This may sound like a silly question but it’s one that deep down many people have. How do I start being a creative? While creativity occurs naturally within us, it’s up to us to cultivate and develop it into something amazing. So, where do you start? I’ll give you 5 steps in this post.
Step One: Establish Your Creative Passion
What are you creatively passionate about? Is it music, painting, fashion, graphic design, filmmaking, photography, or writing? I could continue this list for the next 45 days, seeing that there are so many things to possibly be interested in. It’s important that you figure out what you like so that you know what direction to start focusing your time and focus. It’s perfectly fine if you have more than one avenue of interest, make a list if and list them according to what interests you the most. You can either indulge in them all at once by delegating time for them individually or you can take the tunnel vision approach and lock in with what you care about the most and then come back for the next on the list. There is no right or wrong approach, all that matters is that you choose what realistically works for your schedule and attention span. Remember that you should be doing this for you, so choose things that genuinely pique your interest and not necessarily what others may consider “cool” to do.
Step Two: Research! Research! Research!
Now that you know what you want to pursue, it’s time to do your research. Getting access to information is nearly instant now. With the right formed questions and keywords, you’ll for sure come up with useful information about what you’re in search of. Begin your search on YouTube. You should type in whatever the creative concept is and find the videos that are the most information packed and watch them as many times as you have to. I would recommend physically writing down tips and notes that are given.
Next, I would go over to social platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, even Twitter. Here, you’ll be able to find people doing what you want to do. More than likely, they’ll be giving tips on how to do what they do and insight on their day to day. Be sure to follow the creatives that you find interest in so that you can keep up with their next posts and to start getting your timelines filled with things that you actually want to see. Google is also another resource that you can use to gather research and will likely lead you to articles about your creative endeavor and possible events upcoming regarding it.
If you want to take your research a step further, I would recommend paying closer attention to the credits of movies and tv shows. There are people doing just about every creative thing possible in those credits and you can take their names down and search up their social platforms. You’ll be able to get a glimpse of what they do and how they got their start. You’ll get to see who they follow and just begin to see who you should be paying attention and learning from in those industries. As I type this, I realize that I sound like I’m encouraging you to be stalker and in a way, I am. Let’s just call it “inspirational stalking.” We aren’t trying to do harm to anyone, we just admire their creative contributions and feel that we can learn from them.
Step Three: Apply Yourself. Be Intentional. Start Where You Are.
Okay, so you’ve done the research. Now what? It’s time to get to work and apply everything that you’ve learned. Pick where it’s easiest to start, and do just that, start. Don’t allow any outside OR inside noise to convince you that you shouldn’t be attempting new things. It’s time to exit your comfort zone. It may be best that you actually create a schedule for yourself on when you will work on your creative passion. This will encourage you to hold yourself accountable in being consistent.
Figuring out what settings you create the best in will do wonders for you. Maybe you like to listen to music while you create, maybe you need to be somewhere quiet, or maybe you need to be out in nature. Whatever your choice of setting may be, try to arrange some time to be in it. Take the ultimate first step and begin to post your creations. Don’t worry about whether or not you’ll receive negative or positive feedback. Remember, you are doing this for Y-O-U! It’s time to be what you’ve always wanted to be and what better way to do it than to publicly proclaim it?
For many, not all, money is probably tight and accounted for. This doesn’t have to be a reason why you don’t pursue your creative endeavors. You simply just have to make due with what you do have and not focus so much on what you don’t. This will require you to be more resourceful and creative with your approaches. You honestly will have to go out and learn as much as you can and DIY your way through the startup. As you meet people, you. may be able to work something out if they’re better at something than you are, trade skill for skill or attempt to get a discounted price if possible. You will never know how much someone else is willing to help you unless you give them the opportunity.
So, yes I’m telling you to be self made but I’m also telling you to remain open to outside assistance. Do NOT let a lack of funds be yet another reason that you don’t move forward with your passions. It may seem like you’re working three times as hard as the next person but it’ll be so worth it in the end. No matter the obstacle in your way, WE are going to move ahead anyway.
Step Four: Network!
Easier said than done but it’s time to meet people! You’ve done the research, started creating, and now you want to find people who are interested in the same things. This part is very crucial because growth is going to happen the more you connect with others. Find events that are happening around you where you can possibly meet other creatives. You can also join groups online and network within. There are also networking opportunities at seminars/speaking engagements. There will be a room full of people just like you, sharing similar interests with a wide array of expertise.
Posting on social media can also draw people toward you. Of course, always be safe and don’t just meet up with anyone online who says they want to meet up. Have discernment and meet in public settings with others. Always be on the lookout for opportunities because they are definitely out there. Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations. Even if you are a shy person, just consider how something as small as a conversation could be standing in your way. Always seek to network from a genuine place and not to use another creative solely for your purpose, build actual relationships. This may lead to opportunities that could benefit you far more than you anticipated.
Step Five: Keep Going
There will be times where you’re following all the steps and doing all the right things but nothing is seeming to work. This does not mean give up. Sometimes we just need a reset and a new approach. Don’t begin to compare your growth to the next person. We all have our own journeys and where one person is meant to go right, it may be meant for you to go left. Don’t miss your treasure because you’re following someone else’s map. Be committed to your uniqueness and continue to seek out what makes you different in this creative path.
These are just a few tips on how to begin your journey as a creative. I hope that they can help you unlock the doors on any creative blocks you may be experiencing right now. It’s time to get started, the new year is burning rubber to get here, let’s kick it off with being exactly who you want to be and doing exactly what you want to be doing with your life!
