It’s getting harder to be good
Because ‘good’ is always being commoditized:
- Being good at sign painting came to an end when printers went mainstream. Only the best sign painters–those who add an exquisite charm to those they serve–still deserve to paint signs for others anymore.
- Being good at designing websites came to an end when drag-n-drop tools made it free. Only the best designers–those who bring a story to life rather than just decorating–deserve to design websites for others anymore.
- Being good at taking photos came to an end when smartphone cameras became ‘good enough’. Only the best photographers–those who capture emotion as well as just light–deserve to take photos for others anymore.
It has, does, and will happen to every discipline, in time. The question is, are you just ‘good’, or does your work change the rules of the game?