The 5 People All Creatives Need in Their Lives

Roberto Blake

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As creative professionals we often find ourselves married to our work. Whether you have an introverted personality or not there can be a tendency to work in solitude for one reason or another. Relationships are important, even beyond building your network, finding clients or interacting in the workplace.

Here are the 5 People All Creatives Need In Their Lives

• The Cheerleader
• The Professor
• The Connector
• The Wise Old Wizard
• The Bean Counter

The Cheerleader

Everyone needs to know that they have support and people who care about them. When you feel like throwing in the towel this person can bolster your confidence and remind you of your past accomplishments and victories. When you succeed they are happy to acknowledge your successes and celebrate them with you. Having this person in your life can make all the difference in the perspective you have throughout your career and creative life.

The Professor

Most creatives tend to be non-technical despite using technical tools most of the time. It’s why many creatives lean towards Apple products. But sometimes things go wrong or you don’t know what to buy or why you should buy it. Being able to call on “The Professor” when this happens is convenient. Everyone needs that very knowledgeable friend who is generous with their time and keeps things simple for you, or can just fix whatever is broken in an instant. Having this person on speed dial is a must if you want peace of mind.

The Connector

This person is invaluable if you consider yourself to be introverted or shy and they may be the difference in whether you career flourishes or stagnates. Connectors are natural social butterflies and have a talent for putting the right people in the same place. They know quality when they see it and anyone they introduce you to will have the ability to create tremendous value for you and vise versa.

The Wise Old Wizard

Having a mentor can reduce the hardships we face throughout our careers and life. Someone whose experience can show us what is possible and even what to avoid. Finding this person can be challenging but if you manage to find the right guide, you can reduce the learning curve considerably.

Mentors don’t always play an active part in your life and they may even be someone you never meet face to face. However learning from those who have gone before you (and have accomplished things that you might be struggling with) can provide you with valuable insight or even a clear path to execution. Study their journey, their habits, and especially their mistakes.

The Bean Counter

As creative professionals we tend to be very passionate and even romantic about our ideas. Having a friend or colleague that is extremely practical is a valuable asset you can’t take for granted. This person will hold you accountable and keep you from flying too close to the sun. You may not always appreciate them reining you in, but you should learn to thank them for it anyway. Having this person around often is the difference between being successful or becoming a starving artist.