How To Build Meaningful Relationships As A Creative
Genuine human connection and interaction can be achieved by being intentional as it requires directing efforts toward it... Building on relationships and connections is crucial
It's a common belief that ‘creative’ people tend to be more isolated than people in other fields/professions. This can be attributed to the fact that creative people being in their world helps them activate their creative side and bring forth ideas so they tend to favour and enjoy solitude. However, like every human being, creative people crave human connection and interaction.
Genuine human connection and interaction can be achieved by being intentional as it requires directing efforts toward it. With the invention of technology and social media, people often feel a sense of deep connection -which can be false- to their social media followers and mutual, most of whom they have not seen or met in real life and may possibly never see or meet.Â
Social media has given people the feeling that strangers somewhere care more about them than people surrounding them which is definitely not true in most cases. Although, when used correctly, you can amass genuine support and friendship from people on social media.
In life, every person falls into one or more categories of relationships such as friendship, romantic relationships, family, work colleagues, and many more. Building on these relationships and connections is crucial because they can help you achieve things you never thought possible and also make life much easier.Â
According to a study from The National Institute Of Health (NIH), "Quality relationships serve to shield you against mental illness and prevent stress. It also boosts your self-confidence and esteem, gives you a broader perspective, and strengthens your immune system."
Now that we have established how crucial building relationships are, let's get down to how you can build meaningful and deep relationships as a creative:
Be Intentional
Every change we make in life begins with a change in mindset. As creatives, we can achieve great things once we become intentional and conscious about it. To be intentional about building meaningful connections, we need to actively seek them out by directing our time and effort into nurturing these relationships. You can do this by making use of every interaction and platform to ensure that we optimise every conversation we have. Each new person is an introduction to another person, a unique skill, opportunity, and perspective waiting to be explored. We can make the best out of meeting people by supporting, understanding, and giving value to the other person.
Build A Personal Connection With Your Co-workers
As a creative person who is constantly engaged in collaborating with a team, the best way to start building meaningful relationships is at work. This is even more important if you do not have the luxury of having days to yourself (work takes up most of your time). Your co-workers are deep connections waiting to be explored.
To connect with them on a deeper level, you can:Â
Be genuinely interested in your co-workers.
Be friendly and helpful.
Ask questions without being too intrusive.Â
Practice active listening.Â
Share some personal things with them which could open lines of communication.Â
Set boundaries.
If they notice you are genuine, they will be willing to open up. Although not all co-workers would be open to having friends in their work colleagues. Don't feel burdened or discouraged by that.
Reconnect With People Outside Of Work
We lose touch with some of the most important people in our lives due to focusing on our careers and immediate family before we even realise it. These are people we have shared fond memories with and are irreplaceable. Why not give them a call? You can reconnect with people in your life outside of work by being honest with them about what you have been through. They might be open and willing to create more amazing memories with you. You can also create a means of hanging out and making it a routine to check in on them once in a while.Practice Active ListeningÂ
The world is noisy because everyone wants to be heard. Only a few people have the skills of a great listener. Being a great listener involves more than just thinking of a reply. It involves understanding and comprehending the speaker's words and taking in things from their perspective.Â
Actively listening shows you respect and value the other person's words, enables communication, sparks inspiration, and fosters collaboration. Bonus points to you if you remember what the other person says in any other situation, it proves to them you are listening and they are being heard. Next time you are thinking of a reply or even cutting off the speaker to speak your mind, take a step back and practice active listening.
Attend Creative Events, Workshops, And Conferences
One of the best ways to build meaningful relationships is by meeting up with people who share the same interest as you. Some of the best places to meet these people are at conferences, local events, or workshops. These gatherings provide creatives with the avenues to meet like-minded individuals, expand their network, nurture relationships, and share experiences. These events foster collaboration and help stimulate inspiration.
Share Your Work And Seek Feedback:Â
Sharing your work with people and expecting their feedback can help you connect with people who genuinely want to see you win. They would provide you with constructive criticism which can help you grow and improve your skills. You can also inspire other people who would be willing to connect with you by sharing your work.
As a creative, staring at that computer all day without being able to come up with anything is not as productive as you think. Why not take that walk you are dreading or have a meaningful conversation with that neighbour you only say 'good morning' to? You get to experience the world through different sets of eyes which might be the breakthrough you have been looking for. There are more ways to build meaningful connections as a creative and you must be willing to put yourself out there to make the best of it.
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