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I have been poring over the survey results, and I can’t tell you how energized I am as I read these. I’m eager to share some of what I’ve learned.
Who You Are
Your vocations vary! Among those who responded were writers, visual artists, musicians, career coaches, podcasters, bloggers, graphic artists, poets, teachers, photographers, speakers, producers, counselors, filmmakers, managers, students, and at least one draughtsman!
You’re educated! The vast majority of the survey respondents has either a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree plus a graduate degree. Smarties, that’s who you are!
You’re multinational. While most of you are from the U. S., I received responses from folks in Canada, England, China, India, New Zealand, and Australia!
What Your Struggles and Dreams Are
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When it comes to your creative pursuits, some of your biggest struggles are not enough time, a feeling of isolation or loneliness, and feeling overwhelmed by all that’s coming at you.
Many you struggle with a lack of “self-confidence.” One reader said s/he wanted to “squash insecurity!” At least one of you needs help “overcoming the feeling of ‘who am I?’ to write/blog.”
Another reader wrote that s/he was “unsure of which of a billion ideas to work on,” and several other phrases stood out to me: “Hard to focus on writing time when life demands so much,” “Trying to hear God’s voice in the noise,” “Too many ideas, how to prioritize which to focus on,” “So much vying more my attention,” “I get scattered,” and “lack of discipline.”
Your biggest dream is to contribute something meaningful and long-lasting to the world: “to write material that makes a difference,” “to have my work mean something to someone,” “to help others find hope, meaning, and love.” “I want my work to be able to help others,” one person wrote, “not just in my own generation but the generations to come.”
One individual wrote s/he would like “to compose a high-quality piece of music which [is] played publicly and well received,” while another individual wants “to change lives with beautiful, honest, and compelling stories.”
A large number of you would like to make some money: “to create passive income so I can have a location-independent lifestyle,” “to make money so I can ‘live well and give well!’” “to be able to sustainably write for my career,” “to pay the monthly bills without worrying,” and “to be able to quit my day job and be a creative full time.”
One person said s/he wanted “to see my creative self fully emerge.” I love that.
What You’re Looking For
In launching this survey I was especially interested to learn what you’re looking for, what you need to take the next steps in your creative journey. I learned many of you want to be part of an “ongoing community” that supports one another and engages new content on a regular basis.
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Many of you want to become better writers and need guidance on “how to get published.” You’re also looking for guidance on how to “create a creative lifestyle while juggling the other aspects of life” and how to “break through plateaus in tribe building.” Some of you want “affordable tech help.” A fair number of you are looking for “industry connections.” You want some help with “marketing on a shoestring budget” and the “business side” of things.
One person said s/he wants “an outline of small steps it takes to write a book and build a community leading to successful sales. Key word in this response is small.” I dig this a lot!
One person wrote they’d like to see “a very long series of posts on your professional insights as an editor at helping readers become their own best first editor. This could be things you see in everything from proposals to finished work. There have to be habits of mind to nurture and certain problems you see over and over again with corresponding solutions and insights.” I love this idea. While some of what I do at Baker is proprietary, I probably could offer more glimpses into the publishing process.
A good number of you are looking for “one-on-one coaching” and “positive encouragement and affirmation coupled with motivation . . . toward excellence.” More than one person said s/he wanted help becoming his/her own best first editor. One of you wants a guide for “taking your writing from the desk to the bookstore.” Great concept! Another person wants a guide on “How to Wrangle a Big Project Idea into a Manageable Project Plan.” That’s downright brilliant!
I Could Go On and On
The above is just a small sample of all the feedback that came in. Can you see why I’m excited? This is a robust community that’s buzzing with all kinds of struggles and hope and generosity and love! In other words you guys are AWESOME.
Now more than ever I feel a burden to help. Honestly some of your wants are beyond my abilities, but I do think I can serve you in ways that will make a difference. That’s what I’d like and feel called to do.
THANK YOU!
I challenge you to finish the following sentence in a comment below. As I think about my own creative journey, I want ___________________.
As I think about my own creative journey – I’m surprised and satisfied by what’s already happened, uncertain about how to balance creative pursuits with the rest of life (and resting), not quite clear about what I want my final product to be, but surprised to be enjoying the ride in spite of this.
Addison, I love the gratitude I hear in these words. There’s uncertainty and perhaps some fatigue in there too, but I hear the gratitude. And I appreciate that. I need to remember to hang on to gratitude.
As I think about my own creative journey, I want to hit the targets I have listed for accomplishing my dream and complete the 2014 goals I created to get me there.
Hooray! Go for it, Ali!
As I think about my own creative journey, I want to continue to flourish and also to produce things that are meaningful, accessible, and available to a wider audience than a monthly church newsletter can be.
Go for it, Karyl!!
Hi Chad,
Thank you for sharing the results of the survey. Sounds like no matter the walk of life or level of education, we all have much in common. I’d say that’s very encouraging to hear.
As I think about my own creative journey, I want to impact the world for Christ, accomplishing great things in His name and for His glory.
I love that we can choose to never stop learning. Still there comes a time when we have to take all of this learning and DO something with it; take action. I want to complete at least one project before beginning all the others swimming in my head. I want to emerge from lukewarm and reach the boiling point!
Sounds like a solid goal. You might decide on a date by which to complete the goal, and then write the goal down. Somehow the simple act of writing down our goals has a significant impact on our commitment level. Weird, I know, but it works!
WOW, that is pretty darn cool. I too, love what surveys tell us about who reads or visits my site. Your results tell me we are are looking to find a ways to communicate so that we can affect others in a positive way. 🙂
What Holly C ^^ wants! LOL
I want to…have something significant to show for all the struggles and inspire others to go for it, too.
I can totally relate to wanting to see the payoff for my struggles.
I agree with everyone above… What great responses, and good to know that we all have similar fears, hopes and goals! As I think about my own creative journey, I want…to overcome my fear, chase my inspiration and dream big!
Me too!
What great responses! You have built a great community here, I’m challenged by these insights. In my own creative journey, I want to make a difference through my writing. To get there, I need to keep moving past discouragement.
I hope this blog will help you do just that, Lisa.
As I think about my own creative journey, I want to drill it into my self-conscious mind not to take ‘no’ personally.
This is a good practice for us all.
Hi Chad,
I loved reading all the responses. You have a lot to work with and I look forward to your future posts and other creative ideas you’ll develop. As I think about my own creative journey, I want to make a living at my art of writing stories and then help others to do the same.
Yes!
As I move think about my own creative journey, I want to learn to be brave and bold, realizing that rejection is simply feedback, and doesn’t have to be the end — and SHOULDN’T be the end. I want to hone my voice as a songwriter, and establish my place in the christian music industry.
Hi Meredith,
Here’s my response to being bold and brave since we have a community going on here. Hope it helps a bit. 🙂 http://www.jilliankent.com/jills-quill/be-bold-be-brave/
Thank you, Jillian!
I love the title of John Maxwell’s recent book: sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. Hang in there and keep on keeping on. I hope my blog can be a source of help to you.
Winning and LEARNING — brilliant.
I will hold that close to my heart.
It will still take me some time to work up my nerve before BIG things, though. 🙂
Can’t change EVERYTHING!
I love the expression “realizing that rejection is simply feedback.” That’s helpful to me.
🙂 Yay! It changes my life whenever I remember it.
But it’s the fact that I forget it far too often that I am I still working on!
I loved reading all that you learned from your survey! How interesting, and reassuring that I am not alone. 😉
Let’s see, to finish your sentence: As I think about my own creative journey, I want to grow beyond frequent insecurity as a writer, to create unique stories that will touch the heart of readers, and I want to be published one day.
Love this! We all face insecurity. It’s one of the indications that we take our art seriously. But you’re right, we all must move past it if we are to fulfill our callings.
Wow! Lots of great feedback, Chad. I’m thrilled you received such helpful information. By the way, in case I didn’t mention it before, for the last six+ years I’ve worked for a virtual book tour company, so I’m willing to share with the group any tips I have on how authors can coordinate their own VBTs or how to work with a VBT company.
Here’s my answer to the challenge:
As I think about my own creative journey, I want to keep moving forward and seek representation more seriously.
Hope everyone has a blessed weekend.
Cheryl
Thanks for this amazing offer! I hope someone takes you up on it.