I realized something over the last few weeks about the projects I want to take on and the ones I don’t.

I took on a project that involved the development of a modest, professional services website recently.

Just the development. The writer and designer are people whose talents I admire and they are terrific to work with — I’d recommend them any day.

But because I was doing just the development, I felt very detached. A project for me is knowing and meeting the client, being involved from the get go. It also felt like I had placed myself 15 years in the past when I was just a production artist.

So while this project came to a completion to everyone’s satisfaction, I realized this is not the type of project I want to be doing. I didn’t learn anything new, I didn’t feel apart.

In contrast, I began a new branding project with a new client last week. We met, along with the writer for the project, for a getting-to-know you, what are your plans for your new business, how do you want to be perceived, what are your likes and dislikes, where do you see yourself in five years type of meeting.

A very good meeting. A meeting where you could tell there’s good creative chemistry between us — the kind I hope for. In this case, I get to know someone new, learn what they do and be exposed to new thoughts and ideas. I know the work will challenge me and allow me to grow as a designer — something I look for. It also makes me want to give it my all — to do my level best for this new client.

Which is what I mean about following your bliss. Part of that, for me, means building good working relationships where there’s trust in each other’s knowledge and options are valued. The work is always more rewarding and in the end, not only do I get paid from my clients, I get hugs.

That’s not to say I haven’t had some of this type of client or be at the receiving end of this type of decision maker. But since I’ve learned to follow my bliss, it’s far less likely to happen. And I’m saner for it.

So what’s your bliss? Are you following it? What’s standing in your way?