Tricky question - what fundamental thing does everyone need in order to achieve their ambitions? Rich parents? That can certainly help. But the real answer, as simple as it may seem, is progress. Prioritize Progress No matter who you are or what you're striving for, progress is the one thing capable of keeping every human's mind focused on the pursuit of a goal. It makes sense - our minds see everything through a logical lens... read more ›
405 reads
Jul
05
Jun
12
Shiny object syndrome is the insidious trap of constantly seeking out the next best thing, the newest gadget, the latest tool or platform to give us that extra edge in our work. Creators are particularly susceptible to this syndrome because we are wired to explore, discover, and experiment. We live in a culture that prizes innovation and encourages us to constantly push the boundaries of what is possible. The problem arises when this urge to... read more ›
435 reads
May
29
Whether we realize it or not, life happens. Interruptions and obstacles crop up: an implosion in your side hustle disrupts your day job, or a big challenge at your day job necessitates skipping creative work for several weeks in a row. 3-6 months can go by and the next thing you know, you can’t remember the last time you spent real time on your dreams. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to review... read more ›
652 reads
Jan
30
Do you have a ritual for setting intentions for the new year? If you've been following for awhile, you'll know I'm not a huge fan of resolution or even goals without an action plan. That's why I'm a huge fan of frameworks and habits which help turn intentions, ideas, and dreams into action plans. Those who have already read my book 'Creative Calling' will already be familiar with the IDEA framework. It serves as the... read more ›
582 reads
Apr
11
What would it feel like to put your creative ambition out into the world? To share your work with others? Creative expression is a fundamental piece of human health. The more you create, the closer you feel to the truest version of yourself. Tapping into your own unique creative mojo feels good, and it’s life sustaining. But it doesn’t stop when you finish the work. Putting your work out into the world is part of... read more ›
881 reads
Mar
07
Do you have a big dream, but you're having trouble making progress? There is one simple thing you can do to start moving, and re-train your brain to operate autonomously, prioritize joy. Once you make this contract with yourself to pursue joy on a regular basis, you start to create inertia. So how do you get started? Maybe you don't know what action to take? I believe that a hugely under valued element of the... read more ›
818 reads
Jan
17
We all want to be more productive, creative, fulfilled, ________ (fill-in-the-blank). There are an infinite number of ways to get there. Reading, listening to podcasts, and attending conferences are a few typical options, but there is no one-size fits-all solution. Listen to the Podcast In Creating Calling, I developed a simple image to help understand the relationship between mindset, habits and goals. I call it the creative pyramid. To reach a desired outcome, we need... read more ›
706 reads
Sep
06
Uncreated works of personal expression are at the top of everybody's bucket list. The thing, the business, the book, the project… how is it that the most important goals we have are commonly left unchecked when we kick the bucket? The time for excuses is up, and I believe that the ability to be self-directed and motivated is critical to a fulfilling creative career. Waiting for inspiration isn't a reliable way to create. Today I... read more ›
619 reads
May
27
Think of that ONE dream you’ve always imagined materializing. Are you getting closer to it every day? Or do you keep yourself from committing to it for fear of failure? Bestselling author, coach, visionary, and guest for today’s episode, Rachel Rodgers, shares her story, and how she built her multi-million dollar business, Hello Seven, after becoming a lawyer, working for state and federal judges, non-profits, and even Hillary Clinton. Rachel has been featured in global... read more ›
488 reads
Apr
12
Recently I joined photographers Ben Von Wong and Tim Tadder, along with hosts Walid Azami and Mathieu Young on Clubhouse to chat about "Things Photographers Spend Too Much Time Talking About". But this is not about photography widgets, lenses, and photo shoots. It's not even really specific to photography. This is about career choices. It's about following your heart. And of course - the title is tongue-in-cheek because it's actually about the stuff we don't... read more ›
421 reads