The Reality of Working as a Full-Time Content Creator

1. Start small and build slowly

You might see some genius artists who spend 12-15 hours straight perfecting their craft. But that's exactly why they are geniuses. Because not everyone could be one. I know I'm not. Building on a habit on a small scale helped me understand that I actually could find the time to put in the work. By only increasing slowly but steady, the progress felt meaningful and manageable.

2. Use tools to increase creativity and productivity

In this age and time, everyone is a content creator thriving on visual media. Take advantage of the new technologies! Video editors like Wondershare Filmora simplifies the video editing process using smart, intuitive features that can automate repetitive tasks. Being used to more complex video editors, it surprises me how simple and extremely easy to use this while being so affordable. It takes away the complex of the technical process so you can focus on what really matters: storytelling.

3. In reality, I spend much more time on trivial tasks than being creative

Blogging, sending out newsletter, updating my online store, checking orders, working on the visual of my website, doing my taxes, posting on social medias, answering emails... The average person will spend over 90,000 hours, or about a third of our lives, at work. Being self-employed, especially when first starting out, it's even more than that. That's why it's so crucial to work smarter and develop a system in place that helps reducing the time spending on those tasks to the minimum so I have more time left for my personal and creative life.

4. Setting the boundaries

Having balance between my personality and the creative work isn’t something that happens overnight. As I work towards finding the right boundaries between personal life and creating content, I have to pause and reflect constantly on my thoughts and emotions to keep everything in check.

5. I have to accept that sometimes, "Done" is better than "Perfect"

There is no pressure from a boss. Without the boundary or the clear finish line, creators end up working hard and spending way too much time polishing and perfecting and end up losing the momentum and interests. So being an idealist by nature, I know that I need discipline and structure even if I might not like it sometimes.

6. On doing nothing

Through the lens of various artists, writers, and philosophers, Roman Muradov argues in his book 'On Doing Nothing' that doing nothing is both easily achievable and essential to leading an enjoyable and creative life.

It certainly has an irreplaceable place in my life. 

You can do so much while being idle.

Doing nothing is not a privilege reserved for those whose days aren't filled with work and obligations. We don't need to do much to cultivate idle thoughts: all it takes is to attune our minds to subtler movements, recognizing their arrivals and translating them into the medium of choice, whether it's a walk in the park or half an hour of creating art.

"There is no reason to do nothing. But then, there is no reason to fall in love, or gather autumn leaves. Life reveals itself most fulsomely in gaps and intermissions."

7. Passion alone is never enough

Working for ourselves requires a good business plan. Persistency and determination. Take the time to crunch some numbers. Investing in ourselves. 

Pelé, a Brazilian football legend said, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” 

8. Doing what I love is truly a privilege

Everyone should get to experience self-employment at least once and get to do work we love - it's so satisfying and joyful. It changes the whole perspective of life. But I know that not everyone would be able do to that. Life isn't all about diamonds and roses. So despite all the struggles and hardship I'm truly grateful for where I am now.

For me this is still a work in process. Most of the time, we’ll probably feel slightly off center.

That’s more than okay.

Be kind to ourselves. 

Admit when we’re having a hard time, and celebrate when we’ve had a breakthrough.

Share, lift, and shed light on the work of others we admire.

Protect our time and our vision. Be grateful.