Making creative work is an infinite game, not a finite one. If you’re making and releasing work, being curious, and making things you’re proud of then what you’re doing is working, no question.

But of course we can’t help but to have some extrinsic motivations, too. There’s no exact measurement for what it means to “work” culturally, but there are directional signals:

• Are more or less people engaging with your work?
• Are others adopting your language or your lens on the world?
• Are people reaching out wanting to collaborate with you?
• In your heart, do you feel like your work is connecting or not connecting? (Be honest with yourself — it’s not easy, but it’s worth it.)

Best of all is to let go of these needs and anxieties and to enjoy the ride.