Tag: grit

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Making changes: From Freelancer to Employee

Embarking on a creative freelancing journey can be an exhilarating experience, filled with dreams of independence and artistic fulfilment. Yet, not all paths unfold as expected. If you find yourself transitioning from freelancing to seeking traditional employment, know that you’re not alone, and this shift doesn’t diminish your creativity or worth. It’s a chance for growth, learning, and a renewed perspective on your creative journey.

Initially, freelancing might have seemed like the perfect platform to showcase your talents and carve your niche. However, challenges in client acquisition, inconsistent income, and the business side of things can sometimes overshadow the creative joy. As you reflect on this transition, remember that setbacks are part of any creative venture. They don’t define your artistic abilities or creative potential.

It’s okay to feel a tinge of embarrassment or uncertainty as you consider traditional employment. But rather than letting this emotion overshadow your next steps, use it as a driving force for self-discovery and reinvention. Remember, your creative skills and experiences gained during freelancing are invaluable assets that can enrich your new professional endeavours.

Here are a few strategies to embrace this transition: Continue reading “Making changes: From Freelancer to Employee”

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Cultivating Creative Confidence: Unlocking Your Full Potential

Confidence is the cornerstone of a successful creative journey. It’s the driving force that propels your ideas from mere concepts to tangible creations that captivate and inspire. Yet, for many creative professionals, self-doubt can cast shadows on their potential. Fear not, for enhancing your creative confidence is well within your grasp. Here’s how to bolster your self-assurance and step into your creative prowess: Continue reading “Cultivating Creative Confidence: Unlocking Your Full Potential”

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Overcoming Barriers in Your Creative Career

Navigating the Glass Ceiling

For many people in creative roles, the concept of the glass ceiling is all too familiar. Talented individuals with boundless creativity often find themselves facing barriers. These barriers hinder their ascent, be it due to age, gender, nationality, or any other factor. The question is not whether these barriers exist. Rather the question is how to shatter them and rise above the limitations they impose.

First, recognise that your worth and potential are not defined by any label or stereotype. Your creativity knows no bounds. This unique perspective is a strength, not a liability. Equip yourself with the confidence to challenge assumptions and showcase your capabilities. Continue reading “Overcoming Barriers in Your Creative Career”

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What is the One Question Creative People are Afraid to Ask?


In the realm of creativity, where self-expression and innovation converge, there’s a question that often lurks in the shadows, shrouded by apprehension. It’s the question that stirs the depths of our creative souls, yet many are too afraid to voice it. Today, we muster the courage to unveil this unasked question, and explore the depths of its significance.

The Unasked Question: “Am I Truly Creative?”
Continue reading “What is the One Question Creative People are Afraid to Ask?”

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The Job Hunt Dilemma


If you’re a creative professional, you know the feeling. You want to get a job, but you can’t seem to get your foot in the door. You need experience, but you can’t get experience without a job. It’s a catch-22. And it’s frustrating.

So how do you break the cycle? Here are a few tips:

  • Start small. Don’t expect to land your dream job right away. Start by looking for small projects or volunteer opportunities. This will give you some experience and help you build your portfolio.

  • Network. Talk to people in your field and let them know you’re looking for work. Attend industry events and meetups. The more people you know, the more likely you are to hear about opportunities. It can feel a bit daunting, but be brave. You can do it because other people have done it before you.

  • Be creative. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Come up with creative ways to get your foot in the door. For example, you could start a blog or create a portfolio website to showcase your work. Really critique and polish your work. Take some free courses – learn new skills, meet new people.

  • Be sharp. Create an on-point portfolio of work/experience that fits with where you want to be. If you want to work in advertising or marketing, create brand mock ups, web sites, creative work to strut your stuff. If you want to work in gaming – design some games, learn Python or whatever the the current tools are – you need to find out what they are. The key secret is to work your work hard and continually improve it. Quality and work beats all.

  • Don’t give up. The job hunt can be tough, but don’t give up. Keep applying for jobs and networking. Be open to change. Eventually, you’ll find the right opportunity. Do. Not. Give. Up.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

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Rising Above the Shadows: Navigating Creativity After Bad Experiences


Dear Creative Souls,

Life is a journey filled with peaks and valleys, and for us, the artists, creators, and visionaries, it can be especially tumultuous. We know all too well the weight of past bad experiences that can cast a shadow over our creativity. Whether it’s emotionally destructive employment situations, challenging clients, or loss-making contracts, these experiences can dim our creative light. It can feel like a lonely world, and frankly, it sucks.

I don’t mean it to sound cliché, but in the midst of darkness, there is always a glimmer of hope. As creative beings, we possess an innate resilience that allows us to rise above adversity and find inspiration even in the most challenging circumstances. Here are some empowering ways to navigate the aftermath of negative experiences and reignite your creative spark: Continue reading “Rising Above the Shadows: Navigating Creativity After Bad Experiences”

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What is the Most Creative Act a Person Can Do?

Creativity is a broad term that can mean different things to different people. For some, it might mean painting a beautiful picture or writing a moving poem. For others, it might mean coming up with a new business idea or solving a difficult problem.

But what is the most creative act a person can do?

I believe that the most creative act a person can do is to be themselves. This means being true to who you are, even if it means being different from everyone else. It means following your own path, even if it’s not the easiest one. And it means being brave enough to express yourself, even if you’re afraid of what others might think.

Being yourself is the most creative act because it’s the only thing that no one else can do. It’s the only thing that’s truly original. And it’s the only thing that can truly make a difference in the world.

When you’re being yourself, you’re not just creating something new. You’re also inspiring others to be themselves. You’re showing them that it’s okay to be different, and that they can make a difference in the world too.

So if you’re looking for the most creative act you can do, I encourage you to be yourself. Be brave. Be different. And make a difference.

Here are some tips for being more creative: Continue reading “What is the Most Creative Act a Person Can Do?”

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The dark side of creativity



Stories of movie stars and rock stars self medicating themselves into oblivion, chefs and doctors suiciding, and designers burning out are common in the news. There’s an aspect of creativity that isn’t all sweetness and light. Some of the brightest and best end up hurting themselves or taking their lives, and end up breaking the hearts of the people who love them the most. And there’s always that lingering question: “Why? They had everything going for them, they had everything to live for.”

The dark side of creativity refers to the potentially negative aspects or consequences that can arise from the creative process or creative individuals.

While creativity is celebrated and valued, there are several aspects that can be problematic or detrimental: Continue reading “The dark side of creativity”

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Finding Authenticity: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Creative

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong in your creative field? Like you’re not good enough, or that you’re a fraud? If so, you’re not alone. Many creative people experience imposter syndrome, which is a feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy. You might’ve experienced the feeling of being overawed by someone with astounding talent – creative works just drip off them seemingly effortlessly or they seem to lead charmed lives. Or you go to a conference or a lecture theatre or a studio or an exhibition or an audition and everyone *EVERYONE* is a thousand times more talented, skilful, cool, better looking, better connected, better blah, blah, blah. You’re just not good enough. It’s a horrible feeling.

Imposter syndrome can be really tough to deal with, but it doesn’t have to control you. There are ways to overcome imposter syndrome and embrace your authentic creative voice.

Here are some tips: Continue reading “Finding Authenticity: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Creative”

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Rising Above the Unthinkable: Navigating Challenges as a Creative


Sometimes, life throws us curveballs that we never see coming. These challenges can be big or small, but they can all have a big impact on our mental health and creativity.

If you’re a creative person, you know that your work is often a reflection of your inner state. When you’re going through a tough time, it can be hard to find the motivation to create. But it’s important to remember that creativity can also be a powerful tool for healing and coping.

Here are some tips for rising above the unthinkable and reignite your creative spirit:
Continue reading “Rising Above the Unthinkable: Navigating Challenges as a Creative”