Part 3: Knowing Your Creative Resources

Finding Help & Support

Welcome to the third and final part of the Knowing Your Creative Resources series! This month, I'm going to cover how to create a proper support system for yourself so that you're never truly alone in what you're trying to accomplish creatively.

Where To Go For Support and Motivation

We all experience periods of doubt and uncertainty or creative lulls, having people in our corner to cheer us on and keep us moving forward is a resource no one should underestimate. I myself only really started moving forward in my writing when I discovered two like-minded individuals who believed in and supported my writing endeavors. Particularly when one of them steered me towards a whole online community of our peers (which I of course then steered the other friend to). Whether it's family, friends, in-person or online communities, it's always good to be aware of those kindred spirits who understand and encourage what you're trying to accomplish. If you're not sure what's available for you, check Facebook community pages, MeetUp groups in your area, and community programming at your local libraries and art centres.

Who To Turn To For Help When You Don't Know The Answers

Sometimes, things that may seem clear to others are not necessarily clear to us. It can help to speak to someone who is removed from the situation or project for some outside perspective, or someone who has experience with what we're having difficulty with. If you're finding it difficult to locate information or resources, I highly recommend you turn to your local library. They're not just a resource for books, but also for online information, databases, community groups, organizations, and programs. If you're looking for help accomplishing a specific goal, a coach can be equally beneficial by giving you the tools and insights to get from Point A to Point B. (Here's where I take a short moment to shamelessly point out that I am both a librarian and a certified coach available for hire.) Remember, you're not alone in needing help with these things, or these jobs wouldn't exist in the first place. We've all been there, and there's no shame in asking for help. Community libraries are free resources at your disposal, and most coaches offer free discovery calls so you can chat with them to find out if they're the right fit for you before committing to anything. If the coach you reach out to isn't a match for your particular goal, they might even be willing to redirect you to someone who is.

Hopefully this series was helpful in shedding a little light on locating and utilizing resources within your creative endeavours. Remember, keep your eyes and ears open, document your sources, and reach out to your community and coaches whenever you need them.

You've got everything you need, you just need to know where to look!

Cheers!