Oh, For the Love of …, Should we Monetize Everything?!

I suppose not.

In the realm of creativity, where shall one find the value of good work? Within the praises of others? In utter satisfaction of your audience? Or the thought process you got to unlock? 

Yes, we write, paint, and craft for the people. But is that the marker of our value? Does that put the right standard and value in our work? Why can’t we keep doing some of the things for the love of them, though? Just for the hell of creating. If life was to be bound with the flares of the return on investment, do you suppose we would’ve gotten this far?

People drive their inspiration ubiquitously. Some find it lodged beneath the layers of self doubt proving the worth of their craft. Others may find it on the rims of their ego making them suppose to have produced the best there is. (It might or might not be the case every time.) And others create to appease the god of creativity embedded within their soul. I am not bounding the types of people into three, nor am I conceding to know how the mind of a creative works. Yet, there are common mantras that almost all creatives suffer through.

Monetizing has its perks. (more than perks.) Nobody wants to become a hungry artist in this day and age, that’s for sure. But it has significant quirks, as well. For some, if not for most, the moment money becomes the center/goal of their creativity, it reduces the quality of work they produce. For instance, if you tell someone to create a design without leaving any room for creativity, they feel handtied to your orders. After all, the order (getting paid for the work) is on the line. But, imagine this scenario a little different from the first. What if you go to your designer and tell him your ideas and ask what he makes of them? What if you tickle his creative mind to add insight? What if you get him to co-create with you? I bet you already know where I am getting at.

Passion, integrity, and creativity thrive together. One cannot survive without the other. And if monetizing your work is hindering your integrity, ruining your creativity, and averting your passion, that is probably an SOS call for you to take a pose and reconsider. For money could devalue your worth rather than nurture it. Just monetize carefully. All could be good in time!