What Will Actually Motivate You?
Making Money Just to Make Money Won't Be Enough
One of the most surprising lessons that I’ve learned as an entrepreneur, a creative entrepreneur is the relationship to money in my business. When I first made the leap into working for myself I was what I would call “self-employed” I hadn’t developed products yet and didn’t really have a vision for the work that I would eventually end up doing. What I did know was that I no longer could sustain the brutal work culture that I was dealing with in my previous job and I needed to leave before I left this earthly plane.
So I did.
Those first three years were rough. I was offering services such as social media management (hated it) freelance writing (not a fan anymore) and anything else that I could do to make money as a creative. Making money for survival was my primary focus in those first years.
Then things began to shift.
I started to have a clearer vision of what I wanted this work, this creative work that I was dreaming up and designing to actually be. Even in my previous 9-5 I wasn’t working just to work. Like most people I was looking for connection, validation and to be seen in the work that I was doing.
Making money wasn’t enough to motivate me. This was really surprising to acknowledge. Building an online business (brand) is hard work. I used to think that people were full of it when they talked about how making money wouldn’t be enough to stay motivated.
What Will (Actually) Motivate You?
I ask this question with genuine curiosity. I ask it so that you can reflect on it because building a business whether it’s online or a bricks and mortar business is a very humbling experience.
You’ll have to do the hard work. Seriously. But, a lack of clarity related to self-motivation will derail you quickly.
I thought it might be helpful to share how I’ve been able to stay motivated as a digital creative.
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What Motivates Me
I’m going to share a list of things in no particular order.
Mission Driven Work
I love that I can design and curate work that leans into my personal mission of uplifting and supporting other creatives, their initiatives and impact driven work that helps others. It’s so exciting to me to see the other communities being designed and created by the wonderful humans in my community.
Professional Autonomy
One of the most irritating things about working for other people is that there is often a cap on what you can do within your scope of work. Creating and building my own business and brand allows me to explore building skillsets and expertise outside of the confines of a pre-defined role. I could do anything and everything that I dreamed of doing professionally within the context of my business. Be the CEO, developer, founder, community builder-you get the picture.
Connecting With Amazing People
The people that I’ve met since I started creating online are truly some of the most amazing humans ever. They have been the most supportive, kind and amazing humans that I’ve met. It has been so wonderful connecting with people who believe in my vision, show up for me and whose kindness has lit my world up and deepened my belief that there are a lot of amazing people out in the world. These friendships have brought me so much joy.
Workday and Life Flexibility
I’m able to design a workday and work week that allows me to lean into when I show up best.
No meetings before 10:00 am MTN-I’m not a morning person and I’m not 100% awake before that time (even though I am working)
Waking up naturally. I still wake up early, when my tells me.
I take time off when I need it. Rest when I’m tired.
Schedule vacations and retreats.
But, when I’m working, I’m working hard. Some days I work for the entire day. Most days I’m doing around 6 hours of deep-focused work.
Time with the People I Love
My love language is “time spent with others” I love that I’m able to design my days in such a way that when I’m spending time with family and friends-I don’t have to rush. I can be in the moment, savor it and just enjoy being in community with who I care about. Something that I couldn’t when working my old job(s).
So, I ask you again-What Motivates You?
The work of building an online business and brand is hard and making money just to make money won’t be enough to sustain your focus and energy in the long run.
Share below in the comments.
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