No matter where you come from, you still have to put in the hard work to master your craft.

Part 4/15 How to Create a Career in Art: The 10,000 Hour Grind

Creating a high profile career in fashion and lifestyle photography is gratifying, but what it took from me to get there is the real gift.

During the last ten years of creating this career, I’ve learned a few things that might be useful to the up-and-comers. In this collection of episodes I break down the process that I used to make a living with my art. These tips go beyond my world of photography and transcend into any creative venture.

The lessons can be useful if you’re into illustration, fashion design, fashion blogging, music, performing arts, writing or any other creative hustle. Think of it like the DNA of a creative professional. Think of it like the building blocks of inspiration.

This is the Fourth installment of my 15 part series on how to make a career in art.

There is always going to be a next level.

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Some things we learn in this podcast:

• The 10,000 hour grind is a crucial part of creating a career in art [1:15]
• Hustle can’t be taught – it comes from within [1:25]
• My favorite quotes about hustle [1:35]
• The 10,000 hour philosophy comes from Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers [3:15]
• The hard work includes the mental and emotional journey [3:35]
• How to balance a job and still work on your 10,000 hours [4:45]
• The possibility of a job that allows more money and less time, leaving more time for your craft [5:55]
• It takes time to get jobs that pay and then to actually make a profit from those jobs [8:15]
• You have to not only perfect your craft, but to build a business around it [8:45]
• Hitting the 10,000 hour mark or the 5 year mark doesn’t mean you get to stop grinding [9:30]
• Always grind, always hustle, always create new things [10:35]

Links mentioned:

• Learn more about Generosity Water
• I was excited to speak in Brooklyn at Adobe Creative Jam
• Read Malcom Gladwell’s Outliers
• Check out The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
• Upcoming guests on Shoptalk Radio include: Jeff Staple, Elle Luna, Jayson Gaignard
• Music credit: Wall Street by Ramzoid