Creative professionals of all kinds, from architects to writers, don’t do JOBS.

Well, not if they’re smart.

Creatives aren’t cut out to work for companies. As a client said today,  and I loosely quote, "companies suck the life out of you!"

Companies are about rules, policies, procedures, mass production.  Very few corporations with the notable exception of Google, Apple, and others provide the RIGHT ENVIRONMENT for creatives.

Artistic types, need to be able to, in fact MUST express their creative urges, in and through their work. For creatives their is no boundary between them and work.

They ARE their work.

And, they need environments that NURTURE, GUIDE, that expression NOT stifle it.

So, if you are a creative professional, don’t language it as a "Job Search". It’s NOT!

It’s a search for a way, a place, where you can DO YOUR WORK.

Making Better Decisions

Decisions, decisions!
We make dozens everyday. Little ones like whether to put PB or jam on our
bagel. And, less frequently big ones like should I break up with my significant
other?

Here are a couple of thoughts
to help with the “bigger” decisions.

Make Sure Your Deciding at the Right “Level”

Frequently we narrow
our decision possibilities. For example, we pose questions like “what car should I buy?” Notice how that
narrows our thinking, so we’re only focused on cars. What about doing what we
call moving up a level. So, we move from a focus on a specific kind of
transportation device to the more general category of transportation. The
question then becomes “what’s the best
transportation for me?” Doing that opens possibilities. Possibilities like
taking the bus, buying a scooter. So, when you have a big decision to make see
if changing the level from general to more specific or from specific to general
makes the decision better.

Untangle Related Decisions

Sometimes, two or more
decisions are tangled together because they’re ‘related’. For example, suppose
you and your significant other have been living together and now have to move.
You’re struggling with whether to move with her or move alone. You’ve really
got two decision mashed together which makes it really hard to decide. Pull
them apart. Focus on the relationship decision first. Making that decision will
then make the choice of home a lot clearer and easier. Why focus on the
relationship decision first? Because the other decision is ‘dependent’ on it. So,
make it first. By the way, relationship decisions ARE tough to make. I’m not
sure I have any wisdom to share in that area, so please chime in!

What’s helped you make better decisions? Add
your comments at my blog.

A new series from Time magazine about new careers, new jobs – unconventional jobs for unconventional professionals. Via Barbara Winter

It’s almost here!

Yep! My brand, spanking-new, interview series STARTS November 8, 2006.

BUT, I think the name of the series SUCKS!

So, I’m running a little contest.

The series will feature in-depth interviews with creative, eclectic, &/or multitalented, independent professionals who are "Slightly Famous" — to borrow the title of Steven Van Yoder’s wonderful book Get Slightly Famous

Currently the title of the series is "The Slightly Famous Touring Road Show".

But, I think it could be better!

Here’s the prize: I’m cleaning out my library. So, here’s what I’m going to do.

1st Place - 5 of my used-to-be favourite books  (all in excellent condition), e.g. "The 30th Edition of What Color Is Your Parachute".

2nd Place - 3 of my used-to-be favourite books, e.g. Radical Joy by Todd Allen Pressman.

3rd Place - 1 of my used-to-be favourite books — e.g. Working With Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.

Prizes will be awarded based on quantity and quality.

Send your suggestions here or simply comment on this post.