20 Things Every Creative Needs to Do!

Introduction

We have 2 new interns this fall at Reactor Media. One of the interns is a recent high school grad who just loves the graphic arts, the other individual is a 20-year Air Force veteran, who is an accomplished writer and photographer and wants to learn more about how to run a photo business. These two individuals have a very different learning curve. To assist in the onboarding, I put together a guide of 20 essential keys that every creative professional should be doing.

Part 1: Mindset and Approach

Curiosity is crucial.

Creativity thrives on curiosity. A good friend told me “stay curious, it’ll literally save your life.” Enthusiasm along with an insatiable hunger for knowledge and new experiences fuels creativity. That creative curiosity will be visible in everyone’s work. Curious approaches expand creative possibilities whether exploring new cultures, technology, or artistic techniques.

Creativity is a habit, not just inspiration.

Let’s face it, waiting for inspiration can lead to… inconsistency. We go through cycles, sometimes we’re highly inspired, and sometimes nothing resonates. Creativity is a muscle—it needs regular exercise. Just like other parts of your body, you have to develop a routine that prioritizes creativity daily. Daily. Even when you aren’t feeling it, still go create. Look for inspiration around you.

Stay humble and curious, even as you become more successful.

With success, it’s easy to become complacent, but the most successful creatives continue learning and remain open to feedback. We all know that person who can’t take any criticism - don’t be that human. Humility and a willingness to explore new ideas keep your work fresh and relevant.

Embrace adaptability.

One thing we preach is adaptability, the creative industry is ever-changing. From new design trends to advancements in technology (looking at you AI), staying adaptable allows you to keep pace with the industry and maintain relevance. An easy way to do this is to sign up for medium and set up a notification for two or three topics you’re curious about to stay on top of those trends.

Part 2: The Creative Process

Focus on mastery rather than metrics.

Sometimes chasing engagement, opens, likes and shares can feel like validation. Really want to level up? Focus on mastering your craft. Mastery doesn’t just bring better results, it brings a deeper sense of creative fulfillment. The numbers? They’ll follow.

Create more than you consume.

Consuming creative content — photography, film, art, design—is important. However, prioritize time spent creating over time spent consuming. Your best work will emerge from practice, experimentation, and staying curious – you see an emerging theme here?

Build a habit of creation.

Work on building a habit of consistent creation, find the part of the process you love and double down. You’ll see a steady improvement in time!

Listen to your work.

In college, I learned the best gauge of creative work is to step back and review the work. Learn to allow your work to speak. This allows the works to help us identify patterns, both positive and negative. For example, I tend to have a very specific composition style, especially when doing aerial work. So, if I’m looking at a shot and not loving it, that’s my work telling me to try a new angle or perspective

Part 3: Productivity and Work Habits

Manage your attention.

Some say time is the most important currency, after all no one is making more of it. However, I think it’s attention. You only have so much attention to spread out over that time. Creative work demands deep focus. Managing distractions and carving out blocks of time for uninterrupted work is essential for high-quality content. Find what this pattern is for you and lock i

Create on a consistent schedule.

One author years ago talked about the process of a consistent schedule. Wake up, head to the typewriter with two cups of tea and a sleeve of cookies and “waste the day, writing”. This is repeated day in and day out. After 6 months or a year a book has magically happened. 

Having a regular schedule for creative work is challenging but this does help ensure consistency in producing a final product. I am also challenged by procrastination, when I find a rhythm in my work, it reduces procrastination and makes creativity a habitual part of the day. Something for all of us to work towards.

Limit your inputs.

We live in an information-heavy world, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the constant stimuli. To maintain clarity and focus, limit inputs. When in the middle of a project, pick two sources to feed the project only using information necessary to inspire and fuel that project.

Take breaks.

Creativity benefits from rest. Stepping away from a project can provide a fresh perspective and help prevent burnout. Short breaks, long walks, or even vacations can rejuvenate creative energy. 

Balance is critical.

Creative individuals often juggle a million things at once. Whether it’s the project, selling, marketing, managing clients, handling finances, or the other 35 hats you wear on the daily. Finding a balance between all those moving parts is crucial if you want to keep the creative energy flowing without burning out. Build a system for everything—keeping some semblance of normal work hours and documenting it all. That way, at the end of the day or week, you can step back and say, ‘Wow, we got a lot done today/this week/on this project so far.’ That kind of reflection gives you the space to breathe. You can finally take a break, grab a beer, or hit the movies and not feel the nagging guilt you should still be working.

Part 4: Professional Development

Develop analytical thinking skills.

Creativity is at the heart of everything we do, right? It is critical to balance creativity with problem-solving and critical thinking. Innovative ideas involve breaking down the complex aspects, figuring out the best approach, and making smart, informed decisions along the way. Strong analytical skills help navigate challenges, streamline processes, and ultimately enhance creative output. When both sides are mastered —the imaginative and the strategic—you’re unstoppable.

Be tech-savvy and collaborative.

Since we now know remote work is here to stay and everyday we get 4 more digital collaboration tools, being proficient with the latest technology is crucial. So do your best to embrace the new tools, we’re no longer just talking about Adobe Creative Cloud, Slack, or Zoom. Learn some of the new tools like Fram.io and Perplexity and make use of the cloud storage platforms to enhance efficiency. 

Cultivate a broad worldview.

The more diverse individual experiences, the more innovative thinking becomes. Work is a reflection of routines, ideas, and relationships. I love the sights and sounds of travel, believe it or not, I don’t mind the jet lag or the long flights. Every trip changes me. Life experiences broaden worldviews, and fuel creativity in ways that help produce more original and inspiring work. Build your own unique experiences such as going to a restaurant or diner in a part of your town where you’ve never been. Try new experiences, like ax throwing or pickle ball - they all have a new culture that will change your perspective. Variety isn’t just the spice of life, it’s the secret ingredient for standout creativity.

Prioritize organization.

I’ve learned the hard way, that when I let things get disorganized—files misplaced, notes lost—it doesn’t just slow me down, it impacts my entire team. Disorganization is the enemy of creativity. Keeping your workspace and projects in order saves time, cuts down on stress, and frees up mental energy for what really matters: the creative process. When everything is in its place, you’re not wasting time searching for that one file or scrambling to remember details. Instead, you can dive deep into your work and focus on producing your best creative output.

Part 5: Career Management

Maintain integrity.

Trust is everything in this industry. You probably know this, but if you’re not honest, transparent, and reliable, it’s going to be hard to build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues. Not following through on project details, being underhanded, or making some other “move” will alienate clients. It is critical to be upfront and transparent, even when it’s tough. Integrity is the foundation your reputation stands on, and that reputation opens doors. It just feels better to show up authentically.

Make your own rules and best practices.

I grow weary of hearing about best practices; however, there are tons of industry standards we need to follow. The most successful creatives make their own rules. Everyone’s creative process doesn’t look like everyone else’s, and that’s beautiful. It’s better than that– it’s necessary. You must tailor your workflow to what actually works for you. You know your strengths, your quirks, your creative rhythm—so build your own best practices around that.

And hey, be willing to change it up every now and then, because as you evolve, your process should evolve too.

Take risks and learn new things.

I love a good challenge. Growth happens for me when I step out and take risks. The best work has come from projects that scared the hell out of me. Taking creative risks opens doors to new opportunities and pushes you to think in ways you never have before. It’s uncomfortable, sure, but that’s how you learn and grow. And let’s not forget, trying new things—whether it’s learning a new skill or experimenting with a different style—can lead to breakthroughs in your work that you never saw coming.

Be Kind.

Life is hard, and it costs us nothing to share a kind word or assume the best. We all seen so many relationships go off track because someone was frustrated and tired and said something out of character. No one’s perfect, but a little kindness will keep those doors open that you’ve work so hard to walk through.

In today’s creative industry, thriving isn’t just about talent—it’s about staying curious, building consistent habits, and being adaptable to change. From managing your time and inputs to creating a unique workflow and taking creative risks, even picking up one or two insights will keep you ahead of the curve. By balancing creativity with organization, integrity, and a willingness to learn, you’ll be well-equipped to grow personally and professionally in any creative field. It’s not always easy, but embracing these practices will ensure you keep evolving and delivering your best work. Hope this helps and I can’t wait to see what you create.

Cheers, Kris.