The Creativity Quotient

Lately, I’ve been struggling to describe myself in the form of a short phrase. If someone were to ask who I am, here are my options:

How should I describe myself in the short two to three words that society expects when there are many great things about me that I do in life?

It’s natural to default to the job title that brings in the higher income, because that’s what we are conditioned to do. I’ve done this during my career transitional jobs that were only to supplement the career I was working towards. It’s sad to dismiss what we are actually passionate about because we are reduced to such a small phrase as a label of who we are.

Do you feel uncomfortable when someone asks you what you do for a living? Do you ever get curious about what others do within their dynamic lives? Below are some ways that I’ve navigated my own discomfort and worked towards my balanced creative life.

Defining Reality + Priorities

What is your primary income generator right now? Are you still in school? Whether you are happy or unhappy with what the answer to these questions are, this is your career supporter. This means that there is high value to maintain this until you are ready for a change. This is likely to have a set time frame during the week with predictable effort and outcome.

I worked as a receptionist at a car dealership while I was navigating how I wanted to transition my career. I found user experience design during downtime at the front desk computer and started researching graduate programs.

Hobbies + Passion Projects

What do you do with your time outside your priorities? What do you wish you were doing instead of scrolling on your phone?

Taking on an activity you love in your spare time is great for relieving stress and anxiety. It can place you in the state of flow, and bring so much joy into your life. These are the activities that you hold close to you whether you choose to monetize them or not.

I monetize my photography hobby by selling some of my favorite pieces as wall art and puzzles. If you are curious about my style check out my Etsy page. It’s become known as a great idea for gifts.

I currently do not monetize playing/performing on clarinet. That is my dearest enjoyment.

Continued Education

Do you need additional education or resources in order to do what you love for a living? Some professions require an advanced degree, but there are other ways to gain additional knowledge and skills.

• Professional Certifications
• Bootcamps
• Udemy or other online courses
• Workshops

During my career pivot, I went the MFA route. I’ve also taken additional courses online to build on my skills as technology advances.

How can you navigate a shift in your career?

Describe in a way of how you approach your day. Do you notice a task that you enjoy/don’t enjoy? How do you feel when you talk about it? This realization should highlight what brings you joy and what you can change and adjust within your career.