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MY⚡️Feature
featured piece of advice for creatives and creative leaders
You’re a Real Creative
I had a conversation recently with a guitarist/producer who reached out because he was interested in receiving some creative coaching. We talked about the things he is passionate about and the things that he wants to accomplish creatively and at one point in the conversation he referred to himself, in a bit of a self deprecating way, as a hobbyist or amateur creative.
I stopped him right there and tried to reframe his thinking a bit because there is something in all of us as creative people that tries to set a bench mark of who is a “real” creative or a “professional” creative and most often it’s associated with our income.
We tell ourselves the lie that if we don’t earn a significant amount of money from our art or even the majority of our income from our art that we aren’t a “professional” or we aren’t a “real” creative and we’re just an amateur or a hobbyist.
The amount of money you earn from your art doesn’t validate or invalidate you. Your income isn’t the test of whether you are professional or not.
Some of the best guitarists I know have day jobs. Some of the best live audio engineers I know, also work in technology. Some of the best producers I know work in real estate or own a small business.
Sometimes your financial goals and well-being can keep you from taking the leap into full-time creativity. Sometimes your stage of life and family priorities lead you to keeping your every day job while you work on your creative endeavors when you can.
None of this dictates whether you are a “real” creative.
Your life circumstances, your priorities, your financial goals, and any other variable in your life doesn’t dictate your validity and value as a creative person. You don’t need to feel like an imposter because you create part-time or in your spare time.
You are a creative person and the art you make matters. If you are putting your heart and soul and your best efforts into creating something important to you to share with the world then just keep going. It matters to you and it will matter to someone else. It doesn’t matter how much money you make from it or how many instagram followers you have.
The existence of the art itself is the only validation that you need.
The Killers made their first album trading voicemails while working at different hotels in Vegas. Jeff Bezos started Amazon in his garage while working another job. Phil Knight sold running shoes out of his trunk on the weekends to start Nike. Dr. Dre DJ’d at clubs while working on music that would become the first NWA album.
Please keep making stuff. We need it.
If you want to try creative coaching for FREE just click the link below to fill out a short form and get started booking a free coaching call. I’d love to help.
MY⚡️FI Podcast
a podcast about the journey of creativity
Ep. 047 :: Lorraine Lewis
This episode of MYFI features the incredible rock vocalist, Lorraine Lewis. Lorraine began her great career in the 1980s as a solo artist and fronting the groundbreaking band Femme Fatale. She’s now the front woman for the legendary band, Vixen as well as leading a fantastic solo career. Join us as we talk about the movie “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead”, how seeing David Lee Roth changed the trajectory of her life, and how she discovered that being on stage is where she truly belongs.
MY⚡️FI Blog
monthly blog for creatives and creative leaders
Going It Alone
This month on the blog I talk about working on my upcoming solo album over the last several months including the process, the inspiration, the purpose, and more! Check out the blog by clicking here.