Fanu/FatGyver

Career protips / thoughts

Added 2023-08-09 12:10:19 +0000 UTC

That subject may be a bit cheesy or whatever, but it serves its purpose!

I haven't done a written post in a while, but I've been meaning to; got many on my notepad ready to go (there are many videos on the way, so trying to keep it a bit varied, too).
One I have had there for the longest is lists of short thoughts relating to one's career/success etc. These could be applied to being an artist, being a freelancer, running one's business, working with labels, etc.
So let's do these bite-size things every once in a while!
These are quite condensed, but I can assure these are true, based on my experience at least.
These are partly based on convos I have had with students / patrons / people I have mentored.

Having been one with a somewhat special skillset, having made my living that way for a good while, and having worked on some of my interests since I was a teenager, here's my stone-cold facts relating to that lifestyle. The older I get, the more I can assure you these are true.

• The more time you spend on what you are good at, the higher the chance that that becomes your living or at least a part of it.

• The better you do what you can do, the higher the chance that the work comes to you instead of you having to look or ask for for it.

• Taking risks is a must to grow and progress. Risks and work don’t always feel comfortable. It often feels "logical" and "safer" to turn down the risky moves that make you shit your pants and stay with what you feel safe with, even though it may not take your any further. Comfort zone may stall your progress.
Example: when I fully wanted to try and expand my audio business (which is now a full-time living, and has been for 8 years), I dropped ALL my other work so I could concentrate on the audio engineering thing fully in many ways (learning, focusing, offering my services).
I was doing a bit of teaching and language work at that time, and I just dropped it.

• Handling one task well may bring a lot more, so always treat every single task with equal respect and handle them as well as you can. The word always goes around, so never forget that.

• People that take more than 2 emails and messages to get back to you are not worth your time.

• Being good at your craft attracts a lot of people who want your expertise but won’t offer you anything in return. Don’t feel bad for not helping those people – time can be a luxury.

• …but on the other hand, helping people may spread a good word about you and earn you projects. Kindness you invest in life comes back to you manyfold.

• Being truly great at something, with a great reputation, beats paying for ads.

• Over the years, you develop a hunch in terms of how people/clients/etc feel when they approach you and who you might want to avoid. Your gut feeling is right most of the time. Every single weird case I have had, I have kind of sensed very early on, and have still accepted the project, sort of against my inner sense that I should probably avoid it...and I have regretted that later on. Listen to that voice.

• Be you. Don't stress it. Those who accept you as you are belong on your path, and those who don't aren't meant to be there.

• You will lose people along the way, but also meet new ones who you vibe with. What you are and represent will attract similar-minded people.

• Focusing fully on what you do may mean your circle of friends isn’t huge and you don’t go out much (I admit I am a total hermit, but I also do not have shame in admitting that!). A few good close people who resonate at your wavelength and who you can feed off of mean more than a large social circle of "empty friends". Don’t feel bad for being a bit of a hermit when it takes you closer to where you want to be. In the end, fulfilment is the goal.

• On the road to success, you must also fail a lot. It is unlikely that you will get successful at what you do unless you try things out, fail at some, win at some. Do not be afraid to get your hands dirty. Do not let the failures discourage you: they are to teach you. One should call them "experience" and not failures, actually.
Like me doing this post, heh: if it gets zero likes and comments, I will consider it a "fail" and not post about such stuff again 😜 But you need to try things out.

I would love to hear any thoughts of your in this vein!