Letting it go
Not to be confused with letting one go…
Too much attachment to your work can lead to a lack of productivity and leave your projects overworked or, even worse - incomplete. As creatives, we must develop a greater insight into when it is time to embrace feedback and when to ignore it…
Get used to being questioned – no matter your level.
Feedback can be tough to hear sometimes, but it's essential to growing in your work. Constructive criticism helps us identify areas for improvement and refine our skills. While it can be uncomfortable to receive, embracing feedback with an open mind will ultimately help us excel. Whether it's a suggestion from a co-worker or supervisor or a critique from a client, every piece of feedback is an opportunity to learn and grow. So, don't be afraid to receive feedback and incorporate it into your work - it may lead to your next big breakthrough.
Accept mistakes - they happen, and they can always be learned from
Nobody is perfect, and that means mistakes happen. Sometimes, it can be devastating to admit that you've made a mistake, but it's crucial to accept it and learn from it to grow. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, focus on what you can do better next time. It's all about improving, so be open to constructive feedback and use your mistakes as opportunities to grow. After all, there's no such thing as failure as long as you're learning and progressing.
Don't take things too personally - Perfectionism is unobtainable.
We’re constantly bombarded with information and tasks that demand time and energy. It's easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism, where we obsess over every detail and become overly critical of ourselves and others. But perfectionism can hinder our progress and prevent us from reaching our goals because we lose the ability to change and listen. It's important to remember that mistakes and setbacks are a natural part of any project, and we should try not to take them too personally. Instead, we should focus on the big picture and stay committed to the work at hand, keeping our eyes on the prize and pushing through any challenges that come our way.
Put yourself out there, get your work seen by others, even if it feels uncomfortable
When it comes to sharing your work with others, it's natural to feel hesitant or even downright uncomfortable. But putting yourself out there is crucial if you want to grow and develop as a creator. Sharing your work can help open doors to new opportunities, feedback, and collaborations. The more you share, the more exposure you'll receive, which can lead to a bigger audience and more recognition. So, even if it feels nerve-racking, take the plunge, and start showcasing your work to the world.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
As we go through life, it's easy to become comfortable with what we know and are used to doing. But if we want to keep growing and evolving as individuals, we must be willing to try new things. Creativity can come in all shapes and sizes, and we never know what we might discover if we step outside our comfort zone. We'll find a new hobby we love or learn something new about ourselves. Either way, it's worth taking risks and seeing what happens when we're open to trying new things.
It's about the journey – not the destination.
It’s cringe but true...The thrill of creating something new and exciting is truly unparalleled. The journey of taking an idea from its inception to its final form can be gruelling but it is also incredibly fulfilling. It is easy to get caught up in the desire for the end result, but remember to enjoy the process. Tackling challenges allows us to stretch our minds and develop skills we may have never known we possessed. Remember, the final outcome may be important, but the path we take to get there shapes us into the creative beings we are.
Creatives take the time to create masterpieces that can inspire those around them for generations to come. And a little healthy ambition never hurts anyone, but tuning out your ego can often be the best thing you can do for any project, opening up opportunities for creativity and collaboration. So don’t sweat the small things – focus on what matters.