Embracing Change with Purpose
Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we find ourselves in an industry that’s shifting beneath our feet. The seismic changes in the TV world bring challenges—but also immense opportunities, especially for freelance creatives. I hope my take on A 2025 Manifesto for Creatives suffering the freelance jobs crisis helps.
Manifesto v Resolutions
This year, instead of setting resolutions, I’m drafting a manifesto—a declaration of principles and intentions to guide me through the year. It’s a response to the times we live in and a reminder that change isn’t just something that happens to us; it’s something we can shape. Resolutions are just designed to help us fail!
The idea of a manifesto is gaining momentum, with thought leaders like Steven Bartlett and Adobe championing it as a new way to focus and achieve your goals. In their approach, a manifesto isn’t just about what you want to do—it’s about who you want to be and how you plan to impact the world. You can read more about this movement here.
This is my personal manifesto—a mood board for 2025. It’s visually oriented, which is perfect for someone like me, a dyslexic thinker. While there’s a brief written version, it’s more about values than detailed plans. Goals are included, blending personal aspirations with professional ambitions, and even a touch of manifestation.
Many productivity systems begin by separating work and home into distinct categories. I believe this approach doesn’t reflect the reality of freelance, gig-based, and uncertain career paths, where the line between work and home is often blurred. Instead, we should embrace them as one.
A task list should encompass all aspects of life: achieving personal goals, maintaining physical and mental health, fostering relationships, and practicing sound financial management. These areas are interconnected, influencing how we earn our income and approach what we traditionally call “work.”
Just as the 9-to-5 office job is increasingly outdated, so too is the strict separation of work and personal life. Systems like Notion’s Second Brain advocate starting with a unified task list, and I think that’s the way forward.
Keeping Freelancers in Mind
But before diving in, I want to take a moment to acknowledge something important: the freelancers who are pivoting or have already pivoted away from this industry we all love. It’s not just a career decision; it’s a deeply personal and often traumatic choice. Leaving TV and media—whether to seek stability, explore new passions, or adapt to industry disruptions—doesn’t mean severing the close bonds we forge in production.
If you’ve pivoted, know this: you’re still part of our community. Those of us who remain in the industry have a responsibility to support you and ensure these relationships stay strong. The work we do is shaped by collaboration, and that sense of camaraderie should transcend career paths.
Now, let’s talk about how we can move forward together.
A Manifesto for Freelance Creatives in 2025
Let’s align our work with purpose and progress. Here’s my five-point manifesto for thriving in 2025:
1. Embrace the Disruption
The industry is changing fast, and rather than resist, let’s lean into it. Whether it’s experimenting with new formats, embracing virtual production, or diving into short-form storytelling for platforms like TikTok, this is the time to adapt and grow.
Practical Tip: Identify one trend in your area of expertise (e.g., AI in production or the rise of FAST channels) and commit to exploring how it could enhance your work.
2. Prioritize Collaboration Over Competition
The best ideas are born from diverse perspectives. Let’s make 2025 the year we actively support each other as freelancers—sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities.
Practical Tip: Join or create a network of like-minded professionals. Platforms like LinkedIn groups, industry meetups, or creative hubs (like the RSA) are great starting points.
3. Lead with Integrity
The creative industries thrive on trust and respect. Integrity isn’t just a moral choice; it’s a foundation for sustainable careers. Be transparent in your dealings, fair in your collaborations, and purposeful in your projects.
Practical Tip: Draft a personal code of ethics to guide your decisions. Include values like inclusivity, fairness, and accountability.
4. Invest in Lifelong Learning
The pace of change demands we stay sharp. Whether it’s mastering a new editing software, understanding emerging platforms, or honing your storytelling skills, continuous learning is essential.
Practical Tip: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to learning. Free resources like Coursera, MasterClass, and industry webinars make it easy to upskill without overwhelming your schedule.
5. Design for Impact, Not Ego
Shift the focus from self-promotion to creating work that matters. Ask yourself: How does this project inspire, challenge, or uplift others? Impact resonates longer than individual recognition.
Practical Tip: For every project, set one measurable goal that reflects its potential impact—whether it’s audience engagement, sparking meaningful conversations, or amplifying underrepresented voices.
A Word About My RSA Fellowship
This year, I took a step aligned with this manifesto by becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). The fellowship is not about recognition it is about commitment.
The RSA is a charity whose mission is to inspire better ways of thinking, acting, and designing a fairer society. Fellows apply to join because they share these values—not because of accolades or status.
For me, joining the RSA is about embracing:
• Inclusivity: Creating opportunities for everyone, regardless of background.
• Ethical Design: Shaping systems and practices that promote fairness and innovation.
• Integrity: Advocating for meaningful change, not self-promotion.
I hope to contribute actively to these ideals and encourage you to explore communities and organizations that resonate with your personal values.
Draft Your Own Manifesto
This year, I challenge you to go beyond resolutions and create your own manifesto. Write down what matters most to you as a creative and how you intend to align your work with those principles.
Need inspiration? Start with these prompts:
• What change do you want to see in the industry?
• What values will guide your decisions?
• How will your work contribute to a better, fairer creative landscape?
Building a Better Industry Together
2025 is a year for optimism, creativity, and action. Let’s embrace the challenges ahead and work towards an industry—and a world—that inspires us all.
Whether you’re staying in the industry or venturing into something new, your experience and connections are invaluable. Let’s keep supporting one another, regardless of where the road leads.
What’s in your manifesto for this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts—share them with me or join the conversation online. Together, we can shape the future.
Here’s to a year of positive change! draft your version of A 2025 Manifesto
Warm regards,
Media Consultant | TV Director | Format Creator
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