2021, creatively speaking, was a great success in my corner of the universe. Some of the highlights include:
Finishing my “100 Day Project” of digital illustrations
Betting big on myself and joined a group coaching program for creatives (shout out Side Hustler’s Coaching Program)
Illustrating for a real-deal client. And getting PAID to do it!
I took a chance and invested largely in myself and my business, transforming from a hobbyist drawing things on her iPad here and there to a professional with a plan, illustrating things that aligned with my goals and dreams, AND getting recognized for it.
But the truth is, I wouldn’t have had these highlights to share without 3 key lessons I learned in 2021.
They’re not glamorous but they are incredibly practical, and you can implement them into your creative or entrepreneurial journeys as well!
Let’s get into it.
Lesson 1: Saying “no” to client work gets easier with practice, and you will NOT regret saying no
You’re not the only * insert creative job here * out there
Saying no to client inquiries is difficult for a lot of creatives (and probably others too!).
I used to imagine that if I said no, my would-be clients were immediately sent into a panic-induced tailspin.
First of all, how arrogant of me - I’m not that good!
Second of all - that’s simply not true.
As my mentor once told me when I was feeling guilty about leaving my first full-time job, “They’ll find someone else.”
There are tons of other designers and creatives out there doing what you’re doing. And while that may feel intimidating, it’s meant to make you feel less burdened to take on every project that comes across your plate.
What happened when I started saying no to projects in 2021
When I started saying no to projects, it gave me freedom. Suddenly, I was able to:
Create specific work that I want to be hired to do
Shift and build my Instagram feed from custom watercolors to digital illustrations geared towards a specific industry (seriously, go look at how my Instagram feed changed from early 2021 to the end of 2021!)
Chill and breathe and take time off. It’s fun to be able to say yes to drinks out with friends on a weeknight without having to worry about when you’re going to fit that project in
I even thought about doing a set number of custom watercolor portraits for the holidays. I ended up not doing it because I didn’t have time to do the promotion on the front-end, and I’m so glad I didn’t!
It was really nice to ease out of the year, so to speak, and finish quietly and calmly, instead of in my typical mad dash fashion.
Questions to ask yourself before taking on your next project
Here are a few considerations when you’re deciding whether or not to take on a project. Let me know if you find these helpful!
Do I need the money?
This is real, y’all! And I am not trying to discount the need to make money. Even really successful designers and artists still talk about taking on so-called grunt projects to pay the bills. It’s okay to take on a lucrative project with an agreeable client, even if it won’t go on the Insta feed or on the portfolio website
Does this project move me towards my career goals?
Time spent on other projects means time not spent on chasing down those dreams. Just sayin’.
Is the client someone I want to stay connected with? (Aka - is there a relationship-building purpose to this project?)
Some projects might not move the sticks for your career, but building a relationship with the client could lead to future work, future connections to your dream projects or a deeper connection to your community.
Lesson 2: It is always worth it to invest in yourself and your dreams
M’s wisdom
When I was considering whether or not to burn a chunk of my savings on the Side Hustler’s Coaching program, I frantically DM’ed my friend/mentor/creative role model Madelyne (of @goodlettersdesign).
Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to meet within the slim 48 hours I had to make my decision, so we didn’t talk at length about the program or why I wanted to do it in the first place.
But she did say this - and it has stuck with me ever since:
“…it’s always worth it investing in yourself. Even if it doesn’t pay off in the ways you expect it to, it STILL pays off, just by taking that step and committing to yourself. It’s like a switch flips in your brain that allows you to take yourself, and your business, more seriously.”
I’m posting the screenshots of our conversation below and really, she says it all.
When you invest in yourself (financially or otherwise, in business or personally), you give yourself permission to take yourself and your goals seriously.
Lesson 3: Create a schedule for your work
The editorial calendar was HUGE for me in 2021. In fact, you can listen to me talk about how it benefitted me during the Side Hustler’s Coaching Program here.
Before I started implementing a schedule, I was just posting work as I had it done, not thinking at all about consistency or what my IG feed even looked like.
When I finished one project, I really had no idea what I was doing next and when I’d finish it.
The editorial calendar (which for me is a simple spreadsheet), changed the way I look at my project work and how I present my artwork.
Now, I:
Know my social schedule for the next 2 months
Ensure I’m hitting certain goals, like bi-weekly blog posts
Understand how a family of content works together, instead of just one post. For example:
Triptychs of content instead of just one post
How blog posts build on each other
Track analytics of my posts. The most engaged-with posts have consistently surprised me!
Remain calm when I don’t get something done exactly when I intended
The editorial calendar allows me to easily adjust and keep moving forward.
Conclusion
I hope these lessons were as helpful to you as they were to me this past year.
I’m dreaming big in 2022, and for the sake of accountability, I’m going to tell you what my goals are:
$10K in freelance
2 new passive income products
Bi-weekly blogs
Start an email list
Chiefs / KC BBQ poster
Recipe redesign or food-related series
Illustrative beer can design
Trail Glazers v.1 map printed and in doughnut shops
I can’t wait for this year to unfold. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m ready for it!
What goals do you have for 2022?