Navigating 2024 – A Creative's Guide to Roadmaps, Resilience, and Unexpected Rewards.
I'm a firm believer in crafting plans rather than resolutions; give me endless lists and post-it notes, and I'm all in. Yet, my journey as an independent creative has taught me a valuable lesson: plans rarely unfold as expected. An unpredictable economy and unforeseen challenges can quickly disrupt our carefully crafted ideas and schedules, leaving us feeling annoyed, frustrated, stressed, and disheartened as business owners.
In the midst of goal-setting setbacks, however, I discovered unexpected rewards. Taking a step back allowed me to reconnect with my purpose. Why was I tirelessly battling against challenges? What fuelled my determination to avoid the conventional 9-5 grind? Delving into my core, I found the love and excitement that propelled me forward. This inner compass became my roadmap, guiding me through the unexpected and empowering me to pivot confidently when needed. Because a roadmap over goals gave me freedom. Knowing that I will get to where I need to be eventually while discovering new joys and valuable experiences along these ‘scenic routes’.
The key, I realised, is to be prepared for the unexpected. Acknowledge that plans don't always unfold seamlessly; perfection is a rare find. Don't wait for everything to align perfectly—accept and embrace change when something derailing hits, because it will, and leverage it to your advantage.
Adopting an open-minded approach grants you the freedom to explore, discover unexpected things about yourself and build resilience. This allows your creativity to be challenged in different ways and all of this is far more rewarding than ticking something off a list.
Christina Wilkins | Founder of Brand Biscuit Studio
The Brand Changemaker
My top take-aways
Craft Plans, Not Resolutions
Embrace the power of intentional planning over fleeting resolutions.
Unexpected Rewards:
Learn from setbacks; they often lead to unexpected rewards and personal growth.
Reconnect with your Purpose:
Take time to refocus on your core purpose and passion. It’s what creates who you are and why you do what you do, giving you a meaningful direction.
Inner Compass as your Roadmap:
Let your inner compass guide you through challenges and empower you to pivot confidently.
Prepare for the Unexpected:
Plans may not unfold seamlessly; be prepared for the unexpected twists, mould them into something useful and learn from the experience.
Embrace Change:
Accept and embrace change as a valuable opportunity rather than a setback.
Scenic Routes and New Experiences:
View diversions as scenic routes, appreciating the views and gaining new experiences.
Reward in Resilience and Discovery:
Building resilience and discovering new aspects of yourself is more rewarding than merely checking items off a list.
Have an Open-Minded Approach:
Adopt an open-minded approach for freedom and adventure. After all, life is for living not just learning.
