I’ve been posting my “No Excuses” blog for a while now, and it dawned on me last week that some of the excuses I’ve been scolding you for aren’t really excuses, but limitations, or obstacles everyone runs into in life. So I figured, I might want to take some time to reassure everyone out there that EVERYONE has their own personal limitations that prevent them from making the art, writings, or comics they want. But there’s a big difference between a limitation, and an excuse.
Let me explain:
An excuse, is a poor attempt to justify (or excuse) the fact you have given up on achieving the things you want. Usually they’re the reasons you give so that you don’t feel bad about not trying, or to rationalize being lazy. And as I’ve always said, there are only 2 acceptable excuses. 1. you honestly don’t want to do it. Much like how I honestly don’t want to be a brain surgeon. That’s my excuse for not trying to be one. 2. You’ve stopped breathing, permanently. Barring those two things, there is NO EXCUSE why you cannot be working towards your dreams or goals.
A limitation or obstacle, on the other hand, may sound like an excuse but is a very different thing. Mostly because every single person alive has them, yet somehow there are many people out there being successful.
It can be anything. Maybe you work 80 hours a week to make ends meet and don’t have much spare time to work on your art. Maybe you have become ill, and can’t really get to the drawing table. Maybe you can’t come up with a solid idea, or perhaps your drawing or writing skills aren’t very strong. The list is nearly infinite, but everyone has them.
“But Shono” you’re asking me because this is a one way media and you can’t directly communicate with me in real time, ” These sound like excuses. You’ve specifically done a “no excuses” posts on not having enough time, and not being good enough. What’s the difference? Why is a limitation okay, but not an excuse?”
Well imaginary person I’m talking to for the purpose of this blog, the difference is an excuse makes it okay for you not to try. A limitation is something that you can work around, or overcome. If you say to yourself “I’m not good enough to make a comic” and you put down the pencil and never pick it up again then you just consciously decided to fail and used “I’m not good enough” as your excuse as to why it was okay for you to fail. Reversely, you can say “I’m not good enough to make a comic.” Then proceed to study and practice and work your butt off until you ARE good enough. You didn’t make an excuse, your acknowledged your limitations, and worked hard to overcome them.
Here is another example: You could be someone who works 80 hours a week to make ends meet, but you much rather be spending 80 hours a week making comics. You can make the excuse “I just don’t have enough time to make comics.” And spend what little free time you have watching TV or playing videogames. OR you could acknowledge your extreme time limitations and fill that tiny bit of free time with making your comics, and accept the fact that it will be a slow process. But it’s okay, You’re still working towards your goal. Even if it takes 20 years to accomplish, it’s better than sitting playing videogames wishing you had more time.
I hope I’m making myself clear. We all have our limitations. We all have things that get in the way, and slow us down. It’s a part of life. Sometimes these things legitimately keep us from working on our goals for a very long time. It’s okay, it happens. Just don’t let THAT become your excuse to not even try, nor let it become your excuse to give up. You can work through it. You can overcome it. You might have to work harder than others to do that, but I’ll tell you a little secret: Those who work the hardest, stay around the longest. The lazy fall by the wayside and ultimately fail.
That is why it’s important to make the distinction between an Excuse and a Limitation. Excuse = Failure. Limitation = more hard work and dedication.
So don’t make excuses. Make comics, because our limitation are not going to stop us.
If you have an excuse that you’re struggling with and want me to help you dispel leave me a comment, or email me, and I’ll help you the best way I know how.
Tomorrow I’m going to show you some commissions I’ve been working on.
Until then you can find me around the web:
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And if you love my artwork don’t forget to pick up my comics!
And remember: Make Comics! Not Excuses!
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