Remaining an Artist (Despite your 9-5)
In my career field (marketing/advertising/branding) it’s common for people to come from artistic backgrounds. Web designers were once painters, brand planners were novelists, PR pros were theater kids. At some point, whether it was a deliberate decision or something we backed into, we traded those artistic ambitions for a more realistic, safer, and perfectly reasonable job in advertising.
“It’s okay,” we told ourselves, “it’s a very creative profession.”
And it’s true. Compared to nearly everything else on the career menu of a fresh college grad, marketing is certainly an exciting, creative option. Colorful offices. Creative brainstorms. Fridge stocked full of beer. Jeans. What’s not to love?
But I wonder if, for many, it’s enough. I wonder if those artistic instincts are truly being fulfilled. After all, it’s one thing to create a website for a large financial company, and quite another to write and perform a song that reveals something about yourself, connects you with people who understand your perspective, and provides a deep emotional catharsis.
Both of these tasks are creative. But only one of them is art.
And I think many of us have found, at some point in our career, that mere creativity isn’t enough. What we’re realizing is that we need to connect with the same spirit which got us here in the first place. We need art.
Listen to Your Passion
Having a career is important. But so is having passion. It’s best when these two things are one and the same. But when they’re not, don’t let your passions wither and die in the name of some job.
That word just sounds dirty: job.
Passion is your friend; listen to it. It’s the force that points you toward the people and opportunities that will ultimately fulfill you. It’s the gravitational force that pulls you toward love and your true place in the world.
There are many way to reconnect with your passion. A few:
If your dreams are different that your 9-5 reality, that shouldn’t stop you from investing in what you love. There are plenty of hours in the day to follow your dreams, as long as you don’t let your day job drain all your energy (for the love of God don’t let this happen).
I recently started working with a spiritualist author in Germany whose books needed an editor. I’m getting up at 6:00AM every morning to spend an hour editing before going to work. I love it. It helps get my mind and energy flowing and prepares me for the day. And while editing isn’t necessarily my passion, I feel like I’m going through the motions of writing a book, and training my mind to eventually write books of my own. In this sense, It’s a step toward my dreams.
Whether your after-hours work is a stepping stone to a new career or just a hobby, it will re-connect you with a younger version of yourself: someone who wasn’t afraid to dream big. This younger-self will renew, energize, and delight you.
Have you tried pouring your artistic passion in your current career? I mean really looking at it differently and turning it into an artform? One of my best friends is a high school teacher in Portland. Shawn does more than teach. He inspires. He doesn’t look at his career as a job. he looks at it as a calling. He is therefore fulfilled by the same job that millions of teachers perform with apathy.
What can you do to transform your 9-5 from a chore into an artform? I’m guessing there is plenty. Approach it differently and you’ll get different results. Art isn’t limited to a notebook or a canvas. Art happens wherever you creatively apply your passion to make a difference.
If your inner-artist and passions are ignored for too long, you will become numb to their being (they won’t die, they can never die, but you’ll be living a harsh fantasy, unable to recognize them). If you find this happening, and you’ve tried everything to reverse it, it’s time for change. It’s easy to forget that life is full of options. There are plenty of jobs that foster an artistic environment and encourage their employees to express their vision.
Do you want a job like this? Then you’ve got to be brave an willing to take a chance. The right job for your inner-artist could be right around the corner. It’s like that beautiful girl at your high school dance. She’s waiting for you to ask her to dance, and she’s wondering what the hell is taking you so long. But you need to make the first move.
Surround Yourself with Things you Love
The very least you can do is remain a consumer of the art you love, and surround yourself with things that reflect your passion, stuff that reminds you of who you are and what you believe in.
Think of a time in your life when you felt happy or inspired. What music were you listening to at this time? What books were you reading? What were the philosophies that fueled your passion as you left your parent’s home for the first time to pursue your dreams? Reintroduce these things into your life. They matter, and could thaw the ice of apathy that’s built up over the years and spark a creative renaissance.
Most of us need to work in order to live. But the choice isn’t job vs. art. You can, and should, remain an artist despite your 9-5.
• Do you listen to your passion?
• Is your artistic calling being fulfilled?
• Your dreams represent your true self. Do you remember who you truly are?
• What can you do on a daily basis to keep your dreams alive?
Field Notes from the New Economy
As the Wall Street Occupiers know too well, the old economy is a sinking ship (same goes for much of our old culture, prejudices, and values). It’s inspiring that the Occupiers have the passion to stage nationwide demonstrations, but I have an even better idea — moving forward. Moving forward means, not protesting the sins of the old economy, but designing a New Economy. Moving forward means collaborating with creative thinkers who haven’t yet been jaded or compromised. Moving forward means dedicating our lives to doing what we love –which, when done on a massive scale with innovation and perseverance, just might end up saving the world.
Below is the first installment of No Brand Like Home’s new series, “Field Notes from the New Economy” with Kareem Ahmed, who recently quit his dream job to start New Economy Labs and carve out his own creative business niche.
Kareem is already living on the front lines the New Economy. And he’s (not so) patiently waiting for you to join him.
Take it from here, Kareem.
The New Economy: a magical land in which employees are employers, work is fun, imagination runs rampant and the prehistoric thinking of the business world is extinct.
Sounds too good to be true, right? I thought so too. Then I realized that the New Economy is already today’s economy.
A by-product of the Internet age, the core elements of the New Economy were originally brainstormed by myself and the incomparable Chris Cloud. It was birthed out of the necessity of the recent recession, which ushered in a wave of changes in the way we communicate and interact (with each other, with brands, etc.).
There’s suddenly an entire world of people who know their value, aren’t afraid to take risks, and are make something tangible out of nothing more than a dream. So what are some ways to thrive outside the status quo, and win the battle for your personal and professional happiness? The following practices are how I learned to stay afloat in the New Economy.
EXPLORE
For optimal results, exploration is key. Explore various mediums, methodologies, art-forms and lessons from history. It’s easier than ever to consume information, so consume more. Digest more. Explore more and get out of your comfort zone.
EXPERIMENT
We’re all mad scientists. We learn by doing. You’ve got to test and optimize what’s right for you, right for your business, and right for your lifestyle. Experiment out of need, experiment out of want. Find what works for you, because your needs may differ from those around you.
SHARE
Give to people. Share your thoughts, insights and creations with the world. Give input. Speak up during meetings. Give entertainment. Give knowledge. Give something useful. Give yourself.
COLLABORATE
We’ve evolved from: HSTDI (hire someone to do it) to DIY (do it yourself) to DIT (do it together). Collaboration is the most important element of participating in the New Economy.
FAIL
If the third time’s a charm, the first two were disasters. No one gets it right the first time. Be proud of your failures; carry them like trophies.
There is an alternative to the mindset that’s broken our nation. Kareem is one of many examples from the trenches, showing us that a New Economy isn’t only possible, it’s necessary. So while occupying Wall Street is an understandable way to vent our frustrations toward the powers-that-be, let’s instead consider occupying our dreams, and see how far they can take us.
You Are Always Your Own Boss (5 Ways I Learned to Stop Complaining & Love My Job)
Going to work sucks!
But does it have to? What if, imagine this, you actually enjoyed going to work every morning? What if you looked at your to-do list and instead of feeling drained, you felt energized? No, I haven’t been drinking (much), this is actually possible. And it’s easier than you think.
The presentation below is a summary of the philosophies and practices that have helped me grow professionally over the years and, more importantly, made me happier at work. The five topics in this presentation can be summarized in a simple mantra. It’s about doing it for yourself and not for others. It’s about not following directions but instead taking the initiative to be your own boss.
How exactly? Read on!
I’m currently available for speaking engagements on this and similar topics. I’ll be giving this presentation at two universities this month, McNally College of Music (thanks to my pal Kareem) and University of St. Thomas. Email me for my speaking availability.
Why I Got My First Tattoo
Last week I got my first tattoo. No big deal, right? These days almost everyone I know has one tattoo, if not several. But I had always been apprehensive about getting one, for many reasons.
• I value simplicity
• I evolve often in terms of philosophy and aesthetic
• I fear any tattoo will end up looking dated
• It lasts friggin forever
But despite my apprehension, I got one. And here’s why. It’s a statement of action. Will I ever change my mind about my tattoo? Maybe. But that same uncertainty applies to every decision we ever make. I’m embracing that reality.
Circumstances will never be perfect. You will never have a fool-proof idea. You will never create a guaranteed success. New Apple CEO Tim Cook, speaking on the company’s philosophy, recently said, “we take risks knowing that risk will sometimes result in failure, but without the possibility of failure there is no possibility of success.” Many decisions could end up being a mistake. But we still need to decide. We still need to act. This tattoo is a symbol of that action.
Bullshit
Happiness comes in direct proportion to your ability to rise above the bullshit.
What exactly do I mean by “bullshit”? Glad you asked…
These seven practices are rooted in inauthenticity and lead to inefficiencies in communication and creativity. Avoid them and don’t give credence to those who follow them. Train your eye to spot these practices and be very careful of what you choose to believe. Bullshit is everywhere.
The commonsense rules of the ‘real world’ are a fragile collection of socially reinforced illusions.
-Timothy Ferriss
James McCrae is a creative strategist, culture addict and writer broadcasting from Minneapolis. 
