This just in! You are a lovely human that can escape the horrors of the world anytime you want within the vastness of your creative mind (at least for a time). Let me do my best to help with another dose of The Inspo Report.
When Procrastination's Lost its Fun
Procrastination: best ways to tackle, and pros and cons from its outcome (do you thrive on it?)
This thoughtful question comes from friend of the report @_cleocatra. The “P-word” is something we all have dealt with in one way or another, and yes there are definitely pros and cons! I love working on new creative projects but that doesn’t mean each part of the process is fun. Often, I’ll approach the beginning of something with a manic energy. Going at it head on, giving it everything I have and having a blast while doing it. Then I’ll deliver the piece I created to the client. In my head there is no way they’ll have any edits…How could they? It’s perfect! Low and behold they will have minor tweaks and I mean minor...“Hey can we just shift this over? Use a different phrase here? Change the color maybe?” Each time I’m shocked, each time I groan and then I put off making those tweaks until the last possible moment. It could be ego, it could be my Taurean stubbornness but inevitably I will be overcome with self imposed anxiety. My chest sinks and I feel like I’m not working as hard as I should. BUT there are a lot of different types of people out there and lots of different working styles. Some people thrive on that pressure and it often produces their best work.
I think of tennis bad boy Johnny McEnroe. He believed that he played better angry. He would behave poorly on the court and yell at the line judge over almost any call made. The crowd would then boo him…and he fucking loved it. He would soak up that negativity and the “fuck you” energy would charge his racquet - causing him to go full super saiyan. What I mean is, you have to know what works for you and then not judge yourself for doing so. If you thrive under that pressure - save it for the last possible moment and finish your work in the war room. If you are riddled with anxiety during it, maybe you need to rethink your approach. Now if we want to destroy our procrastination behaviors that’s a different story. Forming new habits is extremely difficult (at least for me). It takes doing a little bit of something everyday knowing you are that much closer to finishing the big picture. Assembling the house, brick by brick. Write down what you want to accomplish. Not in your iPhone notes, real genuine paper. For me it’s post-its. Writing something down, makes it real. Place the post-it where you will see it everyday. Let it guide you, shame you, pressure you. Whatever it takes to get started and keep up with your new habit. Set alarm reminders in your phone. If you need multiple, make multiple! Whatever it takes. Lastly, tell your friends what your goals are. Good friends want you to succeed. They won’t tempt you with a party, an orgy or a tiktok danceathon (Is it obvious I don’t have friends?). They will push you to finish your work, then you can celebrate! One thing to keep in mind is that this is an infinity war. You don’t win one battle and declare yourself the champion of procrastination. You have to stay vigilant because you never know when the P word wants to tango.
The Price is Right… I Think!?
Naming your price, understanding your worth
This question comes from long-time friend, artist and tattooist - the polka dot prince himself @juicetattuice. Let me put on my supportive father hat for a minute and just say, whatever you think you are worth I promise it’s a lot more. That being said the only way to truly learn is to fail. You’ll undervalue yourself until you have the confidence to ask for more. You will feel like a thief and a charlatan when you do, and that’s ok. That is the imposter syndrome talking. The first “big check” I received for a freelance gig I didn’t even remotely negotiate. “YES! YES PLEASE!” I remember almost screaming into the phone before the client could even finish saying the number. Slow your roll and play it cool brother bear. Confidence is a lie we tell ourselves until it becomes real. I always go back to “What’s the worst that could happen?” The client says no? The client says “Fuck you! You’ll never work in this town again!” That would be cool as hell but no I think that’s a slim possibility unless you live in 1940s Hollywood. If they want you and your work they have to pay. If they truly value you, they’ll pay whatever you ask. If not? Keep it moving!
NEVER try and justify why you are worth a certain amount. Just give your price - if hourly, give your rate. No ifs ands or bubble butts. That’s your price and that’s what hundreds of your clients have already paid (what they don’t know won’t hurt em). Lost money can be found. Lost time cannot. Your time is worth gold, treat it as such. You could be doing anything on this green earth - Instead you are cracking open your beautiful mind (No Russell Crowe) for the client. One very important thing to keep in mind is - How bad do you want that particular gig? Working for free is ok if you think its ok. Taking a pay cut is acceptable if you think its acceptable. There are no rules BUT what I recommend is shooting your shot with an inflated price and pretending not to be shocked when they say yes. May your bag always be secured!
Getting Gify with It (Sorry for that)
Brand new gif stickers are officially on Instagram
After waiting for what felt like an eternity, the good people at giphy have approved my artwork for Instagram stickers. You can now search “Rydeas” on the gram and add some of my favorite pieces to your thirst traps and cat pics. Be sure to tag me in all your new stories! If you are looking to make your own gif stickers head over to the Giphy support page, make an account and submit some of your work. Fair warning, it takes awhile for the approval process (I think I waited about four months) but totally worth it to see your art in action. Whatever you make send my way. Until next time I’m Ryan Evans and this has been The Inspo Report.