Reigniting Creative Passions: From Burnout to Breakthrough with Mike Brennan {Ep. 74}
Release Date: 10/17/2024
Your Client Wants Unlimited Revisions—Now What? {Ep. 85}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
Tired of endless revisions and unclear expectations with your clients? If so, then today’s episode is for you! In this episode, I dive into how you can limit the number of revisions and feedback opportunities for clients by including three key sentences in your contract. Learn why it’s wrong to believe 'the client is always right' and get actionable steps to ensure both you and your clients have aligned expectations, ultimately fostering more respectful and productive professional relationships. 02:24 The Myth of 'The Client is Always Right' 03:56 Key Contract Clauses to Limit Revisions...
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Reinvent the Rules: Empowerment and Experimentation for Creatives {Ep. 84}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
Do you have a framework for your client work? One that works time and time again? If not, then today’s episode is for you! Today, we tackle an issue that's more prevalent than ever – the misguided belief in cookie-cutter solutions offered by so-called 'gurus'. Their frameworks may have worked for them, but that doesn't mean they'll work for you. This episode delves deep into rejecting societal pressures of perfectionism, the importance of viewing life and work as experiments, and setting clear boundaries with clients. Learn how to attract the right clients, the right projects,...
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Overcoming the Fear of Losing a Client: Defining Your Ideal Client {Ep. 83}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
In this episode, I delve into the emotional aspects of the fear of losing clients. We’ll discuss recognizing red flags, prioritizing yourself and your needs, and clearly defining the type of clients you want to work with. I’m also sharing personal experiences and at the end, I'll provide you with a handful of actionable steps to help you identify your ideal clients. By doing so, you can be sure your work aligns with your values, ultimately leading to more satisfaction and success in your professional life. 00:32 The Emotional Side of Losing Clients 01:46 Personal Experiences and...
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Plug Your Contract Gaps… Before They Bite! {Ep. 82}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
If you’re afraid that your client contract has some hidden pitfalls and maybe one day, it’s all going to blow up in your face, then today’s episode is for YOU! Today, we’re talking about when you don't know, what you don't know. It’s not about the right legal wording. And it's even less about what you actually SAY in your contract. What matters more is what’s MISSING from your contract. Today, I dive deep into how to spot what's missing and provide you with a free tool to help plug those holes and fill those gaps. Hear my story of a client who led me on a literal...
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Unmasking Your True Self: A Guide for Creatives {Ep. 81}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
If you’re a self-defined people-pleaser, struggling with your identity as a Creative, then this episode is for you. I’m diving deep into what it means to be YOU. We'll explore how creatives like you are often taught to think and feel a certain way, which leads to a disconnect between their intellectual and emotional selves. I'll share three startling statistics about the struggles many face with identity, self-worth, and confrontation, and how these affect creatives specifically. Through a bit about my own personal journey and incorporating professional insights, we'll uncover...
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The Art of Saying No: Mastering Client Boundaries as a Creative {Ep. 80}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
If you’re a self-proclaimed people-pleaser and having a hard time sticking to boundaries with your clients, then this episode is for you! In this episode, I’m diving deep into the crucial topic of boundaries and am sharing a very personal, life-changing experience that very few people in the world know - it became the impetus for starting my own personal journey of overcoming trauma and learning to set boundaries. I’ll also discuss the importance of respecting and enforcing boundaries, providing practical advice on how to set and maintain them, particularly through contracts and daily...
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Price Yourself with Purpose: Achieving Fair Value as a Creative {Ep. 79}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
When it comes to pricing, there's so much out there in the world telling and showing us we are not valued, when actually, all we're hearing are the loudest talkers, right? The real problem is believing in your value and not allowing society and people outside of you to change your belief in yourself. In this episode, I discuss the importance of valuing your work appropriately and not undercharging for your services. I’m sharing my own journey helping clients navigate difficult conversations and set proper fees. We’ll dive into the pitfalls of charging lower than deserved fees,...
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Say hi to the “Managing Client Disputes” Podcast - We renamed the Podcast! {Ep. 78}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
Thanks for listening to this updated introduction of the “Managing Client Disputes” Podcast (An Original What Would Sheila Say?® ️and CreativesEd® ️Podcast) and welcome to the (r)evolution! for a chance to get on the Podcast on IG with Sheila If you’ve ever been told that being a service-based professional means you have to suck it up, accept whatever client walks in the door no matter how little they want to pay you, and that you're never going to make any money unless you scale and grow a huge team, then you’re in for a spin, because none of that is true!...
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The Science and Strategies of Rest (ft Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith) {Ep. 77}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
If you’ve always struggled to feel fully rested, then this episode is for you! We’re unveiling the power of rest with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, an internal medicine physician and award-winning author, to explore the concept of rest. In this episode, we discuss the importance of recognizing and addressing different types of rest and how they impact our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Dr. Dalton-Smith shares insights from her book 'Sacred Rest' and introduces her seven types of rest framework. It’s all about the significance of listening to one's body, setting...
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Building Relationships and Trust through Podcasting (ft Danny Ozment) {Ep. 76}
Managing Client Disputes | Client Management Strategies for Freelance Creatives, Designers & Artists (An Original CreativesEd® + What Would Sheila Say?® Podcast)
Are you considering starting a podcast, or wondering how to find your podcast voice? You’re in the right place! Full of personal anecdotes, professional wisdom, and actionable advice, this episode is a deep dive into the world of podcasting and its many applications. My guest today is Danny Ozment, a podcast consultant known for his work with busy professionals and solopreneurs. In fact, Danny helped me find my voice and launch this very podcast you’re listening to! We discuss the benefits of podcasting, particularly for regulated professionals, and how it can serve as a powerful tool even...
info_outlineIn this insightful episode, you’ll engage with Creative Consultant Mike Brennan to discuss the journey of rediscovering and sustaining creativity in everyday life and business. Together, we explore the vulnerability of creativity, establishing a daily creative habit, overcoming societal pressures, and the therapeutic power of creative expression.
Mike shares his personal transformation from ministry burnout to becoming a creative professional through a 365-day art challenge, highlighting the importance of reflection, small consistent actions, and systematic approaches to maintain creative momentum.
Listen in to gain practical advice on integrating creativity into your life, reconnecting with personal passions, and leveraging tools like the Daily Creative Habit journal to foster continuous growth and innovation.
05:32 Mike's Journey and Creative Philosophy
13:17 The Daily Creative Habit
21:32 Rediscovering Art and Creativity
38:47 Integrating Life and Creativity
40:31 Overcoming Creative Blocks
47:13 Consistency and Prioritization
59:40 Resources for Creativity
👉🏽 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Daily Creative Habit as a Solution: Mike emphasizes the importance of establishing a "daily creative habit" to foster consistency in creative work, especially for those feeling stuck or overwhelmed by other priorities.
Everyone is Creative: The episode expands the definition of creativity beyond traditional arts, explaining that creativity manifests in various forms like organizing, cooking, writing, or even building systems.
Overcoming Creative Repression: The podcast discusses how many individuals, especially lawyers and other professionals, suppress their creativity because of societal or familial expectations. The message is clear: it's never too late to reignite creative passions.
Intentional Creative Time: Creativity doesn’t just happen on its own; you must intentionally carve out time and space for creative exploration, even if you’re living a busy or demanding life.
Transformative Power of Creativity: The episode shares personal stories about how reconnecting with creative practices helped the speaker and others rediscover joy, passion, and a sense of purpose, highlighting how creativity can bring healing and fulfillment.
👉🏽 COMPELLING EPISODE QUOTES
"I help people establish what I call a daily creative habit. It’s for those who want to engage with their creativity but have lost touch, or who have a creative goal yet struggle with consistency." - Mike Brennan
"We need to expand our definition of what creativity is so that it’s more inclusive, not just confined to painting or performing arts. You can be creative in how you organize, cook, or even build systems." - Mike Brennan
"So many lawyers are repressed creatives. They’re told, ‘You can’t make money with that. It’s a nice hobby but not a career.’ And then they choose a path like law, never realizing how creative they actually are." - Sheila M. Wilkinson
"There was a time when you created something just because it brought you joy. What if you returned to that place, where your work wasn’t tied to clients or expectations, but simply to you?" - Mike Brennan
"Creativity is about showing up, doing a lot of bad work before you get to the good, and going on a journey of self-discovery and curiosity." - Mike Brennan
📧 RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW
Connect with Mike and Sign up for Mike’s free newsletter
Grab your copy of the 90–Day Creative Habit Tracker!
Tag us on Instagram and LinkedIn
✍🏽 LET’S CONNECT!
Want feedback or coaching about something going on in your life or career? I want to answer it in a future episode! Leave me a voice note!
FREE Resources: https://sheilawilkinson.com/links
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