There’s No Ladder for Creative Success

‘Fulfilling your potential’ can be a self-defeating myth

Illustration: Sammy Stein

From a very early age, I had a Path. I was going to be an Artist. And who was an artist? She was fiercely talented, ambitious, and uncompromising. She bucked convention. Her emotions were deep and profound, and the world clamored for her to share them. Back then, making it as a professional violist…