HOW TO OWN IT

Want to avoid the gratitude trap? These five creatives share their learnings from personal experience…

CHRISTINE LUCIGNANO, MAKE-UP ARTIST

“It’s hard because you can say ‘know your worth’, but you don’t really know your worth until you’ve gotten to the point in your career where you are worth it. Once you know your worth, you’re going to spend a lot of time fighting the battle. If you don’t have thick skin – which a lot of creatives don’t – you can be preyed upon. Find the people who’ll treat you respectfully. I am hugely loyal to those clients. Learn to stand up for yourself, and ask for proper conditions.”

RACHEL LYSAGHT, FILM AND TV PRODUCER, UNDERGROUND FILMS

“Put a monetary value on your time and your work. State this clearly at the beginning of any conversation regarding an ‘opportunity’. If you don’t value your energy and creativity, no one else will. Recognise your worth. Own it.”

SARAH RICKARD, STYLIST

“Working for myself in the fashion industry means I’m only as good as my next job. I can easily feel disheartened when I’m constantly pitching but not getting that many commissions, so I take that time to reflect on what I’ve achieved in the last three to six months. It’s so important to take stock, and I always

feel better when I’ve taken an aerial view of my work. I often repeat this Chinese proverb to myself: ‘Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.’ That got me through a lot of frustrating times. Don’t be too hard on yourself!”

ZOË JORDAN, FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF ZOË JORDAN

“It’s useful at the start of your career to barter your time for experience; I used to get breakfast for my trading desk in the city every day in return for some tutoring on the global markets. But as you get older and more experienced, you must have the strength to know your worth. If you are adding value, make sure the compensation is in line and worth your while.”

TARA O’CONNOR, PR CONSULTANT

“The key for me in any career is having confidence in yourself and your work, and loving what you do. We should work not because we have to, but because we love what we do. Getting up and going to work at something you love doing makes you a better person. We should be proud of ourselves every day for what we achieve, especially if you are juggling a career and being a mom.”