By Monica Davidson

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, it’s easy to look back over the achievements and mistakes of the last twelve months, and vow to make it all different or better or less sucky next year.

It’s a time to reflect on the things you did well, a chance to kick yourself for the things you stuffed up, and a time to wonder if it’s all worthwhile. If you’re in a blue mood, you might want to dip your toe into the pool of regret. Just how badly did you fail this year? And if it was a real disaster, is it time to give up on your creative business and find a ‘real’ job?

For many of us, me included, this year has been a bin fire. I’ve had to make some of the toughest professional decisions I’ve ever made, and many days I felt like I was just hanging on by my fingernails. I have felt a lot of internal contradictions too. On the one hand, I do believe that the resilience to hang on through the tough times is essential to creative self-employment. However, I don’t prescribe to the ‘never ever give up’ attitude. I think giving up is actually a great idea, if you really don’t think you’re pursuing the right path. After all, if I’d never given up I’d be married to my dreadful high school boyfriend, I’d still live in my home town, and I’d be running a business I fell out of love with years ago. 

I have quit some pretty big things in my life, including my production company, which ran successfully for twenty years. I started as a lone freelancer working out of my bedroom, and built the company up to manage big clients, large budgets, and a team of people. Just after our two decade anniversary, I closed the doors. 

I quit for lots of reasons, many that I can’t go into here, but the main reason was because I just wasn’t passionate about what I was doing any more. I didn’t really know why I was going to work, which is a huge problem when you’re the boss, and I didn’t feel like I was living up to my purpose any longer.

For me, quitting was a strategic choice that brought me immense relief, and opened up the possibility of pursuing something I was really passionate about, which is what I’m doing now as the Doyenne of Creative Plus Business. 

I found some of the courage to quit from Seth Godin’s wonderful little book about the trials and traps of quitting and hanging in there, The Dip, which I re-read every year just to be sure that I’m still heading in the direction I want to be. 

And as for failure, I think a day without failure is a day wasted. Failure is a marvellous teacher, and even better, it’s a part of the creative process. If it wasn’t, we would get everything right the first time, and there would be no need for spellcheck, drafts, rehearsals or edits.

The question is not whether or not you’re going to fail, because failure is an inevitable and vital part of creative life – the question is what you’re going to do afterwards. Is this failure a sign to give up? Or is it time to take a breath, steady yourself, and take the next step?

Yes, this has been a year of tough choices and scary moments, but as it draws to a close I’m happy to say that while I have failed often and well this year, I’m not ready to quit. I still feel a sense of purpose, and I have enough energy to carry on for at least another year. This is for the best, since Creative Plus Business turns 10 in 2026 and I do love a birthday!

If you’re feeling that this year has brought you undone, be kind to yourself. Take some time and find a quiet place to do some deep thinking about failures and success. If you feel like quitting, and the idea gives you some sweet relief, it’s time to make a plan. If you still have some gas in the tank, take the time to make a different plan, and see where that next step might take you.

And from all of us here at Creative Plus Business, happy merry everything and have a wonderful summer.