Mind Sprocket: The Back Page : How to Put Your Creativity to Work

My husband and I are creative, right-brain people. We are educated and capable. We know we have good ideas, we know we have connections and resources to help us. We discuss all kinds of creative things we could do: create websites, make videos, write stories, write music, just to name a few. We both have careers that are pretty awesome and allow us to use some of our creativity and talent. But what will it take for us to take it a step further? What will it take for us to cash in on all of those ideas and turn them into realities?

My guess is that like many others, we feel overwhelmed by the competition. Just jump online and you become one of millions trying to do the same thing: stand out and be noticed. While wading through all of the ad-laden garbage as well as all of the well-designed, spectacular sites, one might almost feel the same sense of dread as they might when looking for a job online. Not only are there so many jobs to pick through, but there is also contacting each one, getting up the confidence to even do that, and then trying to present yourself in the best possible light through your resume — your life and achievements, crunched onto one page that hopefully someone will read.

Taking a leap into launching something online can feel the same way. The solution? Pull yourself together and do it. It’s the same as if you desperately needed a career change. You can only sit by the sidelines so long before finally jumping in and doing it.

So what are you passionate about? Do you enjoy painting, writing, singing? Is sketching elephants your only talent? So what? Capitalize on it. Even if you’re only considering yourself an amateur, consider the fact that you have nothing to lose by putting yourself out there. Not only that, but no one can sketch an elephant exactly like you. No one has your distinct flair, your subtle humor, your same capabilities.

A site that really got me thinking about this was Etsy, an online store of handmade items. From hand drawn greeting cards to beautiful handmade clothing and unique sculptures, there is an array of talent to be found.

Consider Etsy, YouTube, or even Ebay to put yourself out there. Start a blog, find a community. But above all, get started!