Lessons from Makers of Sport: 2014–17 and beyond

M y podcast, Makers of Sport, will be 3 years old in March 2017. It’s the longest I’ve ever let a side project live and truthfully that feels a bit weird. I’ve battled a small bout with burnout recently but ultimately—even though it’s been a rough year for celebrities and the political climate—I consider 2016 a win for me.

This year, I launched the Makers of Sport Community which sits currently with 60 members of the sports design community from organizations within the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Southeastern Conference, Pac-12, Big Ten and more. Not to mention media companies like ESPN & Sports Illustrated and brands like adidas & New Balance and numerous agency/freelance folks. We even have a few European members (maybe they’ll help me find a Premier League club to support) that I am very grateful for.

The community has been very uplifting. The value it’s providing to myself and the folks in it was totally unexpected. And thankfully, it’s beginning to lend a hand to the fiscal side of the podcast so I’m not funding it soley from Mtn. & Co. consulting fees (which of course are needed to pay for food, youth sports, school, clothes, etc. for my two sons).

Any amount of money earned from a side project is an incredible experience—it’s something that started from nothing and turned into something through hard work, sleepless nights and the occasional push-through of burnout (hiatuses encouraged). If you haven’t started a side project, I highly recommend it and also advise being patient with it. Building brands, audiences and/or products take time.

In addition to the podcast, I’ve been able to work with some great brands this year like my beloved SLAM Magazine (a magazine I’ve read passionately since 6th grade), the Boston Red Sox, Matt Carpenter (St. Louis Cardinals, MLB All-Star), Minor League Baseball and numerous collegiate athletic programs.

As I reflect on 2016, I’d like to leave some words of wisdom I’ve gleaned from my reading, research, interviews and own experiences that hopefully help you in 2017.

Ten Tips for 2017

• Pats on the back are awesome. They makes us all feel good; however don’t fish for compliments or be in despair when you don’t receive them. Don’t create to impress others. Create because it makes you happy.
• You’re only as good as your latest work, so treat every project like it is your last. Life is short and the creative industry is fickle. You never know, it might be.
• Debate, disagree & defend your stance on matters of importance to you. Too many people are afraid to disagree and debate for fear of being labeled as a jerk. You stand for nothing if you agree with everyone. One can disagree without being a jerk.
• Do your part to be kind, but realize that business markets, money and creativity do not care about your feelings.
• Learn to accept criticism of your work. Realize it only makes you better and you don’t know it all. Be open. Design criticism is about the work, not you. And if you are providing design criticism, make it about the work, not them.
• You aren’t the best. There are people more talented than you now and there will be new folks that come about later. Sometimes it’s natural talent and sometimes they just work harder than you. Work hard and be confident, but be humble.
• Creativity is subjective. I never understood the love of Star Wars or even Star Trek. Obviously those entertainment franchises are not for me but they are for many others. Find your audience.
• Following trendy masses is boring. Be different and embrace the uncertainty that lies ahead.
• Read more. Write more. Learn to articulate your ideas and challenge your intelligence every day. Nothing is worse than trying to converse about business, strategy and creativity with inarticulate, simpleminded people.
• Lastly, don’t let 2017 slip by without doing that thing you want to do. Start that side project. Apply for that new job. Ask for that raise. Send your portfolio to that dream client. Thinking about it gets you no where. We will be remembered for what we do, not what we thought about doing.

Be safe and responsible on New Year’s Eve. I hope you have a prosperous, productive and healthy 2017.

Lessons from Makers of Sport: 2014–17 and beyond was originally published in Starters on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.