(Dis)agreeable

Lovelies,

Art requires a level of conviction I find unsettling.

In a Muzi meeting everyone shares an opposite opinion — and I have to somehow trust myself that I have a clear vision. On a call with a co-writer I'm told the song was finished two edits ago — and I have to somehow trust myself that until my nervous system settles, something isn't right. 

I've been thinking about this ever since I had the gorgeous opportunity to interview Muzi Featured Artist, author and personality psychologist William Todd Shultz. Todd's book, The Mind of the Artist, is a how-could-you-know-that accurate exploration of "artist personality." I'd remembered the main point: artists are preturnaturally high in "openness." But I'd forgotten a searing sub-point: artists tend to score low in agreeableness.

As Todd put it to me, "To be creative you need to be a bit — or more than a bit — not nice." 

Because art is inherently subversive. Because art reveals more than is willingly shown.

Because art requires conviction, even, often, in the face of dissension.

So of course I'm stressed. I'm agreeable! Not HOPELESSLY agreeable. I can stutter an occasional "no." But agreeable ENOUGH that it renders my artist life a bumper car match between wanting to please and wanting to do right by the work.

These days I 95% choose doing right by the work. And I'd say I suffer 20% less for it. Clear progress as an artist if not a liked human.

At this point I'm not sure I have less agreeable in me. I think we've arrived. But I am finding my new awareness helpful. I'm telling myself, conviction is some of the most uncomfortable and important work I do.

Seditiously if reluctantly yours,

Rachel

Speaking of my interview with William Todd Shultz, please enjoy it here! And while you're at it, subscribe to the new Muzi YouTube channel, where I'm posting creativity interviews and insights on the regular.