Accounting and Expectations

Writing, Creativity and Art

It must be satisfying to have a completed project proudly on display. I am picturing a private art collection worth millions. The various pieces hanging perfectly on walls throughout the house for visitors to “ooh” and “aah” at. Each piece has a fabled story, and a price tag to match.

Seems to me that when we think up a project, it is in our human nature to be attracted to the end result rather than the steps along the way. When I think of how long it takes to actually create an art gallery of any substance, I am put off by the idea immediately and that is why I pay to look at someone else’s.

Accounting is a loaded word. It brings to mind tough exams, nerdy calculators, stiff people in white collared shirts and boring number crunching. However the concept of accounting for what I have now and what may come through the life cycle of a project is essential to any art. It forces us to be realistic. It manages our expectations.

With some accounting for what is in store, you could conceivably take a very long term view on creating your gallery of priceless art from scratch, and you would be more likely to succeed. With no accounting and managing of expectations, you’re likely to get frustrated and not even try.

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3 thoughts on “Accounting and Expectations”

  3. This is a subject I am always thinking about. We are so eager to compare ourselves to someones ‘Highlight Reel’ (that is, their success and their finished work). You never walk round a gallery seeing the amount of sweat and tears that went into the work, you don’t see how long it took them, you are always seeing the end goal. It’s easy to become disillusioned and think its unattainable to someone like you, and it’s easy for someone as talented and brilliant as them… As you say, we’re always thinking about that end goal, when it would be far better for us to think about the steps along the way and break it down into more manageable chunks.

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Accounting and Expectations

Writing, Creativity and Art

It must be satisfying to have a completed project proudly on display. I am picturing a private art collection worth millions. The various pieces hanging perfectly on walls throughout the house for visitors to “ooh” and “aah” at. Each piece has a fabled story, and a price tag to match.

Seems to me that when we think up a project, it is in our human nature to be attracted to the end result rather than the steps along the way. When I think of how long it takes to actually create an art gallery of any substance, I am put off by the idea immediately and that is why I pay to look at someone else’s.

Accounting is a loaded word. It brings to mind tough exams, nerdy calculators, stiff people in white collared shirts and boring number crunching. However the concept of accounting for what I have now and what may come through the life cycle of a project is essential to any art. It forces us to be realistic. It manages our expectations.

With some accounting for what is in store, you could conceivably take a very long term view on creating your gallery of priceless art from scratch, and you would be more likely to succeed. With no accounting and managing of expectations, you’re likely to get frustrated and not even try.

Published

3 thoughts on “Accounting and Expectations”

  3. This is a subject I am always thinking about. We are so eager to compare ourselves to someones ‘Highlight Reel’ (that is, their success and their finished work). You never walk round a gallery seeing the amount of sweat and tears that went into the work, you don’t see how long it took them, you are always seeing the end goal. It’s easy to become disillusioned and think its unattainable to someone like you, and it’s easy for someone as talented and brilliant as them… As you say, we’re always thinking about that end goal, when it would be far better for us to think about the steps along the way and break it down into more manageable chunks.

    Like

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