The foundation of an editing career

A job posting crossed my email yesterday. When I clicked the link, I was met with these words:

You don’t hear that much in editing. It’s a zig-zagging industry. You start in one genre and easily end up somewhere you least expected. 

That’s both the exciting and difficult part of an editing career. It’s hard to plan when you don’t know where the road will take you. 

So the opportunities are hard to control. What can you control?

An editing career is built on 5 elements. 

• Skills

• Process

• Attitude

• Experience

• Relationships

These 5 things build a foundation that can last decades. 

When you are always learning, whether it’s deeper or complimentary skills… 

When you refine how you prep new projects, edit stories, relate with clients, and all the in-betweens…

When you pay attention to your emotions, how you relate to others, and learn to help clients be at their best…

When you look for projects that will stretch you or expand the genres you have cut…

When you prioritize connection both in and outside of the edit suite…

All of these things strengthen your foundation.

Every career looks different. The journey, the detours, the speed. Worrying about that creates unneeded stress. 

Instead, focus on what you can control. 

Take 2 minutes. Write down one thing you can do this month for each of them. Then put those items on your calendar. 

Growth comes from intentionality. And growth leads to a fruitful career.

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That's it for today!

Keep cutting,

– Jesse

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