Before you start reading today’s Creative Gist, open a music player of your choice and hit play on Bruno Mars’ ‘Grenade’ because we’re discussing career risks, which can be positively or negatively explosive.
As a creative, you’re most likely passionate about your craft and determined to scale up to a level of excellence visible to and embraced by a global audience. But like someone pining after their crush or trying to win their love, you must take calculated risks to attain your biggest career goals.
Read on to see what other creatives think about taking career risks and the kind of risks they’ve taken.
I’m still in the early stages of my career, but from my observation and study, taking career risks is important. Without taking risks or leaving your comfort zone, you won’t fulfil your potential.
Yes, I take career risks as a creative because I am ready to do anything, especially taking financial risks, to become successful. I’m prepared to pay whatever is necessary to keep pushing myself to where I want. I think playing it safe shows that you don’t want it bad enough or you’re just doing it for the money.
I do take career risks because I know there’s no profession without its risk. For example, as a content creator, one risk I constantly take while shooting videos is to improvise when I don’t have a tripod stand at hand. And because of this, my phone screen has broken countless times. Other times, my phone fell into the water or something worse.
Depending on what’s at stake, I do both. As a communicator, my risk-taking attempts often involve going out of the stipulated rules. More often than not, the things I write when I abandon the rules and embrace my creativity turn out better than my rule-binding write-ups. But then, I don't always do this; sometimes, I keep things safe.
I have had the opportunity to invest my time and skills in a few creative careers. In all cases, I came out with more experiences and a sense of fulfilment. Seeing as life is a risk, I will surely take future risks just like I have done in previous careers. As long as it’s what I want to do, then I will go for it. I don’t mind if it ends up being productive or not.
Conclusion
Renowned fantasy author Neil Gaiman said, “If you dare nothing, then when the day is over, nothing is all you will have gained.” We don’t expect you to be reckless or catch a grenade for your career, but only you know what risk is enough or too much to take to reach the peak of your creative career.
What career risks have you taken or are you willing to take to get your desired result as a creative? Do share with us below.
PS. If you would like to contribute as a respondent in the future episodes of the Creative Gist, send us an email to [email protected] or reach us via WhatsApp +2348088809311
