Strive to be Mediocre and Succeed in Regret - Tips for Creative Improvement

lawblank
Jan 7
3 min read

Dial it in. Cut corners. “It’s the best I could do.” “That’s above my pay grade.”

Artist's Note: I wrote this blog for LinkedIn about 10 years ago. I spruced it up a little bit but the message remains consistent and relevant after all these years.

These phrases point to a quiet but pervasive acceptance: that we are what we are, and we can only go so far. I’ve been a self-inflicted victim of that mindset for many years.

Not because I lacked talent—but because of the usual culprits: too little time, too little energy, too little inspiration. When those stack up, it becomes easy to coast on whatever level of ability you currently have and call it “good enough.”

That, I’ve learned, is a mistake.

What Motivates You to Create?

We all create for different reasons. Some people simply love the act itself—the feel of a brush, the freedom of letting whatever comes out come out. I get that. Not everyone needs a defined outcome or dreams of acclaim, big shows, museum acquisitions, or cultural relevance.

I don’t either.

But it dawned on me that my personality—shaped by humble beginnings and a long trail of mistakes—doesn’t allow for complacency. I’m driven to push harder, daily. I move through my day mentally cataloging what I want to accomplish, both now and long-term. And when I sit idle—watching a movie, doing nothing—I feel a weight. Not exhaustion. Guilt.

Early on, that drive produced work. Decent work. Some pieces were thoughtful and intentional; others were half-formed ideas executed just well enough to be tolerated. Looking back, that period feels like a colossal waste of time.

Dress for the Work You Want

There’s a saying: “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.”

In art, the same principle applies—but your suit is the work you make.

So what do you want your art to do?

Sit in a closet?
Be gifted to family (who will always tell you it’s amazing)?
Hang in coffee shops and bookstores?
Be used for teaching?
Show in local or regional galleries?
Travel internationally?
Make you an art rockstar (pissing contests with Damien Hirst and Banksy)?

Your answer determines the suit you need to wear.

And there’s a difference between a suit from Men’s Warehouse and a Stuart Hughes Diamond Edition. That difference is effort—measured in investment, reflection, desire, and above all, hard work. Nothing comes for free. And the cost of not being mediocre is real.

The Turn: When You Finally Value Your Work

“We cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves.”

— Malcolm X

This isn’t the part with epiphanies and rainbows and unicorns dancing through marshmallow fields (that was Willy Wonka). My turn was slow. Quiet. Almost unnoticeable. It came with false starts, frustration, and long stretches of doubt.

At some point, I sat down and wrote a set of rules—my own guidelines for becoming a legitimate artist:

Show your work to people more talented than you, and whose opinions you respect
Never assume there is nothing left to learn
Practice relentlessly—everything
Tell compelling stories, even when they’re uncomfortable
Write down your goals and track your progress
Fail miserably, and learn from it
Repeat daily: “I am satisfied with the work I’ve done—but I can do better.”

That last one needs context. Perfection is impossible. But the pursuit of your personal version of it is not. The goal isn’t self-punishment—it’s avoiding complacency. You have to recognize mediocrity when it shows up in you and actively fight it.

If you do that—consistently, with a healthy mindset—you will see progress.

This has been my path, and I’m committed to it. I genuinely love the work I’m making now, and the focus on quality and improvement has produced results I never expected. That alone is exciting.

Love what you do and you can’t go wrong.

Love what you do and how you do it, and you’re golden.

Tell me how you keep yourself on track—or tell me this is complete nonsense. I’d honestly love to hear either.

Cheers,

~ Law