The artist says, "that sounds like business, and I want nothing to do with it. It will corrupt me and make me think small."
The businessperson says, "art is frightening, unpredictable and won't pay."
Because the artist fears business, she hesitates to think as big as she could, to imagine the impact she might be able to make, to envision the leverage that's available to her.
And because the businessperson fears art, she holds back, looks for a map, follows the existing path and works hard to fit in, never understanding just how vivid her new ideas might be and how powerful her art could make her.
There's often a route, a way to combine the original, human and connected work you want to do with a market-based solution that will enable it to scale. Once you see it, it's easier to call your bluff and make what you're capable of.
Art fears business fears art
This quote from Seth Godin's blog got me thinking about a clear advantage you have as a charity, non profit, NGO, cause....
You are not a business, though people often advise you to act more like one and you are not an artist although the there are similarities there in terms of ethos, passion, commitment and not wanting to act, or at least appear to act, too 'businessy'.
So this happy medium, this golden place Seth is talking about as a route to success is your starting point.
Thanks @taravrussell for the link this morning.
