As creators, we tend to waste a lot of time early in our careers trying to make work we think others want from us.

The truth, however, is that nobody wants anything from us. In fact, they don’t care about us at all.

As Steven Pressfield writes, “Nobody wants to read your shit.”

But while the chances are that no one wants anything from us, there are some creators from whom a given audience actually does want something specific.

The irony is that these are creators who have bucked the notion of catering to expectations, basing their work on a perceived desire, and created something with a singular voice. Work that no one else can create.

We don’t want a new band we’ve never heard of to make music that sounds like our favorite band.

We want our favourite band to make more new music.

Realizing that there are no expectations of us frees us to stop chasing the latest trend and simply create what comes naturally.

With enough time and persistence, we may be lucky enough to develop our own singular voice and an audience that wants it and only it.

But until then–in fact especially then–better to ignore the expectations and desires of others, and create what only you can create.

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