5 Questions Creatives Should Ask Themselves at the Beginning of Each Season
The Chelfdom grew more this year than I could EVER have imagined and I wanted to say THANK YOU to every person that has supported me over the years.
I’ve learned quite a few lessons the hard way, as a freelancer and business owner. And I think it’s so important to talk about both sides, the good and the bad since most of the time all we are seeing on social media is the good and the photogenic.
So, today, I would like to share a list of 5 meaningful questions that every creative business owner should ask themselves at the beginning of every season.
What did I achieve this past season that I’m most proud of?
For me, it was commitment and development. Securing a steady stream of clients that I love working with. Committing to quality before quantity and most importantly staying true to my values and refusing to compromise even when that meant I had to live like a hermit to make it happen.
What specific actions and decisions allowed me to take major steps forward in my creative business?
Now that you can look back you can easily tell what diversified your business and what type of specific decision made a difference in the past season, that led you here, today. What steps helped you secure your career and climb up the freelancing ladder? Write everything down and take some time to reflect and figure out what steps led you to ensure your business is going the way that you want it to. For me, it was getting a manager to help me stay organized and set my priorities. Also, learning to say ‘no’ to the projects that didn’t get me all excited, so that I can dedicate more time to what really matters to me as a business owner.
What didn’t work so well? And what lessons have I learned from my failures?
Maybe, after reflection, you realize that some things didn’t work out, and that is ok. In fact, it’s the norm and anything else would be suspiciously weird. Consider your actions and steps as a whole and then individually to see what worked out and what failed. When you made those decisions that failed, you surely had a reason to go this way; take the time to explore your perspectives and detect your blind spots. For me, it was overestimating my mental stamina and allowing myself to burn out. There were a few times this past season that I overbooked myself and felt it. I am working on recalibrating for 2022 so I don’t have to put myself in this position again, which is the lesson that I’ve learned.
Which professional (or personal) connections have allowed me to show up as my best self?
Networking is important. Building alliances with other freelancers or new relationships with professionals in your industry niche helps you grow and learn new skills. Working with people that deliver an excellent product enhances your freelancing experience. When they look good, you look good. And no man is an island so asking for help is unavoidable if you aspire to grow. Reflect on the connections that helped you be profitable and productive instead of unreasonably busy and stressed.
How will I celebrate my wins?
Do you have any rituals to celebrate work-life achievements? I don’t and I need to change that. There’s no reason we shouldn’t pat ourselves on our backs when we do something great. I have a ton of cookbooks to create for amazing clients in the upcoming season, brilliant bands to manage, and exciting projects to direct. And I should hold myself accountable for taking a moment to celebrate every time I deliver each book, seal a deal, or watch a client flourish, instead of checking my agenda and jumping into the next project to ‘save time’. Changing the way you approach your freelance success is wholly dependent on you and your lifestyle, so please take a moment to think about what would make you really happy and allow yourself to indulge every once in a while.
Congratulations creatives! You made it another season!