“Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.”

Chuck close

We’ve probably all seen this idea expressed by a lot of creative professionals because, let’s face it, people often think of what we do as something less than real work and need to be reminded. I’ve always liked the way Chuck Close expressed this because it’s so simple and direct.

First, it reminds us that work is work. It can be fun, but that doesn’t make it play. Professionals don’t have the luxury of working only when they feel like it. Imagine if your doctor or lawyer couldn’t do their job unless they were in the right mood.

Second, creative work does not require divine intervention. It’s not a gift from on high, outside of our control. We are not conduits for some mysterious force. We are professionals with skills that we practice over the course of our careers. And, like anything else that you practice, you get better at it through repetition.