For most creative businesses, this is the slow season. Actual business is slow as is those who will come in and book new business in 2013 and beyond. Now, some who have been in business for a while will have more or less than previous years. Even for those with more, maybe there are open slots that are key times. For a corporate graphic designer, no annual reports this year. Mostly, it does not make a difference what is not there, idle hands can cause fear and panic. Completely irrational, sure, but ever so real. No one knows what tomorrow will bring, but the idea that it will be different from yesterday and today is enough to send a lot (okay, most) of us over.
We can all be Chicken Little no matter the size of our creative businesses. Although, the bigger the business, the more (rationalized) reason to panic. Payroll, rent, heat, food, latte allowance. What happens if the annual report does not come through? The June wedding does not materialize? The client with the new house never calls? History is a cruel mistress – she tells you it will happen, but never exactly the same way twice. So you are left contemplating whether this will be the year it all changes.
Unlike 2008-9, when we knew we were in free fall, nothing is there to indicate this is where we are today. Yes, the Mayans could have miscalculated and the world could end tomorrow, it is just that nothing is out there showing us that it actually will. So we are forced to live in uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring, with faith that our art, creative business, and, most importantly, what they both stand for will carry us forward.
The problem with fear and panic is that it takes us away from ourselves and begs us to compromise in order to assuage ourselves. So when the prized June wedding comes along, you give away the store in order to get it. Your willness to do it for less invites comparisons to those who are not your competition, yes, because you did it for less, but because you did not stand up and say what it is you actually do for the money you are paid. Even more, fear and panic are like blinders on a horse. You see only what is in front and ignore the universe you cannot see. Yes, maybe the annual report did not come in, but there might be three re-brands awaiting you if only you would pay attention. Judge your creative business in the rear-view mirror and you are bound to live there.
The most insidious compromise of all though is not doing something for less or losing opportunity, it is allowing anyone to change how it is that you do things. If you hope to sustain and build your business, your process has to be iconic. How you do things is how you do things. Why? Your clients pay for your best, not your best under the circumstances. Your work is your painting to sign. No one has the right to tell you how to paint it. And yet. When fear and panic set in, the temptation is to let your client drive the proverbial bus in order to win their business. You are not Burger King and you cannot do it their way. So if you win business with this energy, you won the battle (with your competition) and lost the war (with yourself).
Incredibly hard, but when fear and panic are in the air, take a walk. Know deeply that you do not have a choice to compromise your integrity. Assuaging fear and panic is not a cure. Bad business yields more bad business. No business is better than bad business. You can deal with reality when there is nothing, bad business just lets you lie to yourself a little longer. And quick question, when you are knee deep in the bad business, what do you think your fear and panic will be like then?
Instead, work harder on why you, your art and your creative business stand apart, what your mantra is and how you most want to share your mantra, your vision with the world. Be more radically, outrageously you. Invite your client’s into that world and trust its intrinsic value. The rest will absolutely take care of itself.
{ 8 comments }
As always, you’ve written exactly what I need to hear. I just backed out of an incredible job after a couple of months realizing my integrity, process, and vision were truly going to be compromised for the project to continue–how my client thought my creative process should be. Not until I left did I realize the slippery slope I was starting to go down. Thank you for your affirmation!!
Spot on, Sean. No business is better than bad business. We should all have this sign posted over our keyboards as a reminder.
Spot on! And perfect timing for such a reminder.
Sean, such stellar advice as always. Especially in January, when sales are slow sometimes and it is just so easy to be tempted to hand the keys of the bus over to the clients.
It is also true that as I’ve built a business around “why ME”, that temptation happens less and less all the time.
Be more radically, outrageously you….thanks for the reminder!
Wow, I really needed to read this, and I think I need to read it again tomorrow. Thanks Sean. 🙂
Exactly what I needed to read again. Thanks, as always, for your insight.
Thank you, Sean for writing this. It seems you have touched many of us. This helps me really commit to what I already know. I refuse to lower my standards in my personal life why would I do it in my business life. It has been a hard six months but every couple that was not a good fit would have made it a hard year or more. I am working on being more and in doing so, I will attract the clients that appreciate, and respect my art. Thank you so much! This one is a keeper!