If you’re wondering how to win an award, you’re on the right page.

And if you’re surprised that there might be a specific way to win an award, I feel you.

A while after I won an award for writing a novel, I started to get messages from people who specifically wanted to become award-winning writers, to show them how.

Those requests only increased after I won a UK BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts) award for blogging.

Personally, I do feel some type of way about specifically doing something for the purpose of winning an award – especially in the areas of Law or Media where such wins are actually subjective.

But even in the midst of subjectivity, there can be a method to the madness. So, if you really want to know how to win an award, this might help you.

The #1 thing to do is determine what is actually important to you and why.

If you’re trying to win an award to feel good about yourself or feel validated in your craft, I’d say not to bother.

Barely an hour after I won my BEFFTA, I went back to myself. I remember literally thinking, “I still feel like me.”

I’m not sure what I thought I would feel, but whatever it was, I didn’t feel it. Yes, I was euphoric that I won, but even that wore off after a while.

I remember thinking, “I am truly grateful for this award, but it’s a good thing I’m already happy in my professional life and personal life. Cos if I was waiting for this award, to be happy, I’d be really miserable right now.”

That was when I understood why some rich, famous, feted celebrities harm or even kill themselves.

Winning awards don’t validate you (or anyone for that matter) as a person. And as momentarily good as they are for your ego, they don’t actually prove that you are better than anyone else in your category.

If you don’t already feel good about yourself or what you bring to the table, not even a plaque or statuette made of glass, wood or metal will is going to brainwash you into feeling worthy.

Your worth as a human being and as a Creative CANNOT be tied to an award.

So, in wanting to know how to win an award, you need to decide what’s really important to you and why.

Before you go gunning for something that’s actually going to make you more miserable and make you feel even more unfulfilled than you already are. Winning a popularity contest does not mean you’ve got money in the bank. Just saying…

The #2 thing to do when you’re trying to figure out how to win an award is to fix your mind.

Sometimes, you ‘fail’ at something because your mind isn’t right.

Anyone can give you strategies or hacks, but if your psychology is off and you hate yourself, you’re just not going to succeed.

Instead, your mind will keep finding reasons for those strategies and hacks not to work for you, while your results keep justifying what your mind is saying.

So, get your mind right – whether you are a blogger, a musician, a writer, a podcaster, a lawyer or anything else – but don’t hold tightly to the thought of the award or how it might happen.

I knew deep down that I’d won before I officially found out, but I was surprised because
a) some people first found out about me from my writing fiction, so although I ran a blogazine, it NEVER crossed my mind that I’d be nominated for (never mind win) an award for blogging
b) I was literally minding my business.

Nobody who has ever won an award, did it cos they sat in the studio or in front of their computer, specifically trying to figure out which piece of work would win.

There is literally no way to know while you are creating something, that it will win an award – especially as the award might not happen immediately.

So, the #3 thing to do if you want to know how to win an award is to mind your business.

I mean that literally.

If you are a writer, learn how to write better.
If you are a model or an upcoming one and want to be recognised, then put the work in.
If you are a lawyer, blogger, podcaster, YouTuber, singer, singer-songwriter, actor, whatever – learn how to do the job better.

Then, learn the business.

Knowing the craft is not enough because you can win an award, yet be broke. And seriously, what’s the point of that?

You need to know about the business you’re in.

• What’s happening in your industry now?
• How do you get paid for your participation in your craft?
• How do you measure your growth in your industry?
• Apart from publicity stunts that have a tendency to backfire or be forgotten, what do you need to do to get to the next level?
• What systems do you have around you to help you achieve your aim (the one I asked you to identify in #1 above)? How do you gauge their performance? What contracts have you signed to make sure you can fire whomever you need to?
• Have you gotten a relative who doesn’t know what they’re doing or a lecherous shark to pose as your manager or agent?

I help young women in Law and Media to develop strong voices, solid careers and stable personal lives. If you want to get these results, apply for your paid consultation here.

And if you got nothing else from this post, know that how to win an award is to get your MIND and your BUSINESS sorted.