Work That Gives You Trouble

Photo by JOE Planas on Unsplash

It was Pablo Picasso who said, “Unless your work gives you trouble, it is no good.”

I know we like to believe that what we do should be effortless and fluid, that that is what makes us “professional”.

But that isn’t the reality of real success - the kind of success that leaves a mark. 

Anything worthwhile is a struggle, filled with fits and starts. It is frustrating and anxious and painful - which is, in fact, what gives it life.

We need to forget mainstream ideas of ease and comfort and effortless delivery. Those are simple explanations and rationalizations designed to make us feel better about the work we’re not doing, and the effort we’re not putting in.

Quality and impact don’t work that way.