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Dear Animators, Artists, People

I've written this sort of letter about 1 year back on Steemit when I just wanted to pen my thoughts down about my Steemit journey and my career that plays a big role in my life as we speak. It has been a 'one of a kind year' I would say because so many things have happened. The ups and downs in life has taken its toll one time or another but it has build my character to be who I am today.

I remember in my previous letter, I was still stuck in a company with no prospect and opportunity and every day was 'does the boss even care?' kind of workday. Looking back, I'm both glad and fortunate that I've come out from that hell hole and into greener pastures. Speaking about greener pastures, I've gotten my first ever career promotion today! I'm trying not to get so excited about things because I'm still under the 'promotion probation' and if I suck, they would revert my promotion status and salary package as well. So hush hush until I'm really confirmed as a senior animator.

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Photo by Nghia Le on Unsplash

But then again, being super happy because this is my first time getting promoted in my career line rather than 'jumping companies' to get that extra salary or promotion is definitely something exciting for me. It also shows that the company sees and appreciate my efforts and contribution that I've given even though this is only my 4 months working with them. And that brings me back to an animator's tip in finding a company.

Find a company that truly appreciates you regardless of how long you've worked for them

I know that some companies are all just talk and just a 'thank you' but you will know when they're sincere about it, they actually do something about it. This 'do' means actually put in action to show their gratitude. Maybe a pay raise? An internal promotion? Shaping you up to take on a leadership role and restructuring the team to get you there is all some of the ways a company truly shows their gratitude and appreciation. Even as little as throwing you a party is a form of better appreciation than just words. They can do better than that.

Looking back now, I'm glad that I've been to the 'bad companies' because I've actually hardened my skills through the times of burning the midnight oil with them and now I truly understand what a better company is. The greener pasture.

I'm not saying that my company is perfect, no company is. But if that company allows enough freedom for you to shape it better, that's a place you want to be in.

After 7 years working in the creative industry, I have finally also gotten my name credited in the project that I was involved in. Yes, no more third party sourcing and no more working on other company's project. Right now, I'm happily working on my own company's Intellectual property and right now is has just been launched in one of Singapore's biggest TV network, MediaCorp 5. It is sad to see that this animation industry is pretty messed up in terms of low-income salary and crediting their animators. Every producer wants to save money so they hire cheaper labor in countries like Malaysia and India to get their project done and these animators are never credited. I used to work in a company where my company was a 'third party outsource' for Disney. Which means, Disney gave the project to a company in Canada, and that company gave it to us. Disney never knew their cartoons were animated in Malaysia.

But that's life, and I'm sure I have not seen the harshest of it, not like I want to, but I'm glad that my life is looking up better and better these days. Launching my own company on the side, Hive account@omnivori, a good day job, coming back to Steemit blogging at night and most importantly good friends to travel this journey along with.

I can say that only after 7 years, my life is starting to settle down, and at the age of 28, I think it's not too late.

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Photo by Japheth Mast on Unsplash

Exciting Stuff

I actually have a lot to look forward this year and one just happened recently, that is the bitcoin's bullrun to 8k usd and boy....was it needed. It was such a suffocating time when bitcoin was low and now that it has spiked back up again is such a relief. The other thing is

Hive account@roelandp has just announced Steemfest 4 in Thailand this year November and I'm looking forward to plan the trip alongside #teammalaysia peeps.

Next would be getting myself involved in an upcoming movie which will be released next year. A bucket list to get my name in the credits for a movie hasn't been achieved so that is one of it. The company will be having its annual trip possibly to the Maldives this year as well, and I'm super excited about that. When the movie is done, we will all head over to Singapore to watch it premiere in the cinema too. While I'm busy with my day job, I hope to bring Hive account@omnivori to new heights and to make it a stable passive income for my partners and I so they can go full time in this. Talking about personal stuff, if there's time and God willing, I will be out looking for my life partner as well. Previous years I have been so busy with work and other things, I barely have the time to pursue any relationships further and I think this year is a good time for me. I'm not getting younger also.

And with that, I wish you the best of life and strength to overcome whatever may hinder you. You were always made for more.

Love, zord