For the last 20 years, I've interviewed hundreds of people about their motivation to create, their ambition, and what it feels like to be whole and at home in the world on my podcast, Design Matters.
In one episode several years ago, I interviewed a famous painter about a recent exhibition, a show that had taken years to create.
Given the magnitude of the accomplishment, I asked her how long the feeling of pride lasted after opening night.
She looked at me, she smiled sheepishly, and stated, "About 11 minutes." I thought she was joking, but she wasn't.
Since that interview, I've come to realize she's not the only one whose achievements feel ephemeral and fleeting, not by a long shot.
Over the past four years, in addition to my interviews, I've conducted my own version of a Proustian questionnaire for Print Magazine.
Hundreds of creative people have answered the same 10 questions about their life and their work.
Given the response I had with the famous painter, I included this question: How long does the feeling of pride and joy at accomplishing something last for you?
As I collected my responses to the questionnaire and reviewed all of my transcripts of my interviews and conversations, I saw how, up close, for so many people, the pride and joy of accomplishment dissipates almost as quickly as it manifests.
I heard it in the words of a poet who shared that the high of publishing a book lasted until she sent in her final manuscript.
