I am a rebel, I am an artist, and I never do what other people say. Not that I was always like this. Don’t get me wrong; I was a ‘good girl’ at school, studied hard, got good grades. I never got into trouble, really. But stubborn and single-minded, I am, yes. When everybody goes left, I go right, and vice-versa. Not choosing the beaten path, but choosing my own. This is what is, in my opinion, essential to make good art, or in fact anything that is innovative and good. But it does require stepping out of your comfort zone, a LOT. And that, for many, is the biggest hurdle. Still, you need to feel a bit scared to create your best work.
Copy-cats or scaredy-cats?
When we first start out as entrepreneurs, we know nothing. At least, I didn’t. I went with my gut feeling, my intuition and the knowledge I had at the time. And that often results in mediocre outcomes and no serious results. We copy what others do, we talk how they talk, dress how they dress, just to be seen as professional – and not an imposter. We look at their branding and do something similar. We want to be accepted in our industry. Only to discover that we become invisible, and blend in with the rest. That is the last thing you want as a business. It brings you no clients, or very bad ones.
So what, then? be brave, stand out.
Throw off the guard rails
I was talking about this today during a coaching call with a client, a filmmaker who lives in LA. I have coached him for the most part of this year, and his biggest challenge is to be brave and bold. People pleasing is something that many people suffer from, and holds them back from stepping into their own genius. Scared to be laughed at, scared to ruffle feathers. wanting to be liked and accepted. My client felt like this too, which kept him from believing in himself.
But when you want bigger things for yourself, and you want to win a movie award at the Sundance Festival, like my client does, you gotta stop playing small. You gotta throw off the guard rails and live on the edge a little. How else will you create something extraordinary? You need people to dislike you. If they all liked your work, it would be beige.
Get out of your safe zone to make something extraordinary
I love this video of an interview with David Bowie, in which he says: “If you feel save in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area.” And this gem of a quote:
“Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel like your feet are quite touching the bottom, you are just about at the right place to do something exciting.”
How to create your unique story
Crafting your unique story, or your Authentic Message, is ESSENTIAL if you want to build a sustainable business that is ready for growth. Without knowing who you are, what you stand for, and what your unique story is, clients will not be able to choose you over someone else. if you are a creative solopreneur, or an artist, you will not create your best work if you are trying to please others or are making stuff to ‘sell well’. Be edgy, and you’ll attract those who value it.
To create a solid creative business, you need three things: an Authentic Message, A Solid Strategy, and Unshakable Confidence. This is what I teach my clients in my 1:1 Passion to Profit programme. I don’t offer a cookie-cutter style business coaching programme, but instead help you shape your unique story, your USP, so that you can feel confident going into the world and create your best work, your best offers, and be your best creative self.
If you are a rebel like me, an out-of-the-box-thinker, and you know there is more for you out there, go and book a free 15-minute call. Let’s talk and design that action plan to make your creative dreams reality.
Nina Eggens
Creative Business Coach
