Overcoming the Portfolio Paralysis

This is an essay on navigating the psychological limbo of portfolio creation with actionable methods that have worked for me.

For most of us, our skills are a journey of learning, unlearning, and coming to terms with the new, unknown, and scary in between. We go through a process of self-exploration and reflection (through undergrad, master’s, or any educational path) and join the workforce as a way to test and polish what we’ve learned. And from the work we’ve done, we find what we like, dislike, or tolerate. Much of this goes into our work which becomes our window to the world — the “Portfolio” — the ‘P’ word that strikes terror in the hearts of all creators. I have seen the younglings of the industry and the seasoned professionals — all equally stumble at the thought of creating a piece/portfolio. Nothing strikes fear into the hearts of designers like the prospect of developing a portfolio. What is this universal phenomenon that every creative out here faces? And why?

Is it the thought of showcasing our best work? Having all the blood, sweat, and tears aired out? Or is it the tedious process of reliving the work over and over again? We obsess over what we did for a client but the mere mention of putting it down in written words, in a display format — it shakes us up. Our brains are wired to do, not show & tell. Or is it procrastination — the inability to get ourselves to actualize what we’ve done? We strive for perfection in our version, but it becomes yet another thing to improve. We can happily develop and enjoy breaking our heads on complicated research analysis or strategy builds but the task of creating a body of our own work is a beast that induces anxiety, fear, insecurity, and all things not nice. To top it off, advice from colleagues, seniors, or peers can conflict and confuse us. (“There’s no one size fits all”, “Show the process, don’t show the process”, “Highlight personal style, personas are overrated in portfolios”, “Add a contribution statement” — “This depends on the role you’re applying for”). They’re all right and that’s even more frustrating. The solution could be making different portfolios (But who has time to get one done, let alone many?). The act of portfolio creation is a test of perseverance and resilience. I’m sure people with GitHub links to update, resumes to perfect, and literature samples to write would also feel the same. It feels almost destructive to our mental health to put ourselves through the process of showcasing our work by re-doing it over and over till we feel jaded looking at it. But as the flawed genius Picasso said “Every act of creation starts with the act of destruction”. Starting and starting with self.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

The question now is how do I get started? How do I move past the inaction (brought by fear, perfectionism, insecurity, and information overload) into action? Maybe it’s just some action.

“Perfect is the enemy of good” (and of growth).

It’s been said and done, and to get done is to do. The solution is not “perfect” — it never was (I’m guessing) and it never will be (I’m betting). We are evolving and our portfolios will evolve with us, we have to show our skills from where we are now to get where we want to be tomorrow. There are a few solutions that have been working for me so far in staying on top of my anxiety:

1. The early bird catches the worm and avoids the eleventh-hour scramble!

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Starting early, as you’re getting done with your project, add a task to the checklist about finalizing the structure/content of your piece for the portfolio. In the momentum of completion, this one step will give you a strong footing for starting your piece. Edit slowly as you progress. This may seem like an added burden after finishing a project, but remember, the procrastination snake could get you then. Better slow than never!

2. Curate Your Enthusiasm, Your Renewable Energy

Photo by DocuSign on Unsplash

Adjust your pieces to showcase the focus area you’re interested in. Develop projects in ways that can relate to your other projects through skills, sectors, or your roles. This will get you excited about discovering new depths of your interest and will help employers understand your area of expertise and growth.

3. The mountaineer’s mantra: One careful foothold after another

As you make the portfolio, focus only on the next section. Looking at the huge mountain ahead will overwhelm you. Baby steps every day. As you focus on developing the piece, finalize the section you’re doing in the present and after you’re done, jot down a few ideas to communicate for the next section. And done for today! Trying to do it all together, will give you a head-rush you don’t need.

4. Facts tell, but stories sell

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood

As my professor says, “Story is the key” over long sample cases. Distill down to the WHO, WHAT, WHY, HOW & HOW SO — the core problem, solution, and outcomes. If recruiters spend an average of 2 minutes on a portfolio then simplicity takes the crown. This simplicity takes (a lot of) work but anchors your abilities and builds the contextual impact of your work. I’m working around distilling this myself but it’s worth noting that your stories sell your work. Add the facts to support your story.

5. Be You Own Damn Cheerleader!

Photo by Dakota Corbin on Unsplash

The portfolio should build self-belief despite imperfections. Your work has value, you’ve shown it. Note your accomplishments — big or small. Get a peer buddy and be each other’s hype-person. Write affirmations on your desk. Boost yourself up, you’re your best advocate. And we all believe in you!

While this process is a challenging one, it is also a way to conquer self-doubt, stay resilient, and build value for yourself. Maybe there’s a framework for portfolio development or an AI tool (you’ll have to think that one through!) but for now — we restart, and add a little more daily. It’s a game of snakes and ladders. Put on music and climb steadily, rung by rung.

If “not good enough” thoughts return, remember — stopping nourishes the terrible self-doubt. Tiny steps forward nourish self-belief. Mastering portfolios is hard but persistence pays off. Once in control, the possibilities are endless. It’s understandable to be scared, but taking action is the only way. Start small today — 15 minutes — and build upward. We’ve got this! Baby steps inch us towards a portfolio waiting to be great.

And so I’m going to work on my portfolio now. It seems only fair! See you when I’m done.

— Aabha