Why the creator ethic is key to the future of work

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

There has been a sea change in the way people think about work: how they work, where they work and with whom they work. No longer built around the idea of ​​a 9-5 job, becomes much more fluid, allowing people, passion and skills to shine. As this evolution continues, the personified ethos will pave the way for the future of work.

In many ways, the future of work is already here. It is estimated that the creator economy will grow to over $104 billion by the end of 2022. More than 50 million people consider themselves creators and approximately 30% of young Americans want to become digital creators instead of practice traditional professions such as doctors and lawyers. But being a creator doesn't just mean using or monetizing online content. Being a creator means doing work that you are deeply passionate about, which often means sharing experiences, expertise, or creativity with a . This audience can consist of millions of subscribers or a few dozen customers on Kajabi. That's the beauty of the creator's philosophy: whatever you have to share, there will be an audience eager to consume it.

Related: How to Break into the Creator Economy in the Digital Age

Adopt a strong sense of self

At the heart of the designer's philosophy is a strong sense of self. Rather than being "one of many" or working for a company or market, being a creator means being able to thrive on your own terms. In fact, this high self-esteem is one of the biggest differences between gig workers and creators.

In the gig economy, workers have some freedom, but for the most part they are constrained by platforms that encourage uniformity among workers. For example, if you're an Uber driver, you're told who to pick up for a ride and when to pick them up. This is markedly different from an artist who has the freedom to sell their work or collaborate with other creators to produce art and show it off on YouTube, or an aspiring musician who doesn't just music on Spotify, but also works with other artists. to create music that will be picked up by TikTok creators.

Related: Can the creator economy help democratize entrepreneurship?

There's never been a better time to embrace the designer's philosophy

A confluence of events ranging from the pandemic to technology to paying transparency laws makes this the perfect time to shine your creator ethos. Although the seed has always been there, this type of thinking has become increasingly prevalent as the way we think about work continues to change. The barrier to entry, which was traditionally high for most jobs, is significantly reduced. Today, you don't necessarily need to go to school to become an expert at something. You can learn from a plethora of online courses, both from institutions and other creators.

The pandemic has undoubtedly accelerated the shift to , making it easier for those who want to follow their passions to have the flexibility to do so wherever and whenever they choose. Additionally, the pandemic has caused many people to reassess their relationship to work and how they want to spend their time. Many people have quickly realized that life is too short to do something they are not passionate about.

For some, embracing the designer mindset was an inevitable choice. For example, my wife quit her 9am-5pm job to start her own coaching and counseling practice after her passion for helping people helped her realize the freedom to leave oppressive systems. For others, becoming a creator was more circumstantial, such as those whose livelihoods were threatened by the pandemic and who unearthed dormant creative skills to stay afloat.

Broadway performer Kari Cotone told me how she channeled her songwriting talents when Broadway shut down during the pandemic. Before the tech tools that power creators online, she had to juggle a fulfillment contract and work in bars and restaurants. She is now able to operate freelance writing, work with online clients, and adjust her workload based on upcoming artistic gigs.

We can't forget the role of technology in creating the environment and tools creators need to follow their passions. Without the creation of communication platforms like Slack and Zoom, the proliferation of affordable laptops, ubiquitous high-quality Wi-Fi and more, it's hard to imagine creating...