Are your skills becoming obsolete? As a writer or director, business or ministry leader, it's important to keep up with current trends and styles to stay current in your career. Phil Cooke shares 5 ways to help you keep your skills relevant in a changing culture.

1. Study the industry. Take the time to read trade magazines and see what other people are doing. In the film and television industry, lighting, shooting, directing and even editing styles change. It's important to pay attention to the changes so you don't become outdated in your work.

1. Keep up with the tools. Make the changes to keep up with the digital age. You want the kind of tools to give you the freedom to do best what you creatively want to do.

1. Learn from others better than you. Challenge yourself to work with people who are very good at what they do. Talk to them; network with them; ask them how they stay relevant. Don't allow yourself to get in a bubble.

1. Keep talented people around you. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you in the work place and in your social sphere. Spend time with people who will encourage you to be your very best.

1. Become an authority. Be an expert in what you do, whether it's your style of directing, writing, or your project work with clients, push yourself to be the expert. Study, read, attend conferences – spend time focusing on the area where you want to be the best in the world. Challenge yourself to grow and avoid becoming obsolete in a changing environment.

Change happens whether we like it and whether we're ready for it. It's not about always knowing what the next big thing is, but it's about positioning yourself so when it happens, your skills are up to speed and you're ready.

-Phil Cooke

For more on how to stay current in your field, visit Phil's blog at https://www.philcooke.com/creatives-is-your-work-becoming-dated/

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Listen to the Phil Cooke Podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/philcookes-podcast/id1439369056

Find out more about Cooke Pictures here: http://www.cookepictures.com/

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