How much are you really putting into your own growth?
Let’s face it, “I’m too busy” has become a go-to response for many of us. It’s a justification we offer up when we can’t fit another meeting into our packed schedules, a reason for why we haven’t pursued further training or education, and a shield we use to fend off opportunities that require time we believe we don’t have.
The Illusion of Busyness
Being busy is often worn as a badge of honor, a testament to one’s dedication and importance. Yet, there’s a fine line between being genuinely engaged in meaningful, productive work and being caught in a cycle of busyness that serves more as a distraction than a pathway to achievement. When we say we’re too busy for career development, we’re often caught in this cycle, prioritizing immediate tasks and short-term gratification over long-term growth and fulfillment.
The Cost of Neglected Career Development
“Too busy” is a trap that can lead to a stagnant career, missed opportunities for advancement, and ultimately, dissatisfaction with your professional life. Personally, it reflects a life potentially lived in service to the urgent rather than the important, where the days turn into years, and we find ourselves wondering where the time went and why we didn’t achieve the dreams we held for our careers.
If this sounds all too familiar, it’s time to make some deposits instead of withdrawals from the Bank of You. It’s not just about allocating resources; it’s about acknowledging that to truly excel, to really make a mark, we must prioritize our personal and professional development.
Here are 7 ways you can get back in the driver’s seat of your own career:
-
Dive into the Deep End of Learning
Cost: Your Curiosity. Dive into books, podcasts, and blogs. Your growth as a creator hinges on your willingness to learn. The best part? It’s free. Your library card is a ticket to worlds unknown and ideas unexplored. The internet is your oyster, and platforms like YouTube are pearls of wisdom waiting to be discovered. Chase knowledge like you chase your dreams.
-
Master Your Craft
Cost: Time. Time is the currency of mastery. Whether it’s photography, painting, writing, or any form of creation, the path to excellence is paved with hours of practice. This isn’t about mindless repetition but deliberate, focused improvement. Remember, the compound effect of daily habits is monumental. Dedicate time every day to hone your skills, and watch as your efforts multiply.
-
Build Your Tribe
Cost: Authenticity. Your network is your net worth, but genuine connections trump superficial acquaintances every time. Engage with your community. Support others’ work. Share your knowledge freely and watch as the universe reciprocates. Building a tribe doesn’t have a price tag, but it requires the currency of authenticity and the willingness to give without immediate expectation of return.
-
Invest in Tools and Tech
Cost: Dollars. Here’s where the wallet comes in. While creativity isn’t bound by the tools you use, the right equipment can elevate your work. Invest in quality where it counts. A painter needs good brushes, a photographer needs a reliable camera, and a writer needs a dependable laptop. Don’t go into debt, but don’t skimp on the tools that empower your artistry.
-
Prioritize Your Well-being
Cost: Discipline. Your health and well-being are the bedrock of your creativity. Investing in good nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep doesn’t cost much financially but requires the discipline to maintain. A healthy body and mind fuel your creativity, enabling you to do your best work.
-
Embrace Failure
Cost: Ego. The willingness to fail is perhaps the most significant investment you can make in yourself. Every failure is a lesson, a stepping stone to greatness. When you let go of the fear of failure, you open yourself up to limitless possibilities. This investment costs you your ego but pays dividends in growth and resilience.
-
Give Your Time to Others
Cost: Time (again). Mentorship, collaboration, community service—giving your time to help others is a powerful way to invest in yourself. It’s through teaching that we often learn the most. Plus, the connections and relationships you build through giving back are invaluable.
Keep Investing
Career development shouldn’t be seen as an item on your to-do list but as a continuous process that evolves with you. It requires regular reflection, adjustment, and commitment.
Investing in yourself as a creator is about mixing and matching the currencies of time, money, curiosity, discipline, and authenticity. It’s about recognizing that every action you take to improve yourself, your craft, and your well-being is a step towards building the creative life you dream of. Don’t be daunted by the journey. Be deliberate, be disciplined, and most importantly, be daring. Your best investment is the one you make in yourself.
Enjoy!
Listen to the Podcast
Subscribe
