A new USA show called Satisfaction teased the start of their season with a serial add campaign around the city that included slogans like, “Is there such a thing as happily ever after?” and “Can an affair save a marriage?” and then the hashtag, #AreYouSatisfed.  There was no title of the program it was pitching.  No network affiliate.  Just a super expensive on-the-sides-of-telephone-kiosks teaser campaign.

But it did get my attention.

That doesn’t mean I watched the show.  Looks a bit too Desperate Housewives for me.

However, I did start thinking about their question (questions in ads, especially direct response email, are great – because they force the reader to think – and if you know what the answer to the question is before you ask it, well, then, you can stir your reader to act).

I didn’t think about it in terms of marriage, or a happiness quotient of any kind.  I’ll leave that stuff to Dr. Phil and the other sofa-sittin’ daytime talk show hosts out there.

I thought about it in terms of artists.  And producers.  And entrepreneurs of all kinds.

The greatest artists and entrepreneurs I know are never, ever, EVER, satisfied.  They are always looking for something new.  They are always looking for a way to improve.  They are always looking for a way to invent.

That lack of satisfaction is in fact, the defining characteristic of what makes a great artist or producer.  What you have done already, is never enough, so you strive to do more.  And do better.

Ironically, your job is actually to satisfy others . . . your audience, your investors, clients, even your family.  But not yourself.

So as you go about your day today, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t be satisfied.  Great art has never been created by satisfied men.

(Got a comment? I love ‘em, so comment below! Email Subscribers, click here then scroll down to say what’s on your mind!)
– – – – –

FUN STUFF:

– Need to raise money for your show?  Get Raise It!  My just released and guaranteed how-to guide.  Click here.

– Come to our 10 Minute Play Festival!  Click here to get tix.

– The next How to Raise Money Seminar is on August 16th. Click here to register.

-Win two VIP passes to FringeNYC! Click here.