Author: Laura Pell | Artisan Creative

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So far Laura Pell has created 30 blog entries.

How to Let Go of Fear

Wednesday, June 10th, 2015|

Why does it become hard to let go of some things?

Fromthe “Don’t do that!”, to “Watch out!” and the “No”s, that were fed tous on a daily basis as children; to what is pushed at usvia numerous information outlets, fear often becomes deeply ingrainedwithin our survival instinct. An instinct that is always on to save usfrom ourselves, is what makes it hard to let go.

Over the years wetend to hold on to a collection of “fears” that accumulate over ourlifetime. It’s only when we let go of these “fears”, that we moveforward and actually do the things we enjoy the most out of life. So thechoice comes down to holding on to what’s keeping us back, or findingthe courage to get uncomfortable and let go.

I recently had lunchwith a cousin who’d just gone skydiving, even though she was afraid ofheights. Once they were at 12,000 feet, she wasn’t going to go downwithout a fight, as she defiantly stood her ground. Finally, herinstructor took control and out they went. As she screamed (first infear and then in joy) all the way down, she realized that she has losther fear of heights and with a big smile across her face they glideddown with tranquility, their chute spread wide open.

Since Ioften drive down to see her, and now that she was fearless, I asked whenshe would next come up to see me and she answered: “We’ll I’m a littlebit afraid of driving around on your LA freeways!”

How do you let go of what’s holding you back?

Jamie is the founder of Life Work Integration,a process that integrates passion with purpose and vision. You canreach him at jamie@lifeworkintegration.com & via Twitter @jdouraghy

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Putting Some Thought Into It

Wednesday, May 27th, 2015|

This week’s blog is brought to you by Artisan Creative’s Founder, Jamie Douraghy. You can find out more about Jamie at the links at the end of this post.

When pressure is on to get something done, how much time do you put into thought vs. falling into knee jerk reaction mode?

Withtoday’s expectations on having everything handled rapidly; from quickdecisions, to abbreviated texts and those cryptic emails that seem to beburning up our mobile devices until we respond, we risk paintingourselves into uncomfortable corners.

I believe that putting somethought at the forefront of our decision making/ability to rapidlyrespond, will help slow things down. Asking a few discovery questionsbefore jumping right back in and executing, will help separate theimportant from the urgent:

Why is this important to me, and who else will this impact?

Does this need to be done right now?

Why am I choosing to go down this path?

Have I thought about the outcome, or am I just adding fuel to the fire?

Doyour best to overcome that internal pressing desire for momentarysatisfaction that comes from responding, before considering what thatresponse could lead to.

When you’ve deliberated the possibleoutcomes, move forward with more self awareness and confidence since youhave put time and thought towards achieving your desired outcome.

What mindset do you employ to generate thought before action?

Jamieis the founder of Artisan Creative and Life Work Integration, a process that integratespassion with purpose and vision. You can reach him atjamie@lifeworkintegration.com & via twitter www.twitter.com/jdouraghy

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Passion Projects: Finding Your Way through Busy Schedules to Do What You Love

Wednesday, May 13th, 2015|

I recently read a thread where a commenter was aghast at how someone could have so much time to work a full time job, work out and still find the time to pursue passion projects. And what was their response? “I don’t have the time, I make the time.” This really resonated with me. Everyone is always so busy that it’s easy to forget about the things that matter. Some of us are lucky to have careers that exercise both our passions and our skills. Others are in roles that provide financial security yet still yearn to flex their creative muscles outside of their day job.

So what can you do if you fall into the latter category or you’re one of those who just don’t have the time or the energy to pursue a passion project?

If you haven’t found your passion yet, there’s no need to fret. You may not discover what makes you tick right away. It may be as simple as sitting down and thinking about what you’re missing. Are you sociable and outgoing but lately haven’t been getting much interaction? Did you used to volunteer or paint on weekends? By making a few small changes to your routine you can find your passion.

Learn to say no
Perhaps you lack assertiveness or you don’t want to be impolite, but that doesn’t mean you have to agree to everything that is thrown your way. If you’re constantly busy and it’s causing you stress, just say no. Be mindful of what is asked and how you respond but a simple “I’m unable to right now, but I will let you know if anything changes” is a more indirect, yet still polite way to decline. Your time and your life are precious. If you find you’re putting in crazy hours at work or spending your free time doing things you’d rather not be doing, it’s time to take a step back.

Do what you love
It sounds easy enough, doesn’t it? What do you love doing? What’s your favorite way to spend time? A passion project isn’t something you do half-heartedly. We recently placed a blogger in a full time position who had never held a professional job as a blogger, but it was her passion in her spare time. Without fail, come rain or shine, each week she would put out 5 posts on her personal blog because it was what she loved. She spoke with enthusiasm and it was evident to Artisan, and our client, that she truly loved what she did. And now she gets to live out her passion every day as a career. By being persistent and taking the time, it is possible to find your passion and make it work for you.

Prioritize
We’re supposed to do the arduous tasks first and get to the menial stuff later. How many of us whittle away our precious time on tasks that don’t really require our undivided attention? A to-do list doesn’t have to stop at the office. Make a list for everything you need to do that week and figure out what’s most important. It may seem like a lot in your head but on paper things start to make a lot more sense.

Take a break
A break from your desk or a break from your routine, whatever it is, take a break. Go for a walk around your neighborhood, grab a coffee and relax. Think about where you want to be and how you can get there. Do you just want one day a week dedicated to you? If so, what needs to change in order for you to achieve it? Calendar yourself an hour each day to step away from work and do something for you.

What is your passion project? Do you have any advice to share based on your personal experiences?

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Knowing Where You’re Going

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015|

On a trip to Washington DC, I noticed this group of sailors walking up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with a sense of purpose. I could see this with the pace they were walking at and they way they were speaking to one another. Clearly their destination had lot to do with it, as did their proximity to their goal for the morning.

Once inside, what had started as animated conversations quickly turned to hushed voices, combined with thoughtful reflection. Their short journey up the stairs was complete and they could now fully take in and appreciate the moment in front of them.

A few thoughts on the importance of knowing your way every day:

     Know your purpose, you’ll know what direction to head in and WHY
    When you know your WHY, you’ll know your WAY
    A plan will put you on the right path
    You’ll spend less time waiting and more time doing

As the baseball sage Yogi Berra once said:

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else!”

Do you know where you are going and how you’re going to get there?

Jamie Douraghy – Artisan Founder

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20 Years in the Making: Why Stay With a Company for 20 Years?

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015|

Why stay with a company for 20 years?

Last month we celebrated a rare milestone with one of our employees: 20 years! I asked Margaret Jung (on the far left of the picture) why she’s stayed with Artisan Creative for 2 decades, through growth and success, as well as through trying times and cutbacks. We thought it would be interesting to share some of her thoughts, as this one question brought forth so many answers:

Artisan fosters a rewarding environment where I feel appreciated, recognized and supported. The people you work with must have chemistry and each other’s backs. Over time, this builds friendships & relationships that last even as people move on.

The versatility of my business development role offers flexibility, autonomy and no bureaucracy. Plus, I have the opportunity to create success, for our clients and talent, our team and my family.

I believe in being consistent and loving what you do.

I do not watch the clock.

I believe in relationships based on trust, and that honesty and integrity are essential within a company.

I enjoy working with strong personalities that come with being in the creative field. I find the dynamics of the creative mindset engaging as we are always learning and growing from this ever evolving field we work in.

I am driven by the search to find the best solution for my clients and talent.

We share and believe in common values, that set the foundation for a good business model. Compensation is in alignment with results delivered.

The president has ability to listen and make change for the better. I’m kept in the loop and frequently communicated with. I feel valued and understood, with a lot of trust in my abilities to deliver.

The entrepreneurial environment at Artisan suits my personality. An open door is truly open to share the good and the bad, in a genuine environment that cares.

I hold myself accountable to my commitments.

I have a passion for selling and a desire to perform.

I enjoy the constant learning from being in a dynamic industry and working with really smart people.

I have mentorship from the president along with a leadership responsibility to create success for the team.

I’ve learned how to manage growing pains and make tough choices.

In a lifetime you only really find a few leaders that you truly trust and respect, and know that they are there for you.

The tougher periods are handled by not listening to the negative for too long and by focusing on the positive. Always believing that more good than bad is around the corner, and never, ever, giving up!

For me, this is the difference between a career and a job. And over the past 20 years everything I gave the company, I got back and more.

How long have you been at your career, and what keeps you engaged and coming back for more year over year?

Jamie Douraghy – Artisan Founder

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Earth Day: How Are You Celebrating Today?

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015|

Earth Day is a celebration and a recognition to show support for environmental protection. Celebrated in more that 190 countries, the aim is to educate and activate an environmental movement through campaigns.

Whether you want to save the bees or take note on climate change, there are a number of ways to get involved. Here in LA the Arts District is having an Earth Day Community Clean Up beginning at 5.30PM today.

Will you be participating in Earth Day today? If so, how to you celebrate?

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Filing Taxes as a Freelancer: How to Make Your Life Easier

Wednesday, April 15th, 2015|

Keeping track of your income and every single expense throughout the year can be tricky unless you stay organized. Financial decisions may be daunting, but they don’t have to be when you follow these handy tips to get you through the next fiscal year.

Keep records of clients and payments – If you work with multiple clients over the course of the year, it’s a good idea to keep a list of each client and how much you made while working for them. There are a number of invoicing programs out there to assist with this such as Harvest, Freckle, and MarketCircle. NOTE: If you go over $600 for anyone client, they should send you 1099 in January. This list can help you follow up with any late documentation come February or March.

Know your deductions – Expenses can add up, especially if you drive client meetings, or deliver work to your clients, keep a record of trips back and forth. You can’t count commuting miles, but if you work offsite, mileage to and from clients can add up to a hefty sum. Client lunches, parking, healthcare, Internet, and entertaining all fall under the deductions category.

Create a dedicated office space – You can only take a home office deduction if your space is used exclusively for work. But it doesn’t take a lot of space to count as a home office. Dedicating a small area of your home to work can help with deductions for part of your rent and utility expenses.

Keep your receipts – Save your receipts and work with a tax professional to help you determine what can actually be written off as part of your business.

Save some money – Depending on your situation – you may end up owing some tax next spring. You don’t want it to be a surprise. Therefore, it’s always best to put a bit of each paycheck into a separate account – just for tax payments in the following year. If you have nothing to pay – you can always give yourself a refund.

Do you have any helpful advice you adhere to each tax season? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Job Interviews: Questions to Ask During an Interview

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015|

You’ve found the perfect job, sent your resume to the company and you’ve been invited for an interview. Now what?

We recommend that you prepare by reading our blog on the six things you should be doing during your interview and then start thinking about a few questions to ask the interviewer to help you learn more about the company and the role for which you are interviewing.
Sometimes the answers to these questions, and the way in which they are answered, can provide you with vital insight into whether an opportunity is really the right fit.
It’s perfectly acceptable to write down interview questions and refer to your notepad during an interview, in fact we encourage you to do so as it shows you’ve really prepared for your interview and given thought to your questions.

Questions about the Role / Position / Department
•   How would you describe the work environment?
•   Can you describe a typical day?
•   Can you share more about the department and the team I would be working with?
•   How do you envision this department in 6 months / 1 year / long-term?
•   How large is the department (how many designers, marketers, etc.)?
•   What is the hierarchy/org chart when it comes to decision-making in my dept?
•   What have been some of the most exciting projects we’ve worked on?
•   What was your personal favorite project here?
•   What are your expectations for this position?
•   What is the growth potential of this role?

Questions about the Company Culture / History
•   What is your history with this company?
•   Can you share more about the company culture?
•   Can you share more about the company history and/or clients?
•   What is the hierarchy/org chart when it comes to decision-making in the company?
•   How would you define the management philosophy of this company?
•   How do you envision the company in 6 months / 1 year / long-term?

Questions about your Skills / Qualification
•   What is most important for you in this position in terms of skills and personality?
•   What qualities do you feel someone needs to be successful in this role?
•   What metrics for success do you implement?
•   What makes someone a top producer in your eyes?
•   What in particular in my background made you feel I was a good fit for this position?
•   Do you have any concerns about my experience?
•   What do you foresee any challenges for me in this role?
•   Is there anything you feel is missing from my background/resume that I may be able to expand on?

• How can I grow my skills in this position?

At the end of your interview, don’t forget to ask our favorite question which is “Do you have any reservations about hiring me?” This is your final chance to sell yourself one last time and also iron out any concerns the interviewer may have about your experience.

Do you have any go-to interview questions you like to ask? How do you prepare for your interviews? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below or on Twitter @artisanupdates.

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Cover Letters: Do Hiring Managers Really Read Them?

Wednesday, April 1st, 2015|

Cover letters: Some job seekers swear by them, others don’t use them at all. Are cover letters really a necessity when applying for a job and are hiring managers even reading them? Opinions are divided. We recently read this article on The Guardian with these handy sample letters and thought we’d offer some handy advice when applying for jobs.

As recruiters, we’ve seen it all. We’ve received generic letters where only a company name is changed, or 2 pages of background info on an applicant, or sometimes quirky little notes with funny anecdotes. So what should you be doing when applying for a job?

Keep it short & sweet. This is the place to list a few highlights from your experience gained across several positions. Don’t rewrite your resume! Read through the key responsibilities of the job you’re applying for and highlight your experience as it relates to the key points. You don’t need to go into too much detail here, just think of it as a summary of your best bits.

Use formatting to emphasize key items. Bullet points, bold, underline, or italics can help readers very quickly see keywords or sentences that are crucial to the job you’re applying for. Go easy on the formatting, though.

Be specific about your experience. Avoid overused phrases like “team player” or “excellent communication skills”. For more information on words to avoid, read our recent blog on buzzwords. Instead, explain that you’ve “managed a team of X”, “collaborated with cross-functional departments” and “led client presentations”.

Go beyond the resume. Let’s face it – you can’t put everything on a resume. An introductory email provides a platform for mentioning relevant projects you might have worked on, hobbies or passions you may have and an opportunity to explain any issues with your resume such as a gap in experience, moving jobs frequently, etc. Make it easy for the hiring manager.

Keep it personal. Address your email to the actual hiring manager for the position. Avoid “To Whom it May Concern”. Even if you don’t know names of those hiring, ensure you customize the letter with the company name, locations and industry references to show you’ve done your homework.

Check your spelling and grammar. Nothing puts your resume in the “NO” pile faster than innocent spelling or grammar mistakes. Use your Spellcheck – but also have a set of human eyes review it for you.

Now put those skills to the test. See one of our jobs that might be right? Apply today!

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Personal Branding: How to Rebrand Yourself and Your Career

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015|

We often hear the phrase “personal brand” being used– but do each of us need one? And if we do, how do we go about getting one? We recently chatted with Nina who has rebranded herself in order to transition from the corporate world to the creative one and it got us thinking –what are the benefits and what should we be doing to foster our personal brand?

When thinking about your personal brand and how you want to present yourself, both online and offline you need to first think of a broad picture, and then narrow it down to the specifics. As Nina discussed with us, you need to think about your vision, where do you want to be in the future?

“I took the time to do some deep exploration and to inquire into some important questions. What made me happy? What was I passionate about? What was I good at? When I was I most inspired in my career? What was my purpose? What were the common themes, and patterns in the direction of my own career? What was I known for? How did I want to be known? Who was my audience and where did I provide them value?”

Before you embark on your journey of personal branding, here are a few tips to get you started.

Vision

What are your goals and passions in life? What can you do as a brand do to build a future for you and your prospective employers, jobs or clients? If your niche is working for startups and your passion is tech, and you also love vegan food, build your brand around that. Add value for others who share the same passions. You need a hook that will make you memorable, so you can become the tech guy who works for startups and the go-to guy to ask about vegan food.

Marketing

What do you need to market a brand? A website, social pages, advertising, perhaps some copy are usually commonplace. A personal website is a great way for people to get to know you, especially if you have a portfolio of work to show. How can your business cards stand out at a networking event? We work in the creative space, so it’s all in the details.

Consistency is needed across your social media profiles. We suggest using the same profile photo on each platform to be easily distinguished. Podcasts and blogs can be a fun and smart way to meet thought-leaders in your space as guests or interviewees. Your digital footprint is a hard one to erase so the content you are putting out into the world should be respectful, educational and entertaining. We love sites like Buffer and Feedly to assist with automating content.

Audience

Who are your audience and what can you do for them? Ask questions, get to know them and invite them to share their thoughts on your niche subjects. This is the fun part of personal branding as you get to know your followers and make friends. Think about how to add value. What do they want to know? What are their interests?

How did you build your own personal brand? Do you think they are a necessity when job searching?

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