1. Define what creative success means to you. Try to find an intrinsic source of motivation that you can work towards.

2. Extrinsic rewards matter, because you deserve to be recognized for your good work. Sometimes, these rewards need you to compromise. You will need to decide if it’s worth it.

3. Vincent van Gogh and Agnes Pelton are recognized as great artists now, but they did not live to experience the external rewards of their work’s success. The work was enough for them. Is it for you? Because the world can remain noisy longer than you can survive. You can always make a life outside your work.