PASSION/ART

Quite often, the most prolific artists are those who find an intriguing  focus early in their careers and then stick with it for the long haul. When an atist becomes utterly immersed in an area of personal fascination, several important things happen: (a) work becomes play and writing is transformed into a natural expression of intellectual excitement; (b) with rather surprising rapidity, experience and cumulative contributions to the niche elevate the scholar to the status of expert; and (c) one’s publication record bears the trademarks of a genuine scholar capable of sustaining an enduring line of programmatic research.

Because it is important to make/write about what compels you and to commit to this topic for the long term, marriage—or any monogamous partnership—offers an apt metaphor for process.

During the courtship phase, often during graduate school or very early in your career, consider those questions and topics that hold the power to stir, excite, delight, and intrigue, you—ward against mere infatuations. Remember, you are looking for the real thing, love. Substitutes are mere fancies and fads. When novelty and energy decline, will the topic you have carefully chosen be enough to sustain you? Have you found a creative/ intellectual quest you just might be happy enough to “grow old” within fact, Robert Sternberg’s (1986) Triangular Theory of Love offers an interesting extension of the marriage metaphor. He hypothesized three critical vectors in any love relationship: (a) intimacy—do you feel connected and bonded to the person (or in our case, the topic) and is there a genuine desire to pursue it at all costs? (b) passion—does the topic generate sincere attraction and drive, continuing to foment excitement even after the honeymoon phase? (c) decision/ commitment—can you make a short-term commitment “to honor and love” this research niche and a long-term commitment to maintain that love as best you can? While it is true that an arranged marriage can work—witness the scores of art students who simply adopt an advisor’s research niche in order to expedite a good grade (wrong) or dissertation only to find themselves continuing the focus throughout a successful career—it is preferable to find a niche that tugs at your heart.