5 mindset shifts to make your creative career more successful
It’s just table stakes.
But focusing on everything other than the work itself can lead to:
- Promotions
- Pay Increases
- Higher job satisfaction
Here’s 5 different mindset shifts you can use to make your creative career more successful:
1. You Can’t Focus On Everything
As you begin to take on bigger and better projects you’ll start to notice something…
You’re going insane.
And it’s because you’re trying to handle everything coming at you all at once.
But it’s not possible.
Instead, focus on the 20% of the work that has the highest impact.
The rest are small fires that don’t need to be tended to.
2. Not Everything Will Be Fun
And that’s because the creative work that usually pays the most isn’t necessarily the most creative.
It’s just the stuff that nobody else wants to do.
Be willing to get your hands dirty and take on the stuff that others pass on.
It will help you to develop deeper relationships with bosses and clients that will eventually lead to higher pay and better projects.
3. Rely On Systems & Schedules
As James Clear said:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
When everything is hitting the fan all at once the least stressful route through is to have:
- To-do lists
- Systems for working through them
- Schedules to keep you on track
It’s not sexy.
But it will absolutely keep you from going insane.
4. Place An Emphasis On People Skills
The work itself is only the output.
But what makes the output great?
Having incredible relationships that allow for the work to be done to the best of it’s ability.
Sacrifice the relationships and the work will suffer as a result.
The more trust you can build with coworkers, clients, and managers over time the better the creative process will become.
5. Keep Personal Commitments
Honor the deals you make with yourself.
Because in the fast paced world of creative work its easy to lose sight of what got you here in the first place.
Take breaks.
Spend time away from the computer.
Create ways to disconnect.
But also make sure you aren’t sacrificing your morals in doing the work itself.
In creativity, as with any form of business, your reputation is the only thing that you carry long term.
How this is relevant for a:
Freelancer — There’s a million people competing for the same gigs. Stand out from the crowd and get hired more often by nailing the things that matter most.
Full-timer — The bigger the company the more pressure you’ll experience. Internalize these pillars of success and focus on the longevity of your work.
Dabbler — It can be daunting to know where to even begin. But laying foundational ground work is the most effective first step in creating the career of your dreams.
When the going gets tough…
The tough turn pro.
And professionals know that the work itself is only 10% of the battle.
Put your focus on the other 90%.
And watch your career blossom.
