Don’t Let Your Quirks Make You a Quack

We artists have a reputation for being a little different. It’s sometimes a point of pride among us. After all, who wants to be just like everyone else? It’s OK to be a little quirky, right?

Yes and no. Everyone has quirks. Those are the funny little habits, ways of talking and thinking, and a thousand other unique qualities that make up who you are. You’re not just one in a million; you’re one in about seven billion!

But here’s the thing about quirks: We should never let our “quirkiness” become an excuse for not doing our best work. The key lies in understanding the difference between quirks and character flaw.

Quirks are the peculiar little habits and oddities that make you who you are. Some examples of quirks:

• The co-worker who wears the same type of shirt every day
• The girl who has a purple stripe in her hair
• The friend who only drinks his coffee black
• The kid down the street who is obsessed with Minecraft
• The band member who is obsessed with U2 and has seen them in concert 17 times
• The cousin who likes to wear mismatched socks

Quirks are OK. They are part of your personality and can even help you be more creative. (I even have a few–OK, more than a few–myself.)

But quirks cannot replace character.

Have you ever known someone who had character flaws, but just explained them away as “being quirky”? This idea is sometimes reinforced in culture by the concept of the “artistic temperament,” which says that artists are prone to being egocentric, moody, always late, and hard to work with.

Those kinds of qualities are not quirks. Those are character flaws. Those are signs of immaturity and laziness. Those are the marks of an artist who may be an adult, but who’s acting like a child. Those are the qualities of an artist who is not ready to be a leader and operate in the real world of deadlines, limitations, and teamwork.

It’s OK to be quirky, but we should never excuse bad behavior in the name of being a “quirky artist.” You should always be authentic, never pretending to be someone you’re not. But you should be the best version of yourself—one who rises to the challenge, takes responsibility, and does such great work that others want to work with you.

Don’t let your quirks make you a quack.

This post is an excerpt from my new book The Artist’s Suitcase: 26 Essentials for the Creative Journey, which releases May 19. Stay tuned for updates about how you can join the launch team and get the book for free, along with a number of other valuable resources!

Photo courtesy of Gratisography