Sometimes when you’ve spend months and years perfecting your craft as an artist, it can be easy to put yourself in a box with only those skills. You may not realize that some of the artistic skills you’ve been working so hard to hone can actually help you in business! Whether it’s your own business or working with a company, you have a lot of value to offer!
There is a lot to be said for being an artist, but not enough in my opinion! Not only are artists extremely hard working, they have an abundance of skills that are simply not being utilized to their full potential. So here are some artistic skills you have that will for sure help you in business!
You Think Outside The Box
Nothing can match a creative brain when it comes to thinking outside the box! It’s what we’ve been doing all our lives. What many people don’t realize is that this ability to think outside the box is a muscle that needs strengthening. You, as an artist, have been working on this your whole life. You’re ahead of the game for sure.
When you’re creating or building a business, you have to be able to think outside the box. You have to be able to see when there is a need that you could be meeting with your business. This muscle for thinking outside the box is one that comes naturally to artists.
Your Sheer Determination
If you’ve ever tried to work as some kind of artist, you know how hard it can be. Emotionally above all, but even logistically. You have to essentially do all the work of a freelancer, but your work hits much closer to home than a traditional job. Your work is personal, and that’s what makes it good.
The determination it takes to work as an artist is insurmountable! You’ve learned how to forge your own path, because there is simply no other option! You know how to get back up on your feet after being knocked down. You’ve mastered how to power through even when everything seems to be working against you.
You Have The Ability To Improvise
Of course, I’m coming from a performance artist’s perspective, but I believe this is true for any artist: you have to learn to improvise. Sometimes things go wrong; the set breaks, someone misses a cue, your costume change fails. In other types of art your deadline may be cut in half, you may run out of supplies, your objective is changed at the last minute. Artists have to learn how to improvise with grace and finesse.
Improvisation skills are not easy to develop. They’re pretty much only found outside your comfort zone. But you, as an artist, are ahead of the game on your improvisational skills. If your company has to suddenly reach a new revenue goal, a scheduling conflict gets overlooked, or presenter has dropped out of a meeting; you are more than ready to step up to the plate.
You See The Perspective Of Others
The ability to understand the point of view of others is an essential skill in business. If a client is upset with your company, you have to be able to understand why. If you and your coworker disagree on a solution, you have to understand why they think the way they do. It’s your job, no matter what position you’re in, to understand the perspective of others.
Artists are able to do this because they create art with the hope that other people will consume what they’ve created. If you’re a theatre artist like I am, the perspective of the audience is priority #1! You have to consider what their perspective is, not only visually, but emotionally too. As an artist, you are capable of understanding and empathizing with the way other people see the world.
You Have Creative Problem Solving Skills
Similar to your superior improvisation skills, your problem solving skills in business are next level. This is something highly sought after by employers, and absolutely essential in entrepreneurship. Things are guaranteed to go wrong sometimes, and someone needs to take responsibility to fix them.
Employers need good problems solving skills in their employees because often times they can’t take the time address those problems themselves. Creative brains are just simply better at solving problems effectively! Unlike a classroom setting, sometimes solving problems in business aren’t multiple choice. You have to create a solution from nothing; which is what artists are born to do.
You Understand Branding
Guess what? Human brains love stories. They are constantly looking for patterns and through lines in the most mundane things, even when there’s nothing there! As an artists, you not only have the ability to connect those dots, but to create them. Why is this important? It peaks the interest of the public and shows that you can get inside their head.
Hiring an artist for your team means you will have an extra set of eyes on your brand. They will understand the story a business is trying to tell and work off of that. This is doubly effective when artists become entrepreneurs! You know how to create a consistent story and build something from it.
You Love Creating Something!
This should be obvious, but artists love to create! They love holding something in their hand that was once only in their brain. Businesses create many things: jobs, revenue, products, services, etc. Artists know the significance of creation and are in their element when involved in that process. They aren’t just busy for the sake of it, they love to deliver a true creation.
If you’re an artist feeling insecure about your professional skills, just remember: you love to create! You can learn to create something in whatever position you’re in. You’re learning to create good results, revenue, schedules, lattes, articles, etc. You’ve got this. You’ve got the artistic skills in business to help you excel in whatever you want to excel in!
You should also check out:
- Why Creative People Are Best Suited For Business
- How To Stay Creative When You Don’t Know What To Do
- How To Brainstorm Your Own Side Hustle- Free Workbook!
