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#171| THREE REASONS WHY CREATIVES FAIL

  • Writer: Carter Ferguson
    Carter Ferguson
  • 14 minutes ago
  • 6 min read

This episode is sponsored by Jenni Adara - INSTAGRAM LINK

You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do. Henry Ford

In last week’s show I looked at taking action to get things done, a classic subject in productivity terms which included questions like “What’s the smallest step I can take right now?” to get stuff done, and something that also informs what I will be talking about today. Henry Ford’s statement at the top of the show there is a reminder that action, not intention, is what counts and that is followed on directly today by these Three Productivity-Based Reasons Why Creatives Fail.


1.     The first reason why creatives fail is that they overthink instead of taking action.

Creatives often spend too much time planning, researching, or perfecting an idea instead of actually starting.


A freelance illustrator might spend months researching the "right" platform on which to sell their art, debating between Etsy, Shopify, or eBay, and ultimately won’t list anything, whilst a less experienced artist uploads their work to a basic site and starts making sales right away.


Fear of failure, fear of judgment, or the belief that everything must be perfect before launching are all factors that lead to this sort of inaction. If you fear that you are kept back by overthinking, consider one of these three strategies, to beat the problem.


  • Focus on starting rather than perfecting. Done is better than perfect.

  • I said it last week, but it’s a good one - Use the "2-Minute Rule": If a task takes less than 2 minutes to start, do it right away.

  • Set a deadline for starting, not just finishing. For example, "By Friday, I will upload my first product, even if it’s not perfect."


2. The second reasons why creatives fail is that they don’t prioritize effectively


Creative people often get stuck doing "busy work" that doesn’t move their goals forward. For example, tweaking a website design for hours instead of sending out pitches or focusing on projects that don’t bring in revenue. They might clean the house or perhaps what I’m doing here, write a podcast episode, before sending off an invoice that really matters. They confuse being busy with being productive.


A writer might spend weeks perfecting their portfolio website but won’t actually send it to any potential clients. Or a photographer spends hours editing personal work instead of delivering client projects on time.


And this sort of thing happens all the time because it’s easier (and more comfortable) to focus on small, familiar tasks than to tackle high-impact actions that feel intimidating.


If you think this may be a problem for you then:


  • Use the 80/20 Rule: Identify the 20% of tasks that will deliver 80% of your results. Focus on those first. I’ve done a whole episode on this and I use it all the time, so if you want to find out more go check it out on the official website filmproproductivity.com

  • Make a "Top 3" list every day: Write down the three most important tasks that will bring you closer to your goals, and do those before anything else.

  • Ask yourself, "Does this task bring me closer to my primary goal?" If not, reconsider doing it and look for an action that does.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb

3. And the third reason why creatives fail is that they work alone and burn out


Many creatives try to do everything themselves, client work, marketing, admin, and creative projects, without asking for help or collaborating. They eventually hit a wall, lose motivation, or feel isolated.


I know from experience that working alone can sometimes feel like the safest option, especially if you’ve ever been let down by collaborators or had your ideas nicked. In creative industries, there’s always a risk of running into project hijackers: people who want the glory without doing the graft - I’ve done a show about it -. So it’s easy to end up thinking, “If I want something done right, I’ll just do it myself.” But the truth is, when you try to do everything on your own, it’s a fast track to burnout. You miss out on the energy, feedback, and shared problem-solving that come from real collaboration.


I think it’s really important to be intelligent about who you work with and how you protect your work. Over the years, I’ve learned to be careful about who I trust. I always recommend starting small with new collaborators, setting very clear boundaries and expectations, and, if possible, getting things in writing—whether that’s about credit, roles, or how decisions will be made – I know a creative that recently agreed a £1200 fee for a job, only for them to ask for £2100 when it completed. This fee should have been locked in and confirmed at least by email before starting – a lesson learned for them there. It’s not about being distrustful; it’s about looking after yourself and your project, so you don’t end up in a mess later.


But here’s the thing: when you do find the right people, collaboration is absolutely worth it. The best projects I’ve been part of have always been the ones where everyone is pulling in the same direction and bringing something new to the table. So, yes—guard your work, choose your team carefully, but don’t let bad experiences shut you off from the chance to work with others. Creativity is often a team sport, and with the right collaborators, you can achieve things you’d never manage on your own.


In terms of creative collaboration too, I’ve learned over time that one of the most important things is making sure your values line up with the people you’re working with. It’s not just about skills or experience—it’s about attitude, integrity, and the way they approach the work. If someone doesn’t share your work ethic or your vision for the project, it can lead to frustration and conflict down the line. Taking the time to have honest conversations at the start about what matters to you—and listening to what matters to them—can save a lot of heartache. When your values match up, everything else tends to run a lot more smoothly.


I find myself burning out sometimes just doing this podcast, because the researching and recording of it is not where it ends. I have to update the website and the socials and the create the images and worry about the promotion, and it really is all too much sometimes. This season I’m going to try even harder with google ads, but in the past, I have found myself burning out in that phase as it’s so out with my knowledge base.

In my case it happens because this show is done for free and there’s no budget for helpers, but creatives often resist collaboration or outsourcing because they feel they need to "do it all" to prove their worth. Others avoid joining communities because they fear rejection or judgment or fear the criticism of others or the loss of control.

Burnout is what happens when you try to avoid being human for too long. Michael Gungor

If you are failing because of burnout then perhaps one of these three strategies will help you along.


  • Delegate or Automate: Identify tasks you can outsource or automate, like using invoicing software or hiring a virtual assistant. Delegating and automating are both elements of the focus funnel, and if you can get to grips with them, things can get a lot easier.

  • Join Communities: Connect with other creatives for support, feedback, and accountability. This could mean joining a local meetup, online group, or co-working space. Facebook or Discord groups are often hit or miss, but the better communities do also offer real support.

  • Set Boundaries: Protect your energy by limiting how much work you take on and scheduling regular breaks. Productivity isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things sustainably.


So, creatives fail because they overthink and delay action, don’t prioritize effectively, and try to do everything alone. These habits create a cycle of inactivity, overwhelm, and burnout—but they’re all fixable.


Your call to action is to consider which of these three factors most contributes to your personal setbacks. This week, I challenge you to tackle the identified issue by taking a concrete step to address it. This could involve setting a deadline, prioritising your tasks, or seeking support from a fellow creative. By overcoming these known obstacles, you'll be better equipped to transform failures into productive stepping stones for success in your creative pursuits.


Thanks for checking in once again on todays show, and please feel free to subscribe to ensure you don’t miss any of the future episodes. All past shows are available to listen to now on all podcast apps so I’d be very grateful if you’d take a moment to subscribe if you haven’t already, or to talk about this on social media or to share this episode with someone who might benefit from it.


Let me end today with some words from Nelson Mandela who said, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”


Now take control of your own destiny, keep on shooting and join me next time on Film Pro Productivity and Success

three reasons why creatives fail

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© 2018 Carter Ferguson - Film Pro Productivity

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