PP 217: Blaze Your Own Creative Path on Your Own Terms
Blazing Your Own Creative Path
I have a fiery episode for ya today!
Nerd alert! The episode artwork allowed me to complete this series featuring the 4 OG Pokemon starters.
I saved the best for last today with my favorite starter, Charmander. If you want to peep out the others, go back to epsisodes 204 for Squirtle, 206 for Pikachu, and 209 for Bulbasaur.
Let’s get down to business…
I’ve learned in my 11-ish years of grinding on the side post-college there is no “one-size-fits-all” creative career path.
The American Dream fed to our parents and grandparent’s parents isn’t so “safe” and “reliable” these days.
I used to try and follow my idols’ footsteps in the realms of art, design, podcasting, speaking, etc.
What worked for them had to work for me, right?
However, following someone else’s path only made me feel like an unfulfilled and unsuccessful version 2.0 of them.
Instead, I decided to bet on myself and do things my way OUTSIDE a day job, family, and life responsibilities.
That’s what blazing your own path is all about:
Making moves on your own terms.
Being patient and NOT seeking shortcuts.
Staying focused with your eyes on the prize.
My goal with this episode (and everything I put my touch on) is to put you in a position to do your thing full-time one day.
Make Moves on Your Own Terms
You don’t need anyone’s permission to build something for yourself.
Often, we’re waiting for this mystical external source to shower us with validation and enlightenment that it’s OK to take some action.
Waiting never leads to action.
Never taking action = never seeing progress.
Never seeing progress leads to becoming a Bitter Betty and Jealous Jake—resenting those who do take action and see the progress they’ve been grinding toward.
Stop waiting. Stop hiding. Stop overthinking.
Start doing.
Be Patient & Don’t Seek Shortcuts
Building something for yourself that’s MORE than a hobby is an endless, ever-evolving grind.
Radical breakthroughs don’t happen overnight.
Microwaveable results don’t exist—this isn’t a $1 value frozen Salisbury steak dinner for your breakthroughs.
There are levels to this shit like a video game—beating the in-game quests, mini-bosses, and main bosses parallel your creative pursuits.
In order to unlock new levels, you have to get out of your way and take uncomfortable, consistent action.
However, unlike video games, there are no cheat codes.
There's a big learning curve to each level; you have to slowly scale shit and take yourself/your craft more seriously.
Two important things to ALWAYS keep top of mind:
You’re not supposed to have it all figured out right away.
You’re supposed to suck when trying something new.
That’s why there’s power in leveraging your day job to fuel your dream job.
It takes the pressure off your hustle, so you can experiment and enjoy the climb.
Be patient with yourself—you can’t cheat the process!
Stay Focused With Your Eyes on the Prize
As you blaze your own path, life is going to distract you with shiny objects and curveballs.
There are going to be plenty of days you want to quit…
But you’re a winner, and winners don’t quit!
This is why it’s important to:
Base your pursuits on something you enjoy and are good at (to help you push through).
Chase a big target/vision that keeps you hungry/motivated (tied to a BIG ‘Why’).
Create a like-minded community that becomes your support system.
Build the habit of showing up when it’s not convenient (don’t be a hobbyist).
Learn when to rest so you can fight another day.
Make pursuing your creative dream a non-negotiable mindset.
When you make your dreams non-negotiable, temptations and adversity simply will become obstacles you navigate instead of being derailed and defeated by them.
Keep your eyes on the prize…
Stay in the trenches with focused, short-term actions that align with your bigger picture.
It’s easier to win in the micro when we keep the macro top of mind.
Bet Big on Yourself
Bet BIG on yourself.
Don’t treat yourself like a penny stock and hope things magically take off with minimum effort...
Instead, OWN you’re undervalued premium stock that’s set to go parabolic because of your efforts.
Blazing your own creative path isn’t supposed to be easy.
If it were, everyone would be slaying their creative dream full-time, and the term “starving artist” wouldn’t exist.
Remember to always stay in the game, pace yourself, and rest when needed—but never quit.
All of this together will put you in a position to do your thing full-time one day on your own terms!
Best Deals on top Design Resources
G.A.R.M. Co. - Use PIZZA20 for 20% OFF premium courses, brushes, textures, and fonts. Shop here.
Engaged Community Guide - A FREE guide for growing an audience around you and your work. Download here.
Happy Money Course - Generate passive income by transforming your artistic passion into a digital product. Enroll here.
The Lettering Pricing Handbook - A handbook and video series helping letterers get paid their worth. Purchase here.
Lauren Hom’s Classes - Use PERSPECTIVE10 for 10% OFF Lauren’s premium classes. Shop here.
Design Cuts - Download your FREE Ever-Expanding design resources bundle pack. Download here.
Note - These are affiliates meaning a small portion of your purchase goes back into supporting the growth of the podcast.
Credits
Music - Blookah
Executive Assistant - Paige Garland
Photo & Video Specialist - Colton Bachar
Social Media Coordinator - Hannah Schick
Animation Specialist - Greg D'Amico