How to use your values to inspire creative entrepreneurship

When you’re first starting your own entrepreneurial journey as a creative, it’s good to know your physical goals. I know mine is to help 19 people shape their schedules to reignite creativity to their lives. Yours might be sustainably creating. Or selling your art, without a middleman or processing fees. But do you know your mental goals?

What are your values for your creative business journey? How do I want to feel, who do I want to be? How do I want my clients to feel, as we’re working together and once we’re done? How can I help make the fleeting feeling of success sustainable? Here’s a few things I’ve learned about my values since publishing my website 6 months ago.

I value generosity.

I don’t know everything, but my core strength is using communications and data to promote, educate, and inspire action. Copyediting comes naturally to me, and marketing is always changing. I don’t even think Google knows how large it is. But I understand how to use a range of channels to distribute a message. I believe websites are necessary platforms for pushing your individual goals. I may not be a Photoshop expert, but count me in for Microsoft Office, WordPress, and Facebook Ads.

Generosity comes in many forms. It’s my job to share what I can do and help where I can, and that often looks like digital help. As a result of sharing my website on social media, my friends have shared my website to their own channels, explored the site, and even gave my site to now potential clients! These connections are HUGE. Thanks, everyone for spreading the news and your kind words!

I value curiosity.

Just because I’ve been creating websites for years doesn’t mean my knowledge power ends. I’m still growing, and I want to keep developing as a person and professional. In the next couple weeks, I’m excited for meetings with people who care about interdisciplinary learning, independent work, and alternative education. We all can help each other. These are all opportunities to learn.

Some of my goals for the next couple months are to join a WordPress group, try an open mic night and slam a poem, and take swing dancing lessons. You may be thinking, wait, this is outside the realm of this website. I just want to stay creative and continue testing different mediums of expression. Taking a class is one of my 19 for 2019 goals.

I value mindfulness.

I’m learning my limits, and that does mean saying, “no” once and awhile (future blog post, anyone? Let me know if this is a need in the comments). If you’re like me, you’re trying to balance your main gig with passion projects. Or maybe you’re working 2 jobs. Or just life, whether it’s people, work, service, or whatever is taking your time.

I’m mindful of my introversion: I take breaks for time alone. It’s why I do best with 1:1 or 1:2 projects. I’m mindful of how many projects I can tackle at a time, but that also means I need to be mindful of other people’s time too. I’m mindful of what and how I share personal life. It’s my website, so I set the rules.

You might be thinking, is it too vulnerable to place your values in such high regard? I’m considering how good work feels. I’m here for the physical output: I want to write weekly and learn daily, but the emotional results matter too. I am being and feeling productive and creative. I value the feeling of doing something good for someone.

Creativity is often driven by emotion(s), and I think it’s important for entrepreneurial artists to consider their values when making professional decisions. I get it. It’s already difficult putting your work “out there” because it’s a piece of yourself, displayed for the world. But deciding what you value can direct your creative and business work. I’d love to know, what directs your creativity, your aspirations? Let me know in the comments. Need some help? I’m helping 19 creatives shift their schedules this year. Click here for more info and to apply.