Why Do It?
We just started a new year, and, of all the holidays, I think this one is the most reflective. Most people consider their possible New Year’s resolutions or goals. Some people even follow through on them. Although creating goals is fantastic and I highly encourage it, I think every attempted goal making should really start with a single question — “Why am I doing this?”
If you don’t ask such a question, how do you know if the creative life you’re building is the one you really want and need?
Sometimes we do things out of inertia. It’s what we’ve always done, so we think we need to keep on doing it. We may also move forward without a lot of thought for what we personally need, taking next steps on a road many took before us without asking if those steps are really for us. You might be thinking you need to take your creative work to the next level, so that must mean selling your artwork, trying to get an agent or publisher for your book, or building a social media following for your music. Yes, there are typical directions that most people take their creative work and creative career, but that doesn’t mean their direction should be your direction.
Ask yourself… what do you need from your creative work? You can, contrary to popular belief, make what you love and not make money off of it. For some of us, making an income, or at least making back enough to keep funding the obsession, is necessary. But if you don’t need to make money, do you really want to build a business and take on all the marketing, technological, accounting, and customer service tasks required? Is that best for your creative endeavors and your own happiness?
If you do need to make money, be particular about the platforms and the avenues through which you sell and drive that income. There are so many ways to produce an income from your creative work. Investigate your options before just going with the obvious or most common methods.
And what of the work itself? Do you create the specific things you create with those particular materials or in those particular forms because it’s your undying passion to do just that? Or are you creating based on what you think will create the most income? There is nothing wrong with either, unless that reason doesn’t fulfill your creative or monetary needs, fulfill your purpose for creating, or make you happy doing it.
Or maybe, when it comes down to it, you don’t really know what you need or want creatively. That’s okay too. It’s a rather exciting position to be in because you can hop on an amazing road of discovery. Do it all! Try everything that has ever tickled your fancy and see what sticks.
Whatever you decide to do this year, just question whether your goals and plans are what you need to be happy, fulfilled, and living the kind of life you want and need. Don’t do what you think you should. Do what you personally need and want.
Think of it as creative mindfulness. Be mindful of what your choices mean for you and choose what feeds your unique life and spirit.
