group but ultimately use what you learn to do your own thing.

So if you need to join forces, what are you willing to sacrifice to do this? If we never fully understand our willingness to sacrifice, then what can happen is that we can get lost within a group goal. Never to see our own personal dreams come true. Now being part of a group is not bad, for some being part of a group is their talent. So I am not saying not to be part of a group, what I am saying is understand the trade-off factor first. If you know your factors then you can structure your time in a group more effectively. To know and understand these factors will give us the necessary information to make the appropriate choice. When we don’t know all the factors then we can not make an evaluated decision.

Figure 3:

River City Ransom

After selecting a secondary goal that is more easily obtainable through a group (like minded) can be the best way to move forward to the ultimate goal. A win-win situation.

Question: What are you willing to sacrifice with your personal goals to work/collaborate with a group? What will you gain?

Question: How will this help you reach your ultimate goal?

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This work is licensed by Mark Maxey under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 2.0).

Last edited by Mark Maxey on Jan 25, 2006 2:49 pm US/Central.