Let me begin by identifying the definition of “success” from four traditional sources.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines success as the favorable or desired outcome of an attempt, or the attainment of wealth, respect, or fame. It also defines success as the satisfactory completion of something, or the gaining of prominence.
Reddit users define success as personal fulfillment, freedom, and happiness rather than just wealth or status.
Google defines success as the accomplishment of an aim, purpose, or desired outcome.
Indeed defines success more subjectively. Success is based on the achievement of specific, deliberate goals, personal targets, and finding satisfaction in work. It involves intentionality and aligning daily actions with long-term career or personal ambitions.
Personally, the “arts” needs its own definition of success. More than likely, we can all agree that those answers above, while acceptable, are generic, yet a career in the arts is anything but generic. The artists I know approach the definition of success a bit more expansively. When you think about it, it’s a lot like the word “musician;” it’s multi-faceted.
One metric used to define success in the arts is longevity. When you have sustained a career in the performing arts over a long period of time, that’s generally a good standard for measuring success. However, even though that checks a major box for the idea of success, you also have One Hit Wonders. Try to name the top five bestselling VH1’s Greatest One Hit Wonders recordings. Keep in mind this only goes back to 1985 and just for the record, I failed this test…
At #1 The Macarena,1996 Los Del Rio.
At #2 Tainted Love, 1986 Soft Cell.
At #3 Come on Eileen,1983 The Midnight Runners.
At #4 I’m Too Sexy, 1991 Right Said Fred.
At #5 Mickey. 1979 Toni Basil.
You must call those tunes and artists successful, although I would not call them classic artists, That’s the comedy because some people would.
Most serious folks in the arts would agree you need to have some skills to stay relevant in the “success” discussion; however, having skills is not always a good measure of talent. It is safe to say in the arts those two words are not synonymous.
One can view success, talent, and longevity as a collage or as independent of one another. Some may base success only on a monetary metric, and although that’s fair, the genuine artists toss that idea out the window. So, if we toss financial success out as the only standard, how do we measure the definition of success in our careers?
My first metric for success is to ask this question: Have you positively affected the lives of others through your performance, your writing, or your teaching?
Robert Baden-Powell, credited with the founding of the global scouting movement, famously said, “Try and leave this world a little better than you found it.”
If you have positively impacted another person’s life by your actions in the field of music, in my book, you are successful.
In the arts, the first metric of success should be your relationship with your craft, and craft pertains to retail too. Of course, you can be amazingly successful as an artist and yet remain broke. Just ask Vincent Van Gogh.
Too often we measure our success by only one metric- money! And while a fan of this currency thing, understand your artistic vision is Fort Knox in comparison, so leave the gate open to that creative way of thinking.
In closing, the question I always ask myself is: Am I enhancing the lives of those around me and lifting others in understanding the opportunities they may or may not see or understand. Any educator, businessperson, or artist worth any salt, should always be enhancing the creative understandings of those around them. That includes students, employees, music directors, or manufacturers.
Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats.
