This Ain't For You, This Be For My Health

After reading Sam Altman's post How To Be Successful today this section stood out to me.

The most successful people I know are primarily internally driven; they do what they do to impress themselves and because they feel compelled to make something happen in the world.

It got me thinking about my own motivations. Why do I choose to spend time making stuff? Why do I choose to spend time writing? There's no money from it (yet), or fame, or recognition. Is it just in hopes of those things or is it an internal drive?

While I hope to live off my vocation in the future I think that's not the sole motivation. In the past, I've found that when I'm not creating it feels like something's missing. When school or work has had me stressed my own projects have kept me sane.

There's an internal build-up of ideas and creative energy that grows when I'm not creating. At times I'll direct it towards a random idea just to get it out. Of course, it's easy to misdirect that energy but it's an amazing relief to put it to use.

I think this feeling is the internal drive Sam describes. It's an innate burning desire to do something. It's an indescribable lack of fulfilment when you're not doing that thing. It's a feeling I believe everyone has for a specific thing but finding that thing is a challenge. When you do, the motivations are clear, you do it for your own sanity.

"This Ain't For You Man, This Be For My Health" - Asher Roth