Are You Ready To Pay the Full Cost of Your Ambition

“Roosevelt was about to become an explorer in the truest, and most unforgiving, sense of the word. It was an opportunity he had dreamed of from his earliest childhood. Now, however, he realized that he would be called on to pay the full cost of his ambitions - and he found himself gravely unprepared for what might lie ahead” The River of Doubt, Candice Millard.

The content of this newsletter will cover the philosophy behind the quote about and how it connects to being a creator. I hope you enjoy and take something away from this as an artist or art enthusiast. As artists, creators, or just as individuals, we all have ambitions. Oftentimes we view these as so far down the road that it feels like a fantasy. But it is important to be ready and grateful for the opportunity to live the life we have dreamed of living. 

Breaking Down the Quote

"Roosevelt was about to become an explorer in the truest, and most unforgiving, sense of the word."

• Exploration: venturing into the unknown, pushing boundaries. As artists we are all explorers, constantly pushing boundaries and venturing into the unknown.

"It was an opportunity he had dreamed of from his earliest childhood."

• Lifelong dreams: We are pursuing passions that have been with us since childhood.
• The importance of ambition and aspiration.

"Now, however, he realized that he would be called on to pay the full cost of his ambitions."

• Realizing the cost: Understand the sacrifices and challenges that come with pursuing one's dreams.
• The weight of ambition: how big dreams often require significant effort and resilience.

"He found himself gravely unprepared for what might lie ahead."

• Unpreparedness: It is normal to have the feeling of being unready despite having big dreams.
• The unexpected: dealing with unforeseen challenges and learning as you go.

Being an Artist

Exploration in Art:

• Like Roosevelt, creators explore new ideas, techniques, and mediums.
• There is great importance in pushing boundaries and venturing into the unknown.

Lifelong Dreams:

• Many artists and creators have a passion that starts in childhood.
• Dreams evolve and manifest in one's work.

The Cost of Ambition:

• Creating art or content often requires sacrifices, whether it's time, money, or personal comfort.
• Are you ready to pay the cost of what you’ve been dreaming about?

Feeling Unprepared:

• The common experience of feeling unready despite having the passion.
• You must overcome these feelings and continue pursuing one's craft.

Next time you are stuck in your work, searching for inspiration, or feeling unsatisfied in the creative life you get to live, I encourage you to think of yourself, the little kid, who dreamed of having the opportunity you now have today. Then ask yourself this, are you ready to pay the full costs of your ambitions?