The Danger of Copying Oneself: Lessons from Pablo Picasso

Success is something we all crave. The feeling of accomplishment and achievement is incredibly satisfying, but it can be dangerous. Once we achieve success, it’s easy to slip into a routine of repetition, doing what worked before instead of innovating and trying new things. This idea is exemplified perfectly by the famous artist and innovator, Pablo Picasso.

Picasso’s Story

Pablo Picasso was an incredibly innovative artist who constantly pushed the boundaries of what was possible in art. He was incredibly successful in his lifetime and left behind a legacy of groundbreaking work that has inspired countless artists. Despite this, Picasso often struggled with the danger of success.

One anecdote about Picasso illustrates this perfectly. As he was leaving a museum one day, an old woman recognized him and confronted him. She took out her sketchbook and begged him to draw a picture for her. As he began to draw, a crowd gathered around to watch. After a few seconds, Picasso finished the drawing and handed it to the woman.

The woman was shocked and asked him how he could have drawn such a beautiful sketch in just a few seconds. Picasso responded, “Madame, it took me my entire life.” This story shows just how much hard work and dedication went into Picasso’s success, and how important it was to keep pushing himself to create new things.

The Danger of Success

The danger of success is that it’s easy to become complacent. Once you’ve found something that works, it’s tempting to keep doing it over and over again. However, this can lead to creative sterility, a lack of inspiration, and ultimately, failure.

When you copy yourself, you become stagnant and uncreative. You limit your potential and become predictable. This is especially dangerous in industries where innovation and creativity are highly valued, like art, music, and technology.

The Importance of Innovation

To avoid copying yourself, it’s important to constantly innovate and try new things. This can be difficult, as it requires stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking risks. However, the rewards can be great.

Some examples of companies that have successfully innovated and avoided copying themselves include Apple, Tesla, and Airbnb. These companies have disrupted their respective industries by taking risks and thinking outside the box.

For artists, it’s important to constantly challenge yourself and try new techniques and ideas. This can be scary, as it can feel like you’re starting from scratch. However, it’s essential for growth and progress as an artist.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the danger of success is something that everyone should be aware of. The temptation to rest on your laurels can be strong, but it’s important to keep pushing yourself and trying new things. To avoid copying yourself, focus on innovation and creativity, and don’t be afraid to take risks.

Remember, as Pablo Picasso said, “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” By innovating and pushing ourselves creatively, we can continue to create beautiful, meaningful art that inspires and moves us.

Practical Tips:

• Try something new every day, no matter how small.
• Take risks and embrace failure as a learning opportunity.
• Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you.

“Success is dangerous. One begins to copy oneself, and to copy oneself is more dangerous than to copy others. It leads to sterility.” – Pablo Picasso