WHY AREN’T ARTISTS IN LOVE WITH THEIR OWN WORK?

I’ve been thinking about this thing I’ve often heard artists say (I’m sure you’ve heard them say it too): that they don’t love their own work, they wish it was better, etc. I’ve literally asked some fellow artists: do you like your own work? And I’m taken aback when I’m met with a facial expression that indicates almost embarrassment! It makes me wonder if I should adopt some modesty too and say, ‘nah, it’s nothing, I could’ve done this better’ or ‘yes it’s nice, but, I wish I had the skills of xyz’?

However, when I look back on my own corporate career, I don’t think I remember anyone ever saying that about an achievement at the corporate workplace. They said thank you when someone complimented them. They proudly put up their awards on LinkedIn and thanked people who got them there. There was never any doubt in their minds that they deserved the compliment or promotion or a raise.