lil'd designs: Tip #3 For Creatives' Peaceful Space

Survival Tips for the Creatives!!

I’ve written a couple of posts about my struggles with being a Creative.

Keeping positive people around. Haters that have settled for the 9 to 5 gig.

The latest one come after an ongoing lesson.

TIP #3 (in no particular order)

Scenario: A person finds out that you are creative and decides that you should help ‘us’ make money by making their ‘idea’.

Here are the questions as I see them.

1. If it’s such a great idea why haven’t you made it into a money maker for yourself?

2. Because they lack the skills to pull off their ‘idea’: Who’s doing the work while you line

your pockets with my sweat and creativity.

3. Did I ask for your ‘inspiration’?

4. Who appointed me the doer of your dreams?

5. When do I make time from the plan I have made for my dreams and work

to add the work of your (our) project?

6. Why exactly haven’t you learned the skills that it takes to make your own?

7. Why did it take me sooooo long to finally, firmly say ‘NO!’

Here are the facts as I see them:

On numerous occasions, I have been approached by well meaning individuals that lack the creative skills, but certainly not the visionary skills, to produce a line of whatever, beanies, capes, outer wear. Not a can you make me a custom piece request, but a LINE.

My defenses always go up but the word no, never surfaced.

Here are the conclusions:

What I've come to understand: I'm not a collaborative creator UNLESS you are a creator. It’s like being an Electrical Engineer and advising a Teacher on the learning style of a certain student you have never observed, taught or met. You don’t have the required skill set OR info to effectively attach to that student.

Would you allow me to come to your job and advise you on the procedures?

Others may not be bothered by these individuals but it drives me crazy. Like I’ve been waiting around all my life for their vision to save me from my uncreative mind. So today, I finally put to rest the last of these requests. I will stay true to my design ethic. I have said a firm NO.

I create from a place of calm, peace and healing. My creativity is therapeutic. I cannot peacefully create someone else’s vision while mine are on hold. That creates confusion and anger which are not present when I create. May seem eccentric to you, but to me it makes complete and total sense.

So Tip #3 (in no particular order) for Creatives' Peaceful Space: