Overcoming Discouragement as a Creative

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Discouragement they say is the loss of enthusiasm. I experienced that some days ago. Let me share my story with you and of course the lessons I learnt. So, I got this job, okay I had quite a lot of jobs to handle at a time, coupled with pulling off recruitment process on time. But I happened to place priority on it because the owner needed it quite urgently. And of course, it was a new client so I couldn’t afford to disappoint her. The job was to create a logo for a start-up. Being a start-up actually didn’t matter, I wanted to create something for them that they can use for years before even thinking of rebranding. So, I met up with the representative from the brand, I got my design brief answered as we talked and I set out to work. Of course, as the process of design said, I started out with my mind mapping, then moved on to sketching. Yes, the pay was not much but I still wanted to do a great job. After I had done all those required things in the process of design, I came up with a design (the blockbuster) #laughs. Yes, it was the blockbuster to me. Now I understand why design gurus say that you should be the first person to be dissatisfied with your work. Well, we keep learning.

Delivery day came, I was all up and ready to deliver my blockbuster. I was so professional, (you know in presenting your logo, you have to show that you know what you are saying). After I did all my presentation - please note, it was on WhatsApp, physical presentation was not possible - I got a shock. My ‘blockbuster’ didn’t get as much as a glance from the head of the approval committee. The other person said it was not resonating. To be sincere, I was broken. Like I followed the rules (I am not much of a rule breaker anyway). I took my time, I digested the brief, I did what I thought was best for the start-up.  That night was a not good at all, I was aloof, discouraged, thinking of what I didn’t do right. At some point, I considered returning the money paid and just give up. That was how much I was discouraged.

But something kept me going. The thought that this will not be the only time that it will happen. The thought that I just have to keep going.  Then I decided to try it again. Research again, make adjustments and come up with something different. And yes, I came up with two designs that are totally new, in less than 12 hours. Remember, it was supposed to be needed urgently. Then I saw a post on LinkedIn by Chidi Nwaogu who with his twin, after months of consistency and not being discouraged they landed their first big job in 2012. Of course, the stories are different but the key thing being that don’t allow discouragement to affect you to the point of giving up. 

I presented again and I got another feedback of it looking familiar, like something seen online before. I wasn’t really affected this time, because by now I had built a thick skin. Approval has not been finally done but it promises to be great and I look forward to it.

Okay, so I decided to share a bit of my own experience with discouragement as a creative. It will always happen. But your response to it matters. Discouragement is like a rope, you can either allow it to take you down or you climb up with it (I hope I am talking like a motivational speaker o)

Have you had your share of discouragement in the creative world? Would you like to share it with the community? 

Common, let people learn from you too. You can go on to talk about it in the comment session. Looking to hear from you.

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See ya!!

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