As a freelance creative, I have always hustled with the mindset that it is imperative for me to keep growing. It ensures that I am kept up to developments in the industry, and to adapt my skills to the ever-changing work environment to stay ahead of the curve. So when I attended Freelancer Nation's workshop on Harnessing the potential of AI and Web3, I knew it was a good opportunity to discover and understand more about this phenomenon, as we enter the new age of technology.
I have learnt a number of key lessons, and gained valuable insights from the engaging and motivating speakers who served us a reality check on the industry, for those of us who don't see it. With that said, here are the three key lessons I took away from the session:
Lesson 1: There has to be a mentality shift.
It is always easier to remain in our comfort zone. It may also feel better to stay familiar with what we know and are good at.
However, not many of us will be lucky enough to stay sustainable doing what we do, for the next 20 or so years. This is why adapting our mindset to think about how we can leverage the current tools that we have, to enhance our skills and workflow is so important to differentiate ourselves from the pack.
When we stop looking at these technologies as threats or 'replacements' to our careers, we will discover that they are just tools we can incorporate into our work and enhance our skills and capabilities. This in turn makes room for innovation and growth. This shift in mentality also means being open to learning new things and being comfortable with not knowing everything.
If you can't win 'em, join 'em, right?
Lesson 2: The best time to fail and learn is now.
To the above point: While the technology has developed significantly over the past decade, it is still considered to be in its infancy.
But as it advances and the industry continues to develop, it also presents the best time for us to take risks and experiment on how we can best work with it, by failing and learning from our mistakes. Imagine trying to hop onto the bandwagon AFTER everyone is already familiar with how to use the tech!
Would you rather be the one to teach others, or be taught by someone who spent their time learning how to use the technology before you? The order of which it happens makes a world of difference in terms of how others would perceive your credibility.
By being proactive and taking risks now, we can position ourselves as early adopters and gain a competitive advantage over those who are hesitant to explore these technologies.
Lesson 3: Technological advancements are not an excuse to be complacent.
Technology has certainly added a vast amount of convenience to our lives. For example, we rely mostly on our smartphones now; for directions, payments, storage.. you get the drift. Sometimes, we forget that we are still in control of how we use them.
AI and Web3 are not any different. But it is crucial to remember that they are still just tools- and not a replacement for our own efforts and hard work. The moment we become complacent with our current knowledge and skills, we risk becoming obsolete and left behind by those who continuously strive to learn and adapt.
While AI and Web3 can do a lot of things, they still need our input and creativity to refine and perfect their output. Your role as a creative freelancer remains; and you should still rely on your own expertise and skills to bring value and uniqueness to your work, even in a world where AI and Web3 play a significant role. Ultimately, it is our ability to collaborate and combine our skills with these technologies that will lead to breakthroughs and innovation.
So while technological advancements may bring convenience, let's not forget that it also requires us to constantly evolve and challenge ourselves in order to fully harness its potential. Don't let technology be a reason for complacency, but use it as a motivation to keep growing and learning.
The door hasn't closed, but another has opened.
While we may be able to continue to stay comfortable in our way of working, AI and Web3 present a compelling opportunity for us to harness their capabilities. The workshop was a great reminder that the creative industry and technology are constantly evolving. It is time for us to open up, and embrace new technologies like AI and Web3 to stay ahead of the curve. By adopting a growth mindset, being open to learning, taking risks, and combining our skills with these technologies, we can push the boundaries of what's possible and create more value for our clients and the industry.
The first step to grow is to show up for yourself. Freelancer Nation offers a variety of resources and training opportunities for freelancers and solopreneurs to grow and receive guidance from seasoned professionals, wherever they may be in their journey.
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