Sean Low wrote a great short piece at DesignTAXI about not shortchanging the work we do as creatives.

If… you fully embrace the notion that your clients hire you for your intention and vision as much as they do for the end product, you will understand that doing things how you do them, without compromise, is the highest respect you can give.

I admitted during my session at Hello Etsy in Portland last month that I often find myself uncomfortable when not-my-people ask what I do – when I want my answer to be about Mighty Ugly. (When I want my answer to be about the other work I do, I say I edit crafts books and that usually puts and end to that bit of small talk.)

When I talk about Mighty Ugly, I shuffle my feet and mumble something about doing workshops with a creativity exercise, shuffle shuffle mumble mumble.

It’s ridiculous and I know it.

I run workshops that help people confront their creative demons, experiment with new approaches to creative expression, and build confidence in what they do. All sorts of people, whether they identify as creatives or not. Much of what I do is try to make people feel comfortable and safe while they do the scary, uncomfortable work themselves. That’s not an apology. I do it well, and I want to build my business so I can do it more.

I need these reminders to stop mumbling about what I do. I’m not doing anyone favours by shying away from having to explain myself in more than one sentence.

Do you mumble or shuffle your feet when you tell people about your work? Say it with me now: STOP DOING THAT.

4 responses to “From Mumbles to Declarations”

  1. Robin (noteverstill) Avatar

    If you and I were having a conversation and you said that thing, the “I run workshops…” thing, I would totally want to sign up. So you should say that thing. It’s appealing and intriguing. Own it!

    1. Kim Werker Avatar

      Thanks, Robin. I’m OWNING it. :)

  2. Elshabelle Avatar
    Elshabelle

    The same thing has started happening to me when I tell people that I want to get into crafting and making as a business, with the goal of eventually opening a store front. NEVER AGAIN. I’m a badass and I will continue to do things full of badassery!!

    THANK YOU! *high fives*

    1. Kim Werker Avatar

      *high fives*

      And you should put that on a t-shirt. “I’m a badass and I will continue to do things full of badassery!”

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