As a perfectionist, I am always striving to improve upon myself as a designer. I try to learn new skills, educate myself on up-and-coming trends, and seek out fresh inspiration. But seeking external means of improvement is only part of the process. To truly grow as a professional, a person needs to cultivate meaningful relationships. And this can be done with a creative mentor.
Soul Searching
I am by nature introverted. So beginning a new relationship, even a professional one, is absolutely terrifying. But what is even more challenging is determining the path towards growth. There’s a lot of soul searching that needs to occur and a lot of questions that need to be answered. What do I want out of my career? How do I define success? What are my strengths and weaknesses?
I personally do not care about titles, awards, or egos. For me, being successful means producing high-quality work, consistently upping my game, and being respected by my peers. Obviously, salary is an important factor, but for me it does not contribute to the definition of success.
A Creative Rut
A few years ago, I was feeling stuck at my job at the time and was very much in a creative rut. I reached out to a designer I’ve long admired, Lauren Hom, and asked her for her advice. I had previously attended her workshop, joined her online classes, and participated in her weekly lettering challenges.
Because I had been a part of her extended creative community and she had positioned herself as a teacher and advisor, I felt comfortable reaching out to her as a mentor. We wound up scheduling weekly progress calls and with her support I was finally motivated to dig myself out of the rut.
A New Beginning
Recently, I began a much more corporate job. I’m still learning the ropes, but the same yearning to improve is still prominent. While the job itself is less creative, I always want to be flexing those muscles. It is for this reason that I enrolled in my company’s creative mentorship program. However, this time is different. Previously, I had a specific problem to address. Now, I have a vast expanse of possibilities and avenues to pursue. The prospect is overwhelming to say the least.
In the end, you get out of it what you put in it. It’s too soon to say how this new mentorship opportunity will flesh out. I’m going into it with no specific direction in mind. But I’m going in with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Hopefully that’s enough. I’ll let you know how it goes.