Your fellow artist is not your competition, they are your ally.

The real trick is learning to navigate toxic individuals or those trying to use or belittle you for their own gain. That’s not cool, but not everyone is like that either.

If you feel like you’re in “a bucket of crabs” constantly being pulled down or discouraged to grow, then it’s time to find a new circle of friends or colleagues. Good friends support and lift each other up. Don’t let fear harbored by others trap you in a toxic place.

A good network of artists will pass jobs on to others when they are too busy or get you in contact with someone as a potential client. If you approach it as “all colleagues are competitors” then you are likely to drive away people that might get you your next big gig.