Is it time to upgrade your heroes?
Jay Clouse
Founder of Creator Science — helping creators get uncommon results. Studying others, running experiments, and sharing it all with 60,000+ readers!
As a 20-something, I was constantly looking up to other exceptional 20-somethings. Tech guys like Mark Zuckerberg (yikes), musicians, the Forbes 30 Under 30 list...
It gave me a lot of drive! It fueled my ambition.
"If these people can do this at my age...why can't I?"
And that was the attitude. It was a frustrated, "Why can't I?" vs. an optimistic, "I can too!"
So it actually brought me a lot of frustration and unhappiness. Expectations were constantly escalating, I was constantly thinking about the next achievement, and NOTHING happened fast enough.
That tension really did help me to get where I am...but at what cost? And was that cost necessary?
Lately, I've changed a lot of the voices I listen to. I'm listening to more people like Elizabeth Gilbert, Debbie Millman, and Austin Kleon – artists and creatives who are deeper into their lives and careers.
And even though they are even?further?ahead than a lot of the exceptional 20-somethings I was modeling myself after...I find so much more peace and happiness in hearing from them.
When they speak about the beginning of their career, they often speak of it like it was both a total loss and fairly insignificant. Of course, every experience we have builds us – but hearing stories of people who weren't "crushing it" in their 20s is so much more reassuring.
"Oh wait. I don't have to have it all figured out yet...and I can still end up with the life I'm working towards!"
Not only that, but my new heroes seem happier. They take things slower. And they have more obligations! Kids, a mortgage, sometimes even looking after their own parents...
And that's?much?healthier for me to model, because that's what I want! I want a family. I want hobbies. I want to?live?more than I work.
When your heroes are workaholics on accelerated timelines...you tend to create the same experience. And that doesn't make allow for much of that living stuff.
You have no idea what nightmares and headaches other people face. It's pretty likely that someone who is absolutely excelling in one area is also failing their own expectations in another. Is that the model you want to look to?
I've been upgrading my heroes to people who embody the fullness of a human experience that I aspire to. Good people living full lives. People sharing stories that?aren't?directly applicable to the work I'm doing today.
And even if it "slows me down," it sure does seem to make for a better journey.
If you liked this,?subscribe to my Sunday edition of Creative Companion.
#80: Lauren Hom [Play] – How turning your work into play turns into my clients and more opportunities
Lauren Hom?is a designer and hand lettering artist based in Detroit (formerly New York & Los Angeles).
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Lauren is known for her bright color palettes and playful letterforms. She has created work for clients like Starbucks, Google, AT&T, YouTube, and TIME Magazine. Her work has been recognized by Communication Arts, the Type Directors Club, and the Webby Awards.
Lauren is also the author of the popular blog and book?Daily Dishonesty. She finds that she's happiest when creating; so, when she's not working, you can find her baking yummy things, selling your ex-boyfriend's tears, or putting bread on her head.
In this episode, we talk about Lauren’s experience getting (and leaving) her dream job, what she took away from her time at an ad agency, how she grew?her Instagram account?to 250,000 followers, and why her instinct to bring play into her work has helped her find new clients and new opportunity.
Thanks for reading! I hope you're enjoying these pieces every week, and I love hearing feedback! Whether you comment it below or send me a DM here on Linkedin, you're always welcome to tell me what you think.
And if you have questions about how to grow your own creative platform, let's hear them! They may inspire future pieces.
Cheers,
Jay
Hey, I'm Jay Clouse! And I'm here to help you find?creative independence.
Most of my creative energy is directed towards my podcast,?Creative Elements, and my newsletter,?Creative Companion.
I've created a number of courses and?workshops?including my best-selling?Podcast Like The Pros?and my?Freelancing School Course Bundle.
I want to support YOU on your own journey to creative independence.
The path is long, but you can do it. And I'll be right there by your side, encouraging and inspiring you the whole way.
Writer, Author and Teller of stories. I help individuals and organizations craft their unique, compelling stories and deliver them to their respective audiences.
3 年Don't have heroes; be your own hero.
TEFL Certified Business English Instructor/ EFL Teacher/ Consultant
3 年Love what you've shared Jay!! It reminds me of a verse in the Bible in Ecclesiastes 9: 11 '"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, not the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all."
Geek History Storyteller | Music Fanatic | Geek Speak Simplifier | Buzzword Buster | Grandpa
3 年Jay Clouse You have a way of always sharing an interesting perspective on things, now including your view of heroes. I wouldn't say I'm upgrading my heroes, but now,?adding to the list. It's amusing how many of things I learned as a youth that have a different perspective now.?While I've always admired the famous geeks, through my quest to learn more I've discovered so many forgotten geeks.?I've discovered so many new heroes, many pioneers of science and technology who have been overlooked by our history books. It's interesting some of things you mention, like workaholics on accelerated timelines for example.?Yea, so many of the famous geeks fall into that category. But many of the forgotten geeks often developed new ideas for the "love of the game," without seeking fame or fortune. Yes, they are my heroes.
Professionnel en Marketing Communication
3 年cool ! It's so passionate. I like it. Thanks a lot for sharing this .
Partner at Vegan Street Media
3 年My vegan business heroes are people like Seth Tibbott from Tofurky, Miyoko Schinner from Miyoko's Creamery and Bob Goldberg and his partners from Follow Your Heart. These pioneers have been at it for for decades, overcoming tremendous obstacles and showing amazing tenacity in the face of setback after setback until finally becoming hugely successful. They have provided the model that I am working to emulate.