The Creative’s Journey from Amateur to Professional: Step 1: Creating the Vision

Every artist, musician, and creative professional starts at the same place—a spark of inspiration, and moment of creative genius, a deep burning passion, or praise from a loved one or a friend. But how do you turn that spark into a flame that guides your journey from amateur to professional? The first and most important step is creating your vision.

How to Write a Personal Vision Statement

Your personal vision statement is your North Star. It provides direction and focus, helping you navigate the ups and downs of the creative process. This is where your journey truly begins!

1. Identify Your Strengths

What makes you, you? Is it your ability to write captivating lyrics, your unique approach to playing an instrument, or your knack for making beats that get people moving? Take a moment to reflect on the skills and talents that come naturally to you. These strengths are the foundation of your creative journey.

How to Do It:

- Write down 5 things you're naturally good at. For example, maybe you’re great at harmonizing or have a unique way of using guitar effects.

- Ask a trusted friend or teacher for their input. Sometimes others see strengths in us that we might overlook. At World Tree, our instructors often help students discover hidden talents—whether it's a natural ear for melodies or a knack for rhythm.

- Record yourself and listen critically. What do you like about your playing? What stands out as particularly strong?

Knowing your strengths allows you to focus on areas where you shine, making you a more desirable professional in the music industry.

2. Reflect on Your Values

Your values are the guiding principles that shape your decisions and artistic style. What do you stand for? What kind of messages do you want your music to send? By aligning your creative goals with your values, you create work that is not only authentic but also impactful.

How to Do It:

- Create a values list. Write down what matters most to you, both in music and in life. For example, if inclusivity is a core value, you might want to make music that’s accessible to a wide audience or that amplifies underrepresented voices.

- Study artists you admire. What values do they represent in their music? Think about how artists like John Lennon used music to promote peace or how Beyoncé integrates themes of empowerment and identity into her work.

- Ask yourself, “What do I want people to feel when they hear my music?” Answering this question helps clarify how your values align with your creative vision.

At World Tree, we encourage students to stay true to their values as they grow, knowing that this authenticity sets them apart.

3. Evaluate How Your Skills Can Solve Real-World Issues

Art and music have the power to address challenges, connect people, and evoke emotion. Consider how your skills can impact the world around you. Are you passionate about social issues, mental health, or environmental change? Do you want to bring joy to people’s lives through uplifting tunes or provide an escape through cinematic soundscapes?

How to Do It:

- Choose a cause that resonates with you. If you’re passionate about climate change, you could write songs that raise awareness about environmental issues.

- Think of how your music can serve your community.** Maybe you could perform at charity events, write songs for non-profits, or start a music program for underprivileged kids. At World Tree, we often collaborate with local artists on community projects to use their skills for a greater good.

- Incorporate meaningful themes into your work.** Billie Eilish, for example, uses her platform to discuss mental health openly. You can do the same with your unique message.

By aligning your skills with real-world issues, your music gains a deeper purpose.

4. Select Your Desired Position Within Your Field

The music industry is vast, with countless roles to choose from. Some artists dream of performing on stage, while others may want to compose for film or produce in the studio. Knowing what role you aspire to play in the industry will help shape your path forward.

How to Do It:

- Explore different roles. Try producing a track, composing for a short film, or even teaching a lesson to a friend. At World Tree, we offer workshops where students can experiment with different aspects of the industry to see what they enjoy most.

- Take internships or shadow professionals. If you’re interested in becoming a recording engineer, for example, spend time learning the ropes in a studio setting.

- Research career paths in music.** Do you want to be a live performer, music educator, or session musician? Each path requires different skills and offers different rewards.

Once you know your desired position, you can start honing the specific skills necessary to succeed in that role.

5. Write Out Your Mission Statement

Once you’ve reflected on your strengths, values, and desired position, it’s time to put it all together in a personal mission statement. This statement is a declaration of what you want to achieve as a creative professional and how you plan to do it.

How to Do It:

- Use a simple framework:**

"I use my [strengths] to [action verb] in order to [desired outcome], while staying true to my [values]."

- Example mission statement:

"I use my songwriting and vocal strengths to create emotionally resonant songs that inspire connection, while staying true to my values of honesty and authenticity."

- Revisit and refine your statement regularly. As you grow as an artist, your mission may evolve. Don’t be afraid to adapt it as you gain new experiences and insights.

A well-written mission statement serves as a constant reminder of what you’re working towards and why.

Start Your Journey with World Tree Music Group

At World Tree Music Group, we believe that every creative journey is unique. By helping you build a strong foundation—starting with your personal vision—we empower you to grow from an amateur to a professional, all while keeping the process fun and exciting.

No matter where you are in your musical path, our community is here to guide you every step of the way. Ready to create your vision and start your journey? Let’s make music that matters.

In the mean time here are some great resources you should explore to help you build the vision for your work. These will help you do everything from see the big picture of why this work matters and navigate tools to help you maintain the vision you have built.

1. Books for Creative Vision

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron – This book helps break through creative blocks and develop a consistent creative practice. It's great for sparking inspiration and establishing habits that support your creative vision.

• Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon – It encourages borrowing from existing ideas and transforming them into something uniquely yours, which can help broaden your perspective and approach to creativity.

• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – This book focuses on embracing curiosity and creativity without fear, essential for allowing your vision to evolve freely.

• Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley – Helps you build the confidence to explore creative ideas and make them actionable, pushing you to trust your creative instincts.

2. Online Courses & Platforms

• Skillshare & Udemy – These platforms offer specialized courses across creative fields, helping you expand your skills and find inspiration from professionals. Learning new techniques can give you fresh perspectives.

• MasterClass – Industry experts teach you their craft, offering insight into the creative process of world-class artists. Their advice can help guide your own vision and work.

3. Creative Planning Tools

• Milanote – This tool is perfect for visually organizing your ideas, mood boards, and sketches, helping you map out a cohesive creative vision.

• Trello or Notion – Excellent for structuring your projects and breaking down your creative ideas into manageable steps, keeping you organized as you work towards your vision.

• Scrivener – Ideal for writers and creators of complex projects, this tool helps you manage multiple layers of a story or project, keeping your creative process structured.

• Behance & Pinterest – These platforms offer endless visual inspiration and can help you collect and curate ideas that resonate with your artistic goals.

4. Vision Board & Mind Mapping Tools

• Canva – A simple and effective tool for creating visual representations of your goals and ideas, helping you to see your vision more clearly.

• MindMeister – Mind mapping allows you to explore and connect different aspects of your creative ideas, leading to more cohesive projects.

• Procreate – For visual artists, this app makes it easy to create digital sketches and artwork, enabling you to explore different ideas and styles as you develop your vision.

5. Music & Audio Tools (For Musicians)

• Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, or FL Studio – These professional music production tools offer everything you need to create, arrange, and perfect your sound, which is key for building a strong musical vision.

• Songtradr – It’s not just about licensing but also connecting with industry professionals, which can lead to valuable feedback and refinement of your musical vision.

• Splice – Gives you access to a huge library of sounds and samples, which can inspire new ideas or help you refine the tone and feel of your projects.

6. Collaborative & Networking Communities

• ArtStation – It’s not only a platform to showcase your portfolio but also a way to connect with other creatives and gain feedback, helping shape and refine your vision.

• DeviantArt – Offers a community where artists can share work, get inspired, and receive critiques, all of which help in developing and enhancing your artistic voice.

• SoundCloud (for musicians) – Sharing your work on SoundCloud gives you the opportunity to gain feedback, collaborate, and connect with others who can help guide your creative direction.

7. Creative Journals & Prompts

• Morning Pages (The Artist’s Way) – Daily writing without judgment helps clear mental blocks, allowing your creative ideas to surface and flow more easily, refining your overall vision.

• Prompted Creative Journals – Guided prompts provide structured reflection, helping you to dive deeper into your values, artistic direction, and long-term creative goals.

8. Visual and Storytelling Inspiration

• Movies & Documentaries – Watching documentaries like “Abstract: The Art of Design” helps you see how other creators approach their work, offering valuable insights into building your own creative narrative.

• Art Galleries & Exhibitions – Whether in person or virtual, experiencing different forms of art stimulates your imagination and helps you think outside the box when crafting your own vision.

9. Creative Self-Reflection Tools

• Personality Tests – Understanding your strengths and tendencies helps you align your creative vision with your personality, ensuring that your work feels authentic and satisfying.

• Core Values Worksheet – Clarifying your values grounds your creative vision in what's most important to you, ensuring that your art reflects your core beliefs.

• Life & Career Coaching Platforms – Working with a coach or mentor can offer personalized guidance on how to turn your artistic ideas into a sustainable, impactful vision.

These resources are all excellent starting points to build a stronger, more refined creative vision, whether you're working on music, visual art, or writing. Each one offers a unique way to explore and nurture your artistic path!