Do the work for yourself

This hits hard.

Will we do what we’re doing if we’re not getting the accolades and the recognition?

Paulo Coelho talks about a pianist in the mall, surrounded by people eating, talking, window shopping, meeting friends, and no one paying attention. However, the pianist continues to play Chopin, Schubert, and Mozart with “all his love, his soul, his enthusiasm, the very best of himself, all his years of study, concentration, and discipline.” 

He gave it his all, even though he didn’t need to.

That’s something we could benefit from. The art of doing it because it needs to be done. We don’t need anybody to validate our work (although it’s nice). What matters more is that the work should matter to us.