Three Things Ed Sheeran Taught Me About Creative Mastery
Once you know you’re obsessed with a topic or field the only thing you need to do is commit!
Jammed into the MCG with 107,000 other people at Ed Sheeran’s record-breaking Melbourne concert, I couldn’t help thinking about how he got to that moment.
What was it that took him to that stage and not me, or you?
Well, I don’t have Ed’s musical talent for one, and you probably wouldn’t be reading this if you did (just a hunch).
But, how can we stop dabbling at the edges of success and become a master of our own art?
Luckily, Ed Sheeran shared some insights in between songs that we can apply…
Lesson One: Commitment
In the words of Tim Denning…
Once you know you’re obsessed with a topic or field the only thing you need to do is commit!
And commit, Ed Sheeran did. He started writing songs from the age of 11 and is continuously writing songs to this day. Despite his successes, Ed’s daily or weekly practice still involves writing, writing, writing. Always creating and never knowing when the next ‘hit’ will come along.
Once you find the ‘thing’ you love doing, being obsessed with it doesn’t feel like work. You do it because you love it.
But even when you love something, things can get in the way.
‘Boring’ everyday things like going to work, and looking after family, etc.
But Tim Denning doesn’t mince words on this, ‘the majority of people don’t want to be at work. They’re there because they don’t know where else to be’.
Oof!
That’s a kick in the guts.
But maybe it’s one you need!
If you know what your obsession is, all that’s left to do is commit! Even if it means opting out of things, and spending time at work, after work, and on weekends mastering your creative practice.
Lesson Two: Collaboration
Although it sounds tedious if you’re an introvert (like me), collaboration can elevate your creative output to places you had never imagined.
Immersing yourself in your industry, talking to likeminded people about ideas and challenges, and creating stuff together is the ultimate when it comes to professional development.
This doesn’t mean you can’t create things on your own.
Collaborating on some pieces and maintaining a solo practice in others can enrich many aspects of your work.
And I get it, I prefer to just do things by myself too. It’s easier!
I need to get into a state of deep focus to produce my best photography work, but it’s other photographers and artists who provide inspiration and challenge me to take my work to new places.
So making the effort to get out (virtually or IRL) and connect with other creators is a non-negotiable!
Lesson Three: It Takes Time
Another story Ed shared in between songs was that the idea for the MCG concerts was first suggested to him by the late Michael Gudinsky of Mushroom Records and Frontier Touring eight years ago.
That’s eight years of planning, thinking and then executing this massive event (with a huge team of people) to make it happen, twice.
But even on a smaller scale, brilliant successes don’t happen overnight.
It’s tempting to look for a quick fix or formula for creating a successful piece of art or media in today’s internet age.
But, a long-term obsession with your art is what it takes.
No quick fixes or short-cuts.
I said there were three lessons, but something else Ed Sheeran said during his concert stayed with me…
…this really is the stuff dreams are made of!
After years of obsession, collaboration, and consistent hard work, he was in complete awe of being able to live his dream by performing for so many people in a sold-out venue.
Ed was truly in-the-moment and his energy and gratitude were infectious!
So, I’m committed to obsessing and collaborating around my creative practices for as long as it takes, and I hope you will too!
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