Tips For The Unrelenting Creative: How To Rethink Meaningful Work

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Hi everyone,

Happy Tuesday! I sent my book manuscript off to a copy editor last week, which is a huge step towards getting my writing out into the world! While the editor is fixing all my mistakes (there are many, ha!), I’m turning my attention towards building the followers of this newsletter and I need your help. Would you please consider forwarding the following email to 10-15 people you feel might be interested in this newsletter?

Hi there,

I’m writing to invite you to join 
Tips for the Unrelenting Creative, a newsletter that provides tips and curated links to articles that help creatives think critically about ways to achieve success in their life and career. My colleague, Nate Zeisler has been writing this newsletter for close to two years I think you would enjoy the tips he brings to your inbox each week. You can check out his most recent newsletter here, and subscribe here.

Thanks,

Please feel free to personalize the note and thank you so much for sending it along, I truly appreciate you!

Tips

  • How To Rethink Meaningful Work: Attaining work that is meaningful is a great way to find true happiness in your life and career. Blogger Paul Millerd argues that the Pandemic caused all of us to rethink the pursuit of meaningful work, primarily because we spent 2-years in a perpetual down-shift from the intensity of our pre-pandemic lives. I feel the pullback to the way things were in 2019, however, I now look at my work in balance with living a healthier life, spending more time with family, and tackling the big personal projects I would like to pursue.

    Tip: The definition of meaningful work is evolving. Take a moment to define what meaningful work means to you, especially now that return to work orders are starting to come in full swing. It’s especially important to consider how and where you conduct your work (in person, hybrid, remote), as I’m beginning to think that true meaning comes as much from how and where you conduct your work as the work itself. 

    Related: Finding Meaning During The Great Resignation
  • How To Spot Trends: While I pride myself as being an early adopter of tech, I am never the person on the leading edge of new trends. I prefer to sit just a little behind the curve and am happy to wait for a new trend to evolve a bit before I dive in. I am amazed by friends who spot trends well before they enter the mainstream.

    Tip: If you want to be a trend spotter, use the deep knowledge you have of your field, then research and observe how to utilize that knowledge within our ever-changing world. The best trendsetters are able to think fifteen minutes ahead of their time, not fifteen years. Spend time imagining what is right around the corner in your field and develop a plan that moves your career and/or the field forward. This article profiles several futurists, who share their tricks on catching trends. 

    Related: How Artists Can Set Their Own 3-Year Plan
  • How To Get The Most Out Of Your Vacation: It is very difficult for me to unplug when I go on vacation. For the longest time, I would take my work with me in order to continue to “wrap up a few things,” which often lasted well into my vacation. I never really took a break from my work, which ultimately prevented me from relaxing and re-energizing.

    Tip: Make a plan for what you will do when you return to work before you leave town on vacation. I find that taking a couple of hours to plan just before I walk away from my work settles my busy brain and helps me prioritize what will be waiting for me when I get back. While I’m on vacation, I keep a running to-do list on Evernote. That way if I think of something work-related on my trip, I simply write it down so I don’t forget, and then revisit the list when I am back from vacation. Here’s a great article to help you come up with a plan so you can relax while on vacation.

    Related: Finding Stability In A Multifaceted Career

Things I Loved

 

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Nate Zeisler is the Dean for Community Initiatives at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. He envisions a world where students majoring in the arts have a clear path to a sustainable career, where creative minds are empowered and inspired to rule the workforce, and where access to the arts is not just for the privileged few, but for all.

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