The work should stand by itself, be it's own self-promotion. This doesn't mean we shouldn't market our work. It means that we should put our work into proper perspective (mainly by concentrating on working (verb) and not the work (noun)).
You see this all the time with amazing promotion and marketing, but the product fails to deliver. Seen in movie trailers, albums, books, articles, restaurant cuisine, clothing lines. Looks great, but in the end doesn't hold up.
You can see this in people too, and their half of the relationship clause (any kind of relationship). They fail to see themselves for what they are, and act (a kind of self-promotion) as if it's an honor to be in their presence. The more time you spend around them you realize it's often a time-suck. Time with them is a vapid black vortex where even dust can't stick to walls.
Solution: continual awareness of what's actually valuable to you and ruthless omission of everything that's not. When you get to the bone of what it is you're trying to create, mainlining on the essence of your “why” for creating this album, book, film, article, shirt design, menu, relationship.. you'll have explored the inner workings of yourself and you will be intrinsically rewarded.
Every outward reward that comes as a result of your hard work will put even more value into you and your art, thus improving and enhancing the work itself (the verb) and, if you’re lucky, the work too (noun).
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Well written. Well said. A pleasure to read another write up my good friend.