Not every step needs to be calculated: building your graphic design career.
Vol. 053
Not every step needs to be calculated: building your graphic design career.
A candid reminder that while planning can be great, it most certainly is not imperative.
A quick bite:
Don’t let the gurus and those above you convince you that a solid, strict plan is needed to find success. I’m a firsthand example of completely frickin’ winging it. And guess what, it’s working. Some thoughts on why going with the flow can be the best choice you’ll make.
Continue reading below…
In last week’s Monday Munch 1-year article, I stated: “Not everything needs to be a step towards some big, grandiose plan. If something feels good, if something feels right, just do it. Sometimes you just gotta chase the fog." Alison, a Munchie (apparently that’s what I call people who read this thing? Yall are my favorite little snacks :)) posted on LinkedIn, noting that this quote really struck her.
I wanted to use that as a sign to dive in just a bit more…
I personally have built a successful graphic design business —by my own definition at least — without a single plan.
No marketing strategy. No 5-year plan. No roadmap for my future. Nothing.
I have built a successful graphic design business through doing what feels right, through taking opportunities that scare and excite me, through building relationships, and through some frickin’ hard work.
Maybe you’ve noticed this as well, but I’ve seen over the years that people who have “made it” and have a platform often over-glorify their planning. They seem to suggest that their success is rooted in strategic planning and sticking to their guns. Through offering only one service and being an absolute expert in just that. Through always standing their ground on their prices. Through consistency and pitching. Through only saying yes to things that feel like “a hell yes.” And ya know what, munchies? I think much of that stuff is poppycock!
Don’t get me wrong, all of the aforementioned can be amazingly helpful. I’m sure some of these people have built empires through doing this. Hell, I’d probably be somewhere totally different (better or worse? I guess we’ll never know) had I done some of the above to help steer this freelance graphic design, logo designer, hand lettering artist, mural artist, actor, teacher, art director hybrid career-ship that I’ve built.
However, that’s not for me. And it’s not needed to be successful.
Through chasing the fog and truly pursuing what innately feels right and good to you, you can have A BALL building your career! That is, afterall, the dream, right?.. To build a career that supports you and that you’re stoked on daily? It’s not all about money, fame, awards, etc…
Through approaching my career this way, I’ve met some insanely amazing humans, had some incredible opportunities and had so much dang fun.
Had I been more rigid in my “plan” I never would have started teaching hand lettering. Which is what led me to working with Craftsy. Which led me to NBC. Which led me to being on the Real Housewives of Dallas — that’s right, I’m bringing it up again.
And guess where that led me?
Nowhere!
And that’s awesome! I got to be on frickin’ reality tv haha. Who cares about where the opportunity leads or where it took me, it was a kinda-non-sequitur, and that’s totally fine.
A genuine pursuit of experiences, hard work and a good head on your shoulders will lead to great experiences and opportunities, and that ultimately will lead to money as well.
I wanted to reiterate this morning to anyone who’s feeling like “i don’t know what I”m doing or what I should be doing”, that’s normal. That’s honestly how most people feel. The majority of my “successful friends” are just shooting from the hip as well. But, you can’t let that unknown stifle you. YOU MUST stop thinking about doing and DO THE DOING. Stop waiting. Stop wondering if it’s right or wrong. Fuckin’ do it...The rest will sort itself out as you go.
A straightforward and candid chat for your morning java-literature. I hope y'all have a killer week.
