Dear creative, I want to share that you are good at what you do. And your craft in most places is more than good enough for those that hired you. Your desire to be better is an honest effort. But the further improvement of your craft may not be for your clients – but for you.

At some point, you'll reach a level of mastery that's hard for unskilled employers to notice. Articulating your work's value is an integral part of your craft - not some side task of annoyance.

Your work gets into the world when you're able to share its value to others. Improving your craft is not a direct path to more visibility and connection. The truth is, you are not hired for your skill alone.

Part of creative mastery is balancing this tension between being good at your craft and sharing its value.

There are days when we want to hide in our work, to escape into the comfort of doing. But busyness will make us like an idling engine, running without moving. The way out is often grace to realized you're hiding, forgiveness to try again, and then turning to face the hard work.

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