Whenever us creative types get together, or–come to think of it–even when we’re alone, it’s usually all about “me”, “my”, or “we” or “I”. What is MY next gig, what am I doing to improve MY portfolio, MY solo exhibition, MY client list, MY ad campaign, MY blog, MY bank account, gear locker, self-promo mailer, vision… You get the point. Don’t deny it.
As a result, we can be overly paranoid, competitive, frustrated, cocky, going for broke, indulgent, critical, self-absorbed, self-loathing, self aggrandizing and overly analytical. We spend a lot of time living in our own heads.
But the truth is, we’re way better creatives when we’re better people. Better to ourselves, better to others, better to the world.
I just bumped into a close friend on the way back from my morning coffee. He shook my tree a little bit and told me a quick story in realizing this about himself. The story ended with his re-framing his self-focus into a simple plan to motivate a change. At the wrap up of each day he’s asking himself “what are 3 things I did to make somebody else’s life better today?”
I like that. Perhaps you should too.
Yup i know how much of a difference it makes.
Spoke to a friend this evening and helped him out with one of his issue and felt really nice when he said “Thankyou” from the bottom of his heart.
But on other hand .. should we call it selfish if we at times when low feel left out and nobody to cater and address our needs and make us smile ?
Anyways like this post a lot 🙂
-Shiv
Its a fine idea, I work retail, my job at work is to help people, I Can tell you it takes a special person to do that everyday, and take the good and bad of it all the while not destroying themselves “helping” others. I want to pose the idea that “making somebody else’s life better today” can be as detrimental as living inside your own head.
Damn straight. Great to see this coming from one in the industry who has a broad and potent influence. Thanks Case.
Thank you for the reminder Chase 😀
You’re totally right Chase! It’s not always about boasting your own fame or making yourself look better than others – It’s about helping others!
I’ve found that if you share one piece of knowledge to other people, they have a tendency to share back with their own ideas. Let’s take that, and magnify it! Let’s say we share that same piece of knowledge with 100 other people, and assuming they share something in return, that’s 100 new bits of info you didn’t have before. Sharing is caring! 🙂
Great article Chase! Keep it up!