Craft vs. Cash: Finding Success Without Sacrificing Your Passion
I find it very difficult to transition from a craftsman to a manager.
As an introvert and skilled craftsman, I enjoy the pleasure of doing what I love, what I am good at and having control over my work. But it seems that if I need to scale my business or earn more, I have to quit my work as a craftsman and embrace a new job as a manager .I wonder if this is the only way to fulfilment and wealth?
When I was a software engineer, there was no career path for programmer to senior programmer. The next level in the career ladder is to be a manager.
The manager is suppose to manage a team of programmers, to make presentation to clients and manage their expectation. I hate managing people. It's not my strength. I am not assertive enough, patient or diplomatic enough and my authoritarian style of leadership will cause a rebellion.
Now that I am a freelance writer, it is hard to be in a business where I cannot write but to manage a team of writers. Management is not what I want, but is it inevitable?
I received this email from Jon Morrow this morning. Here's what he said:
"This email is going to upset some people.
But if you’re willing to keep an open mind, it could also make you a lot of money
Who do you think earns a better income…
An experienced, highly skilled writer who can write several high quality articles per week. The strategist deciding what content should be published and then farming it out to a dozen writers
Obviously, it’s the strategist, right?
It’s one of the iron laws of business: those who do the thinking get paid 10-100X more than those who do the doing.
And honestly, that’s why I don’t write much anymore.
Even though I’m a brilliant writer, I make FAR more money sitting back and telling other people what to write.
And the same is true for you.
If you really want to level up in the content world, you need to stop writing and start STRATEGIZING.
-- end of email.
I find it hard to forsake the love of my life and embrace my enemy.
I asked Gemini (Gen AI) and here's the advice:
I understand your frustration. The idea of transitioning from a craftsman, who takes pride in their skill, to a manager, who oversees others, can be a tough pill to swallow. But the good news is, there are ways to achieve fulfillment and wealth without sacrificing your love for crafting content. Here's my advice:
Explore Alternative Leadership Styles:
Jon Morrow's point about strategists versus writers holds merit, but there's more to leadership than barking orders. Consider exploring alternative leadership styles that suit your strengths. Maybe you can be a facilitating leader, who empowers your team and removes roadblocks for them to shine.
Build a Scalable Craft Business:
Focus on building a scalable craft business that leverages your skills without demanding full-time management. Here are some ideas:
- Create High-Value Crafts: Instead of mass-producing lower-priced crafts, focus on creating unique, high-value pieces that command premium prices.
- Develop Online Courses/Tutorials: Share your knowledge by creating online courses or tutorials where you teach your craft to others.
- Build a Subscription Model: Offer a subscription service where you provide exclusive content or access to your expertise.
Leverage Technology and Automation:
Explore how technology and automation can streamline your tasks and free up your time. Maybe you can invest in tools for scheduling, communication, or project management to reduce the management burden.
- Hire for Specific Tasks:
Instead of managing a team of writers you dislike, consider hiring dependable freelancers or virtual assistants for specific tasks like research or editing. This allows you to focus on your strength - writing - while delegating other aspects.
- Collaboration is Key:
There's a middle ground between crafting solo and full-blown management. Consider collaborating with other skilled craftsmen to create joint projects or share resources. This way, you can leverage each other's strengths without the full weight of management.
Remember, Jon Morrow's email is just one perspective. There are many paths to success in the content world. Focus on finding a model that allows you to combine your love of crafting with the strategic thinking needed to scale your business.
What is your advice?
