As creatives looking to build a freelance career, we often hear the advice to "trust the process." But what does that really mean? And more importantly—whose process are we supposed to trust?
After spending over a decade as a professional dancer and choreographer before transitioning into corporate leadership and eventually launching my own creative freelance business, I've learned that trusting the process isn't about blindly following someone else's freelancing formula. It's about learning to trust yourself and your unique journey to build a sustainable creative career.
The Rush to "Arrive"
In my early career as a dancer, I experienced firsthand the burnout that comes from constantly rushing toward an undefined destination. "I was just so in a rush to get somewhere, but I don't know where," I recently shared on the Profits in Pajamas podcast. "My friends were booking jobs with major artists, and I'm like, okay, let me double down and go harder."
That mindset led to exhaustion—working overnight shifts at a hotel, rushing to auditions with no rest, and pushing myself beyond my limits. The result? Complete burnout that required a month of recovery just to feel like myself again. Here are a few tips to help you avoid a similar fate.
1. Learn to Slow Down.
The lesson I learned then, which I carry into my business today, is profound: Where are you rushing to? As I told podcast host Coach Danni D, "If I don't want to end up in that place again… yes, I need to work hard. Yes, I need to be disciplined and dedicated, and I also need to factor in that my body, my mind, my spirit, all of that needs to rest and recover as well."
2. Trust Your Inner Voice
One of the most powerful realizations in my journey has been understanding that trusting the process starts with trusting yourself. But here's the challenge: that inner voice, that gut feeling, often comes as just a whisper. "It is legitimately just like a whisper.”
The key isn't just hearing that voice—it's acting on it. Too often, we second-guess ourselves and seek validation from others when we already know deep down what we need to do.
3. Build With Intention
As you build your independent creative career, remember that there isn't one prescribed path to success. Whether you're:
- Transitioning from a traditional career to creative entrepreneurship
- Building a sustainable freelance or consulting practice
- Looking to make your side hustle your main gig
The key is to build intentionally, at a pace that allows you to:
1. Honor your unique strengths and experiences
2. Maintain your physical and mental well-being
3. Create work that genuinely fulfills you
4. Generate sustainable income
Your Process, Your Path
The journey to building a sustainable creative career isn't one-size-fits-all. "I've spent thousands and thousands (like lots of zeros behind the number) looking for somebody to show me THE way." But what I've discovered is that there is no one way—you have to find your own way. While there's immense value in learning from others' experiences and best practices, the key is to take that wisdom and adapt it to fit who you are. Think of it as remixing the best advice into a version that resonates with your unique style, values, and goals.
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