“The best part of this is the part that says creativity isn’t something you either have or you don’t. Everyone’s got it, and “creative” people are just better at making time and space for creativity to happen.
What I’d like to provide as a supplement, or maybe complement, to this book is a quick guide for creatives that gives some insight as to why non-creative people really dislike you. Or: Why you can’t get along with less creative types.
Let’s say you’re a muralist. Eventually you’ll have to work with someone who is in charge of a bank. They want a cool street art mural on the side of the building, they’ve hired you. Here’s some advice.
1. It’s so hard
Yes, it’s work, whatever you’re doing, but refrain from complaining about how difficult it is to someone who is doing non-creative work. Believe me, to them, what you’re doing looks fun. It makes it seem like you don’t respect what they’re doing. Which you might not, but that can remain our little secret, no?
2. Creativity doesn’t work on a deadline
Sure it does. It can, anyway. Plenty of creative people do plenty of creative things, and they do them on a schedule. Being creative is no excuse for blowing your deadlines, and next time you’ll lose the gig to someone who may or may not be less creative but can deliver on time.
3. I do my best work under pressure
Don’t do your work under deadline pressure, please. This puts the banker guy in the position of making excuses for you when other people want to see your progress or where you’re headed. Besides, it’s not true. Your final product will be better if you do a sketch every day for a week than if you just sit around and do nothing.
4. Form and function
When you get paid to do a mural (or whatever creative thing), recognize that they pay you partially to do things they way they want them. It’s not like the customer is ALWAYS right, but if you propose a mural for the side of the bank that’s, I don’t know, advocating for sex workers, you should probably expect some pushback and have another, alternative idea in your pocket. Maybe another way to say it: they pay you to do something they want in your style, not necessarily to do something you want in your style.
5. The secondary job
Your first job is to get the mural done and do it right. Your second job, which is at play throughout the process, is to get hired for another gig. If you treat people right, if you do things on time, if you’re flexible and can work within their parameters, if you can generally be someone people want to work with again, you’ll have a much better shot at getting that second job.
A regular-ass job, you are vaguely aware of this day to day. What can I do today to help make sure I have a place here tomorrow? How should I act in this meeting in order to make sure I get what I need tomorrow? Can I still work with this person if I say X?
You might be on a longer timeline as a freelancer, but the same idea applies.”