Hi everyone,
Last week was one of the biggest weeks for my own personal growth in recent memory. I’ve been writing non-stop for about five years but haven’t really gotten any traction with my creative outputs.
My problem?
I didn’t have a system in place for broadcasting my work.
This newsletter was the first step in the process and now I finally have a plan for how to use social media, thanks to a little help from Josh Spector. In short, I feel more momentum towards growth than I have in years. Here’s to hoping that you find the same path towards your goals and I hope you find this week’s tips helpful in your life and career pursuits.
Financial Stability Tip: Know What An Hour Of Your Time Is Worth.
Performing artists and creators need to know the value of an hour of their time in order to best make decisions about the type of work they take on. I’ve known artists who would drive for more than 2-hours for a gig that seemed like a well paid opportunity on paper until they factored in their travel time. At some point you have to ask if the time committed to a gig outweighs the value of taking it on in the first place.
Tip: If you are being paid for a service you provide, your pay is dependent upon the time you commit to the job. With every job you are offered, take time to determine your hourly rate and the actual time you will dedicate to the endeavor before you say yes. Here’s a post I wrote to help you think about the value of an hour of your time.
Work/Life Balance Tip: Say No
I have a huge problem saying “no,” especially when there are so many things that interest me. While nothing makes me happier than supporting others as they build their career, sometimes I make it to the end of the day without being able to settle in to the work that advances my own career. That can be very frustrating.
Tip: Set some boundaries and embrace the word no so you have time for your most important work on a daily basis. Come up with a plan now for what things in life you will politely turn down and stick with your plan. For advice on this subject, check out this amazing guest post over at Science On A Postcard by Alex Holmesin.
Meaning At Work And In Life Tip: Finding Balance In A Multi-Faceted Career
Artists and creators often blur the lines between a traditional career that involves a 9-5 position and more flexible, creative work. For many creators, traditional work becomes the way to make ends meet while building out their ideas. Finding this balance makes for a more meaningful career and provides long-term financial stability.
Tip: Check out this week’s podcast, where I share the benefits of forging a multi-faceted career, including lowered financial risk, more time to transition fully into flexible work, and having more headspace to focus on work that propels your career as a creator forward.
Field Notes: Welcome To The Transition Economy
Our workforce has shifted dramatically from the systems that were in place in the 1950s. Members of the workforce between the ages of 24-34 have always specialized in transitioning into new roles every 2-3 years and this trend seems to be becoming the norm in America. The problem is that the systems in place, like our American education system, have not caught up to this new way of working.
TIp: Check out the article by Blair Miller and come up with a plan for how you will combat the current economic environment. One great way to do this is to create a strategic plan to help you navigate the transition economy.
The Way Things Work: How To Find Simple Solutions To Hard Problems
I will admit that I overcomplicate things. When there is a challenge at work, I often muse for days about the best solution to the problem. Inevitably, the solution I come up with is complicated and takes a number of revisions to simplify the plan into something that easily works with the systems that are in place. More complex does not equal better strategy.
Tip: Nat Elaison wrote a great post about why we often suffer from artificial complexity when it comes to solving the most common problems in our lives. Before you set out to solve any problem, ask yourself if you are choosing the most simplified route to achieve your desired outcome.
Things I Loved
- Funky music from the Scary Pockets and Pomplamoose. The common thread to this music? Jack Conte, co-founder and CEO of Patreon!
- My dream project.
- I got some help growing my twitter followers from Josh Spector last week. Here is a great thread by Josh detailing how he helped me and my thread detailing the process from my perspective. My take-away. This process works!
- Beauty + Meaning=Creativity
- What is stopping you from getting off the blocks?
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