I don't know if it's truly dedication brotha lol... I have my days when I don't feel like making anything and I don't. I just like creating this crazy stuff so I do it. I've spent crazy amounts of time on stuff that went nowhere, and hardly any at times on stuff that's gone viral.
I like pushing myself because I'll never get better at it if I don't find challenges. I get an idea and wonder if I can make it work so I try to, a lot of the time the idea evolves with the picture or gif I'm making.
I guess the only thing that truly matters is to enjoy doing something regardless of the recognition you might receive from it. I don't care how anything I make does because I know I will be making something else soon after it. There truly is no pressure when all you are doing is having fun ;)