In the adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain declares that Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do, while Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do.

By that definition, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and artists have the most fun because they have the fewest societal obligations: Nobody tells them when to show up for Work, how many hours to put in, or where to spend their time.

But what differentiates the amateur from the professional is the discipline, process, and routine they create for themselves. All Play, no Work is a recipe for disaster.

To make a creative career sustainable, we have no choice but to design daily, weekly, or monthly obligations we can commit to regardless of the current level of passion, motivation, and inspiration.

To play well requires Work. One cannot escape the other.