“I don’t think about art when I’m working. I try to think about life.”

— Jean-Michel Basquiat

The hardest part about being a creative is simply showing up and managing business behind the scenes. You are your own boss. No one can hold you accountable for your work ethic but you. You’re responsible for getting shit done the way you see fit. No one sees the endless amount of time and research that goes into being a creative. You can come off as lazy or unproductive because most don’t understand the long late hours that come with the process. Only the finished projects are celebrated. While creating, rather it’s brainstorming on how to express ourselves or finally getting ideas for others off paper, the act of trying to make what we want to do make sense to the public for a sense of validation is a waste of time. Most creatives (photographers, writers, artists, actors, designers etc.) run ideas by someone because we trust their opinion. Or when we finally birth our creations, if it doesn’t receive the response we anticipated, we feel too vulnerable and sometimes rejected. Without even realizing it, we talk ourselves out of ideas.

Free Yourself From Expectations And Opinions Of Others.

Think about it, how extreme would it have sound 200 years ago that we’d travel in the air or across the sea, or even underground to reach our destinations. Imagine how Karl Benz, the inventor of the first practical, modern automobile felt while sharing his ideas to the public. I would imagine it being frustrating. Some people probably wrote him off as a lunatic. But he went for it anyway. Now look at us… Having a car is normal. It’s not this grand idea or revolutionary creation. Or let's look at something as simple as water-guns and super-soakers. The summertime cookout essential and is the world’s best selling toy since released in 1989! Lonnie Johnson, president and founder of Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc., a mechanical and nuclear engineer with 132 patents, with many more titles; he didn’t allow the opinions of others dictate the success of his inventions. A water gun made of plastic? Like every inventor with critics, many people asked why. I’m sure his response was why not. The greatest artists, Frida, Twombly, Picasso, Basquiat, O’keefe, just to name a few… all critiqued for their art. Some so harshly that it affected their confidence and number of exhibitions. Helmut Newton is known for his controversial campaigns and direction through photography. Did it end his will to express himself freely? Not at all. If anything, probably inspired him to raise the bar. The key to being a creative is not only thinking outside the box, but figuring out what to do with it. It may take a few months or many years. But once you figure it out, you act on it. It becomes your assignment (spiritual reference). If you wait too long, nine times out of ten you will see someone else doing the same thing you wanted to do but they didn’t sit and wait for something to happen after having an epiphany. They made shit happen. So can you. The only validation you’ll ever need is the feeling you get while creating.

Comparing success is to self-sabotaging as Russian roulette is to fulfillment.

The industry of creatives can get a bit scary. So much content has to be made. So many networking opportunities need to be checked off the list. And they damn sure cost a pretty penny. Not all, but the majority. You’re up against both talent and clout. How does one succeed in an over-saturated industry? Well, I know very little about a lot so here’s some notes over the years that I’d like to share to hopefully help you differentiate yourself from the masses.

Clarity: Get clear of what you would like to accomplish

Not having a sense of clarity can easily lead you astray. If you’re not certain on your purpose and your mission, you most likely will fall into the hues of blending in with the crowd. Get a pen and paper, utilize your computer, or cellular notes and jot down a specific description of your goal and business plan. Also, soak in where you are. There’s fulfillment in finding clarity and peace with where you are currently, with all that you have. Not all that you desire.

Focus: Stop Over-Analyzing

Instead of focusing so much energy into what you don’t want your business to look like, focus on what you do aspire to obtain and cultivate with your start up. I can’t express enough how easy it is to get stagnant when your focus is on what everyone else is doing and how you don’t want to mirror it. It becomes a distraction. Think of all the food brands out there today such as bread, rice, syrup and etcetera. You think those brands care what other brands are doing? Hell to the no. They’re aware of their competitors but they focus on their target market. Stick to the marketing strategies they know works. Some brands don’t even bother attempting to be different from the rest and keep their marketing simple which becomes their super power. Don’t overthink or analyze how to set yourself apart. Allow it to come naturally by focusing on the essentials of your products, services or mission.

Originality: It Does The Journey Good (pun)

The “big bang” in entrepreneurship all resides in originality. Sure, you were inspired by someone maybe. Perhaps there’s over a billion entrepreneurs in your field. Maybe what you want to do has never been done before and you’re in uncharted territory. Regardless of your circumstances, staying authentic to your brand will always bring success. When you allow yourself to be influenced by what everyone else is doing, you lose sight of your own path and innovative endeavors. You basically cripple your own thoughts and room for growth. The interesting part about copying someone else's journey of success, you might mess around and copy their failures too.

Find A Mentor You Can Trust

Besides the wealth of knowledge and experiences a mentor can have, they’ve pretty much done half of the work for you. Remember the saying, “It's not what you know, it’s who you know.” ? Well, there’s no lie to that statement. A mentor can help expedite the process of putting you in rooms with people who can help build your platform and generate opportunities based on connections. A mentor can range from someone you know personally to someone who is well connected in your field.

“What if I can’t afford a mentor or don’t know anyone who won't allow me to be a mentee for free?”

You’ll be surprised how many people are willing and elated to be a mentor for free. You can even negotiate services, i.e. being an unpaid intern or assistant to compensate for their time. The mentor-ships doesn’t stop there. Who happens to be that one person or business that inspires you to keep going and never give up? Is it an artist, a stylist, a CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation? The brains behind Apple or Google? Well, what are you waiting for? Watch interviews, listen to podcasts, buy books and invest your money and time in whatever related to what and who inspires you. It’s about time you get the ball rolling and start rubbing elbows with like-minded people

Put Imposter Syndrome To Rest

Most times, the hardest part is simply getting started. Set a few hours aside throughout the week to organize your social media content, meetings, events, and projects to keep your brand current, fresh and thriving.

I actually cringe saying “imposter syndrome” seeing that the phenomenon is not recognized in the DSM or ICD. It’s not a mental disorder and is overly used. As if it’s an enabling crutch to have self doubt. But, we’re just gonna’ roll with it today.

Believe In Yourself

You’d never get others to believe in you and your brand if you don’t believe in your damn self. Believe that your brand is worth investing in. Toss that “imposter syndrome” in the trash where it belongs. It all starts with you. Don’t just believe you can do it. Know you’re going to.

LOGIC IS THE DEATH OF CREATIVITY: SET YOURSELF APART