The Power of a Creative Side Hustle.

I think everyone needs a side hustle to keep growing professionally and creatively in their life and career!?Let me tell you why!

I work as a senior video producer for a large global non-profit organization. My job takes me around the world directing and producing film content for different campaigns and organizational projects. The work is challenging, interesting, and rewarding. I get to see unique situations where our organization is making a difference.?

However, as much as I enjoy telling these stories through film, there's a part of me that knows no job will meet all of a person's creative needs and desires. Just thinking it can is a sure-fire recipe for frustration and career stagnation.?

It's like thinking you only ever need one friend in your life. We all know we need more!

One decision I've made to keep growing creatively and take creative risks in my career is to embrace the power of a side hustle.?

We've had them at various times -?creative ventures, hobbies, or interests that are different from our primary jobs. A side hustle is something that inspires you and should bring you life-giving energy.?

How do you know it's a life-giving side hustle? Ask yourself: Do I get lost and energized in this work, business, or hobby??If your answer is yes, you might be onto something.

So what's the value in embracing a creative side hustle?

I'll give you my five:

1) It helps me to keep taking risks and growing creatively. All of us have limitations in our primary work roles, and we can sometimes feel stuck. A side-hustle hobby or venture gives the freedom to risk, fail, grow and experiment.

2) It feeds my creative soul and helps me think expansively. This has unexpected benefits. It can help me view my current career role in a different light and see new solutions to old problems.

3) It fuels my curiosity and challenges me to grow in new artistic skills. It's thru learning a new skill I develop a mindset of personal growth and self-discovery.?This learning mindset helps me solve other career challenges as a filmmaker.

4) It helps to build my emotional reserves and career stamina. If my creativity is being fed from my side hustle, I'm less stressed trying to draw all my contentment from my current role, with all its strains and responsibilities. I'm also less tempted to jump at a job change just to relieve temporary stress, and any job changes I do end up making have been thought through. I think all of us could use some extra career stamina.?

5) Finally, your side hustle might actually turn into the financially profitable business you've always wanted!?

So what's my side hustle? It's creating and selling abstract art. I've been painting for many years, and I just love it. I find myself energized and inspired through the painting process. I bring this creative energy back to my role as a senior video producer. You can see some of my art on my website called Milkolor.

So, I've told you about my creative side-hustle and how it helps me!

What's your creative side hustle???

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