I am a big advocate for a well selected day job being incorporated into many of my clients’ creative lives. This is especially true of creatives who are progressive, challenge the status quo, expand cultural boundaries or are simply in a set up, learning or building phase of their arts biz. I think day jobs sometimes get a bad wrap because people have picked the wrong one! Here are 6 tell tale signs that you might need to reconsider yours and try something new.
Stops you saying yes to ideal opportunities
Your ideal day job should enable the flexibility for you to say yes to as many ideal creative opportunities as possible. Whether it be touring, artist residencies, conferences, time off to fulfill commissions or participate in training and networking a job that consistently blocks you from these activities isn’t serving your dream creative life. Be upfront with your employer that you are committed to your creative life and career.
Makes you tired
If your day job is leaving you exhausted with your energy levels at zero then you may need to either change the way you’re working or even the whole job altogether. Creativity takes energy, passion and an arts-business is hard work, if you are too knackered from the daily grind, stop grinding and hunt for a better fit.
Extinguishes your creative fires
Have your creative fires been put out by the realities of your day job? If your day job is sucking out the life out of your inspiration, creative vision and passion pick again!
Surrounds you with nay sayers and squashers
To thrive in the arts (or any industry really) you need to be surrounded by people who have your back, uplift you and support your dream. If you are working with a bunch of negative nellies go find somewhere that houses more kindred spirits.
It doesn’t leave time for your creating and arts-biz
Unless it’s the kind that allows you to sneak in some work on your creating during work hours, for most creatives, a full time day job will probably fall flat. Make sure that you are able to block out time to dedicate to all aspects of your creativity when you aren’t at work.
It doesn’t comfortably support your creative life financially
There’s no point getting a day job to pay your bills and support your creativity if it doesn’t manage that successfully! I like to aim for the job that pays the most for the least amount of work. Do your budget to make sure you are across your spending and know from the outset how many dollars that job needs to bring in.
More here on the upshot of day jobs!
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