2019 — Welcome To The Revolution

In no particular order, here are my wishes/fantasies/pipe dreams for creative business owners for 2019:

1. Just because you each sell the same thing to clients, does not mean you are in the same business.  Quit comparing yourself to those who are not, in fact, you.  A designer who charges $50/hour for “consulting services” is NOT the same as you who charges the equivalent of $500/hour.  Entertaining the comparison just creates confusion and validates someone who is not yet worthy of the comparison.
2. Being the “best of” is important only if a) the person compiling the list matters, and b) if not being on the list prevents your clients from showing up.  For most of us, giving our power to another is a surefire way to cut a corner. Do great work without compromise and be radically better at being outrageous.  The rest will take care of itself. And if that does not get you there make up your own list.
3. Learn VR, 3D Rendering and AI as if the life of your creative business depended on it. Because it does.
4. Redefine value.  Stop talking about dollars.  It is boring, overdone and irrelevant to value. Know what you need for both your creative business and to produce your idea (i.e., the definition of design).  Get that — no more, no less and then move on to what really matters — filling an emotional void as only you and your art can.
5. Eliminate “the list of services” from existence.  Tell me what you are going to do, when you are going to do it and why I should care.  And then do just that.  Where are you, where were you and where are you going.
6. Be kind and expect kindness. Respect and expect respect. Money is not power, intention is.  If you are doing all that you can because a client tells you to, you are doing it with the intent on proving your value.  You have just proven the opposite.  Do what you do with the intention of doing great work for those that care.
7. Take a walk. Every day. Make time to think.  Have an answer beyond “just because” always.
8. It is crazy until someone buys it.
9. Marginally better isn’t.
10. Starving is a state of mind.  Hunger and starvation are not the same thing. Always be hungry. Leave if you are starving.
11. Look at your smallest projects of 2018. Ask yourself why you did them?  If the answer is because a) you needed the money, b) it was great marketing, or c) you really liked the client, promise you will never ever do something like that ever again.  Do you what you do or quit.
12. Quitting is not failure, it is a choice for those who need to be brighter somewhere else.  For the rest, there is no such thing as half quitting.  Be all in.  Every. Single. Day.