I’ve been taking a hard look at what I’m doing with my art, and what I want to be doing with it. I know my mission/purpose — that has never changed — but how do I measure whether I’m fulfilling that? How do I measure success if it’s not a monetary or sales-based goal?
We have this pervasive idea in our culture that, if you’re good at something, you ought to find a way to make money with it. And to that I say: why???
Entrepreneurial spirits and good work ethics are commendable, but financial growth is not the only motivating factor or measurement of success.
So how else can you measure whether you are fulfilling your God-given mission as a creative?
As a Christian, this question requires a very particular response — and that is to glorify God. But specifically, what does ‘glorifying God’ look like for creative endeavors? Does it have to equal sales or business growth — or can it be more nebulous, like encouraging X number of people or creating X number of hours for ministry needs? If the latter, then what concrete measurements can we use as standards to know that we are fulfilling our purpose?
Here are some ideas I’ve come up with:
- Sharing your work regularly with proper motivation, online or in person
- Engaging with others and encouraging them to pursue their God-given creativity
- Keeping your priorities in the right order, and faithfully tending to your own spiritual growth
- Continually working to improve your creative skill as a good steward of God’s gift
How do you measure success in your God-given creative roles? I’d love to hear your thoughts!