WORK ON STUFF YOU REALLY LIKE and/or WOULD BUY.
In the past few years, I've worked for clients and brands I didn't care about. I've worked on products designed to trick someone into doings something they didn't probably want to do. I've worked on stuff that was designed to sell something I would never - ever - buy myself.
This has been a waste of my time. Now, I know why people do this. It's not that complex. You got to make some money and/or reach your goals (financial usually) or you can make up some twisted reason why it makes sense for you.
But you know the truth, right? You don't care about it. It's the kiss of death. Passion. All of it. It all goes down the toilet. The truth is that... If you don't work on products or campaigns for stuff you would actually buy yourself and/or CARE about, you have an uphill battle. It's not impossible. It's just harder. A lot harder.
I think it's worthwhile thinking of what you WOULD do if you had limited time here on this planet. You do, after all, have limited time. You probably won't be the Rockstar you are now in 20 years. Unlikely. You'll be old. You'll look at the Tweens going: "what? that makes no sense" (I just did that today, so maybe I'm ahead of myself.)
While you're figuring out what to do, here's what I'll do:
- Only work on clients, brands, and projects I believe in
- Focus on products and brands I actually buy myself
- Spend time with people I like and I respect
When you have fun - life is not that short.
(I write this under the influence of wine. Lot's of it. And, I don't edit or review it before posting.)