In my other life, I am not a freelancer. Instead, I work in an office with dozens of other creative types — writers, editors, designers and photographers — producing print publications.

There are days when the air is so thick with self-righteous indignation it would choke the most patient diplomat.

There is a universal truth about creatives: At some point in his or her career, he or she will have an ego that far outweighs the depth of their experience and the quality of their work. It may last for decades or it could shrink the minute that person walks out of art school.

Creatives are, by definition, creative. The creative process is one of expression and most do not take kindly to criticism, however well-meant or helpful it may be.

Period. End of story. Yes, I am talking about you.

A solution: Get over yourself.

Yeah, I said it. I mean it too. You are not any god's gift to photography. Your copy still needs edits. You are not the ultimate graphic designer.

You do not exist in a vacuum and your work will VERY RARELY be created solely by the the expression of your somewhat marketable artistic tendencies. Other will have input and influence. Accept this. Now.

In this world of rapidly changing technology, technique and style, there will always be something new to learn. Pretending your colleagues, either in the industry or simply in your workspace, have nothing to offer is asinine. You are as much a work in progress as your work in progress.

Swallow your pride and learn to learn from other creatives. Be influenced. Take when you can and give something back. And your work will be that much more fruitful.

Daniel Callahan is a writer and editor living (sometimes) and working in the Twin Cities.  Follow him @thisisajoke.

I got a parking ticket.

I could spend the next 1500 words detailing to you exactly why it is not my fault, or the fault of my vehicle, but rather due to a faulty metering system that penalizes the vehicle's owner instead of the city in instances when the city is clearly to blame for poor parking meter maintenance. Really, I could.

But that's not the point.

The point is I am NOT going to fight the ticket. As a professional, it's not worth my time.

Time is money, baby, and don't you forget it.

If I were to take, say, and afternoon and drive down to the courthouse to argue I should not have to pay $42 when, in fact, I had already stuffed the meter with well over $2, I am already losing the money it takes to drive, the money it takes to park, the money I am NOT EARNING by sitting around the courtroom all afternoon hoping they might not make me pay $42, which I clearly do not owe them. I'll end up in the hole regardless, it would only change how much.

As a freelancer, it's easy to divide your time how you choose. Volunteer organizations, trade groups, social institutions, personal errands, etc., can gobble up hour after hour. All of a sudden you haven't worked even 40 hours on the career that is supposed to pay your bills.

All these thing must come AFTER your work, ASIDE from your work, ON TOP of your work. It does no good to have a million contacts if you can't get the work done. Sure, you can run to the bank whenever you choose, but if that account is empty, what does that freedom do for you?

No one will stand over your shoulder and tell you to be more productive. No one is going to question why your work isn't done on time. They just won't hire you again. As a small business owner, as all freelancers are, you have to be the one keeping yourself at work, or find yourself another job.

In the end, my time, the hours and minutes in the day, are worth more than $44, leaving aside the auxiliary costs with trying to fight the ticket. You win this one, Minneapolis.

Stay focused. Stay productive.


Daniel Callahan is a writer and editor based in the Twin Cities. Follow him online @thisisajoke.