Don’t we all wish we could do it all? Accomplish every dream? This has been one of the most difficult realizations in my creative life. I think as creatives it’s normal for us to have many hobbies and interests, and to always want to develop and learn new things as artists. It’s been really hard for me to sort through all of these interests + passions and decide what it is I want to do with my creative career. It’s all to easy to look at all of the possibilities and think, “I want to do them all!” but the reality is that’s just not possible. If I want to be known for quality work that represents me; I need to choose a focus. I need to specialize. When I look at all of the creative people I admire, they have chosen a focus, a path, a unique representation of who they are, usually in one specific medium (for the most part).
I’ve been stuck in this paralyzing place of trying to decide between different areas to focus on for a freelance business. I’ve been trying to focus on too many things and the result has been not making significant progress at any one of them. In fact, not specializing right away has been a long process of often being left feeling stretched too thin and confused. Let me save you the time and energy by just telling you that flat out. :) In the past year I’ve done wedding planning, event styling, visual merchandising, photography, and interior design. While they are all similar in different ways, that’s a LOT of areas! They’ve all been valuable experiences and I’ve learned from each of them, but it’s time to focus. I’m ready to get serious and decide what my next step is going to be. I’m ready to take the risk.
It helps to remember that I’m not choosing what I’m doing for the rest of my life; I’m deciding what I’m going to do right now at this stage in my career. And that’s exciting! I’m going to wait to tell you more until my rebrand, so hang tight! I can’t wait to share with you.
And remember, you can’t do it all. It’s all about focus. Find your sweet spot and own it! :)
xoxo
(Illustration by Molly Jacques. Down to Business is a collaborative series with Molly Jacques Illustration. View more here.)
Thursday, August 30th, 2012, 7:00 am | 
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August 30, 2012 at 7:09 am
I have ALWAYS wanted to be a wedding planner or a celebrant. I love weddings and any excuse to experience someone’s special day is a good one!
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August 30, 2012 at 8:31 am
Great post! I think you’re spot on. It’s fun to have a variety of creative hobbies and interests, and I think it’s great to stretch ourselves and learn new skills, but focus is most definitely needed in order to truly grow and develop as a creative.
I’m working through figuring that out a bit myself during this particular season. I’ve found a way to combine a few of the things I’m most passionate about through pursuing a pretty big dream of mine: writing a book! I’m creating an eBook that combines my love for writing, art, design, and photography, and as I continue down that path, I think it will help me refine my focus even more and figure out where I want to go from here. :)
Thanks again for writing! I’ve only recently discovered your blog, and I’ve been loving it!
Katie
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Colleen Reply:
August 30th, 2012 at 2:31 pm
That sounds awesome Katie!! Good for you. :) Glad you’re enjoying the series and thanks for your kind words! Happy to have you reading. :) xoxo
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August 30, 2012 at 8:55 am
aaah you intimidate me! i think ive always been in the “do it all” mindframe and the craziness suits me… id really love to choose a focus and i somehow feel like photography might be it. but then i get so excited about a million other things. i then think that motherhood would be my true focus but i am in the first year of a very exciting career (in branding!) — apparently these are the best times of our life :)
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Colleen Reply:
August 30th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Ashley, it’s definitely not my intention to intimidate at all! I’m just trying to share and help others at the same time. :) I hear ya about getting excited about too many things! If anything, it just takes time to figure it all out. Hope you find clarity soon! Thanks for commenting! xo
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August 30, 2012 at 9:51 am
You are spot on! I too have wondered what to do with my creative career. I have a blog and and Etsy shop, though I’m not too excited about the shop anymore. I’ve decided to focus on taking more photo classes, improving my photography, and mastering my blog writing. I know that will make me more fulfilled creatively.
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Colleen Reply:
August 30th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
that’s awesome Jamie! I guess that’s the beauty of being a creative, too. If something isn’t working or we’re no longer passionate about it, we can change things and move on! Good for you! :) xo.
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August 30, 2012 at 10:40 am
I hear ya, and this is a GREAT reminder. I’ve been taking on freelance work, and I’m learning that having a specialty is key. Taking all types of projects won’t work, and there are other people who can do it better. So it’s great when a designer friend refers a client to me for search strategy, and then I can refer him/her to a social media consultant, and so on.
Anyway, I’m rambling now. Feel free to shoot me a line if you ever want to chat about this stuff more. It’s great having a chance to meet others going through the same process!
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Colleen Reply:
August 30th, 2012 at 2:44 pm
Yes! Maybe I should have emphasized that it’s important to specialize specificially when freelancing. Totally agree! Thanks, yes I’d love to chat more!
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August 30, 2012 at 3:35 pm
This is such a beautifully written post, and such an important reminder. We really can’t do it all! Thanks for sharing!
xo Heather
http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/
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Colleen Reply:
August 30th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Aw thank you Heather! Thanks for reading! :)
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August 30, 2012 at 4:51 pm
My goodness, you HAVE been busy! It’s hard when there are so many wonderful things in the world to do, but doing just one (or maybe two?) things really well is so much more satisfying!
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August 30, 2012 at 7:25 pm
Yes it’s important to find our niche, our passion. I used to be a jack of all trades but master of none. Dabbled in many areas in the creative field in my twenties, started a training business and after 15 years I’m now a homemaker. But there’s no regrets. All the experiences and skills certainly helped me along the way. I would advise anyone in their twenties to explore all options and you will eventually find your niche, your passion.There and then you will have a sense of purpose and fulfillment. This is a great post and all the best in the new venture!
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Colleen Reply:
August 30th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Fauzi – I love what you said: “jack of all trades but master of none” – what a great phrase! I love your attitude about no regrets and thank you so much for sharing your perspective! I really appreciate your comment (and advice!). :) xoxo
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August 30, 2012 at 8:45 pm
You’re really right about focus. I had another blogger tell me that if I wanted to be able to write effectively, I would have to narrow it down to exactly what I want to write about – and she’s definitely spot on
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August 31, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Hi!
I just found your blog via Miss Modish and started looking around. So far I love you blog. I am also a Midwest girl from Iowa. I have been living in sunny CA for 8 years now. I just wanted to say I have done the same thing. I have a full time “cube” job all the while running my growing business on nights and weekends. I started off this “side” job trying to sell die cuts for scrapbooking. Which turned into wedding place cards and more. Which is now what I sell – wedding paper goods. It’s crazy how one thing turned into another. I can’t wait to read more of your blog.
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September 1, 2012 at 9:55 am
Sometimes I wonder if I am commitment phobic as I can’t commit to any one or two things! Or perhaps a better analogy is that I am a polygamist in my interests – I have so many passions and interests that I want to be “married” or committed to all of them!
But you are sooooo right – we really do need to pick one or two things and specialise in them. Then we’ll develop our own expertise AND others will more easily know what we are about.
Kid in the candy store, I tell ya, kid in the candy store.
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September 2, 2012 at 9:54 pm
I find this to be true of my life. I am trying to figure out what I want to do yet there are so many things that I love. It is so hard to pick! Thank you for the reminder. :]
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