PP 181: Finding What Works Best for YOU | Blaze Your Own Path Series Pt. 2/3
Last week, Part 1 of this series was about getting started and believing that whatever you want to accomplish creatively is possible for you.
You’ve given yourself permission to explore the early stages of your creative dream WITHOUT trying to monetize it right from the jump.
In Part 2, we’re laying the foundation for how you intentionally and authentically show up as yourself in your work.
There’s a quote by Brad Thor that says, “Success leaves clues, and if you sow the same seeds, you’ll reap the same rewards.”
While there’s a LOT of truth in this, I’m an advocate that you can manifest your dreams on your own terms.
It’s too easy to feel like you have to replicate someone else’s model for success.
I’m all for studying and referencing what others are doing, But instead of copying their formula, leverage parts that work best for you and do the damn thing your own way.
Unfortunately, I fell into the trap of replicating someone else’s success super early in my creative grind...
Mimicking Your Idol’s Footsteps
The first three years after college were extremely rough on me: I lacked purpose and creative confidence.
Those first three years were filled with failed attempts at drawing tattoos, designing logos, and co-running a clothing company.
Looking back and connecting the dots, all those failures led me to stumble upon hand lettering which caused me to my work like crazy on Instagram.
In 2014, I finally gained a bit of traction with my artistic groove when I started Perspective-Collective.
I had no idea what I was doing, but I became a huge fan of people like Erik Marinovich, Lauren Hom, and Jessica Hische—to me, they had it all figured out.
I was convinced that the only way I was going to be successful like my idols and get the clout I so desperately craved from my peers was by:
Becoming a full-time freelancer.
Working with the biggest brands in the world.
This is what I saw all the big names doing this, so this had to be the secret formula...right?
It took me longer than I’d like to admit to realize following someone else’s path wasn’t right for me.
As I attempted to mimic my idols’s footsteps, I quickly became hella unfulfilled and bored AF.
It didn’t “feel” right because I was in it solely for the glory and recognition.
Going With Your Gut
Freelancing never set me on fire. My intuition kept nudging me to pursue encouraging and empowering my creative peers (I know...super cheesy, but true).
I went with my gut not once, but twice, and hit pause on taking on clients work for an entire year both times. That freed me up to chase this other path that’s led me to where I am today.
I first hit pause on freelancing in 2016, and I went all-in on finding my voice and style in my work and focused on growing the podcast.
I hit pause the second time in 2019. While leaving income on the table was scary, I went all-in on chasing the call to become a Creative Side Hustle Coach.
When I went all-in on intentionally blazing my own path, shit started to click (even if it didn’t always feel like things were working).
One Major Lesson You Need to Hear
The major lesson I’ve learned from experience and from my hundreds of conversations with podcast guests is this: There’s NO one-size-fits-all creative career path.
The “typical route” of freelancing or selling merch AREN’T your only options—they’re just options.
It’s all on you to find what works best for you in your process that aligns with:
What you want to accomplish
Who you want to become
It’s a non-stop, ever-evolving, experiment.
I’ve been a constant, chaotic work-in-progress since graduating in 2010.
I’ve always tried new things that caught my interest to see where they took me.
Learning to fail constantly and to trust my gut has freed me up to attempt the next thing.
Where you’re at right now and what you dream of becoming could radically differ from the incredible shit you’re gonna accomplish in the future.
That’s the beauty of investing in your dream and going all out to blaze your own path.
Which Scenario are You Living Out?
Maybe you’re just now finding the guts to get started, or you've been doing this for a while but haven’t seen much progress?
If so, one thing that helped me get on the fast track for growth—that I now teach my students from the get-go—is being intentional with your creative dream.
It’s cool to explore and have fun, but if you want to build a career from your creativity, you gotta start taking yourself more seriously.
There’s a big difference between:
Scenario 1: Winging it each day and creating when it feels good hoping that something big happens for you.
Scenario 2: Intentionally and authentically approaching your creative dream with a personalized gameplan that’s unique to you and your dreams.
The latter is what I teach.
Being Intentional With Your Creative Dream
When onboarding student applicant prospects for the Coaching Program, I invite them to a free, 1-on-1 Dream and Scheme Consultation Call. This call is hella intense to see if the program is the right fit for them during this season.
During this call, we go hella deep on:
Discovering the fears, doubts, and insecurities holding you back from chasing the future version of yourself and the badass goals you want to accomplish.
Tapping into your Sweet Spot (intersection of your greatest passions and strengths) and Finding Your Secret Sauce (1. stories and experiences, 2. strengths and skills, 3. core identity: interests, passion, beliefs, and values)
Crafting a powerful personalized gameplan around a passion project
Leveraging that passion project to cultivate disciplines on overcoming the inner critic, consistency, growing an engaged audience, attracting clients, promoting yourself, and more.
Laying the foundation for rapid short-term growth which leads to long-term success
If they’re a good fit, we do the damn thing and get started.
Within three months, this coaching group will show you how intentionally pursuing your creative dream puts you on the fast track for unlocking those breakthroughs that always felt out of reach.
Do the Hard Work By Investing in Yourself
Some of the most uncomfortable and hardest work you’ll ever do is getting to know yourself better.
Captain Obvious here, but the more you invest in your personal development (physically, mentally, and spiritually), the more the quality of life and creative pursuits will improve.
I’m a big believer that opportunities and money will exponentially come your way as a byproduct of you continually:
Gaining clarity and confidence along your path (despite the moments of doubt and adversity).
Finding your unique voice, style, approach, and offerings.
Investing in your own personal growth and development.
Establishing authority and credibility by showing up.
Serving and making an impact on those who are an ideal fit for what you do.
The more you know about yourself, the easier it is to find what works for you as you blaze your own path to creative success.
If you’re riding the momentum from Part 1 and Part 2, Part 3 is going to put a fiery and punchy cherry on top.
We’re closing this series on how to attain a pro mindset while taking massive, uncomfortable action to manifest that creative dream of yours.
Stay tuned.
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Credits
Music - Blookah
Executive Assistant - Paige Garland
Photo & Video Specialist - Colton Bachar
Social Media Coordinator - Hannah Schick
Animation Specialist - Greg D'Amico