One of the biggest steps of growth any creative professional can see is great self-confidence that the ideas will come and the skills you’ve acquired will be there to craft something when needed.
It’s humble self-confidence, not arrogance. It’s there, but you’re still on edge while the creativity seems to flow from your fingertips. It’s a magical experience.
I just finished a photography project that was full of unknowns and not much could be done to plan for what would happen. Yet I stepped back earlier today from the project and looked at what we made. It’s really good stuff.
Yet I don’t derive satisfaction from the good finished product. I feel satisfied because I did the work. I trusted in my skills and walked into a situation that was scary and delivered great work because I trusted my work and put in the time.