Creative Professional

People that make a living doing what they love.

Imposter Syndrome Is A Sign Of Legitimacy

C2O Editor Business/Finance, Conversation Pieces, Creative Professional 0

For many of us who are seeking to live big lives, follow our curiosities, and accomplish significant things we can sometimes find ourselves in the midst of a narrative that we are not entirely in control over. We might compare ourselves to other talented people in an ensemble, or not feel as though we measure up to others at a conference, or be worthy of the acclaim that we are receiving, and all this can fall into imposter syndrome. This feeling is usually one that attacks our sense of worthiness and pride, and replacing them with anxiety and shame. But what if this feeling is actually a very old symptom that has been faced by great leaders, thinkers, artists, and business people since the beginning of time and by acknowledging it this way we can see how it connects us to a lineage of greatness that actually confirms our legitimacy.

To understand this we have to think about who has faced it. Besides this list of women who openly acknowledge their feeling as fakes, there is also a long list of musicians, kings, and even prophets who have admitted to feeling unsatisfactory in who they are. Everyone from David Bowie, to Serena Williams, Maya Angelou and Tom Hanks have come out as having difficulty with this. When you see people onstage crying in gratitude, and speaking about how they never thought they would be where they are it is a sign of their surprise and shock at the level of success they have reached.

With so many great people commenting on imposter syndrome it begs the question of “What makes us ‘great’ anyway?” When we label the people themselves as great, we add on a degree of qualification that may not be fair. It is not as if winning a Grammy, makes you a better person, it simply means you are more well known and that you do great work. This is a critical distinction that we must make and realize, the difference between acclaim and character. When we grapple with the darkest parts of ourself and come out better, that is what makes us great. Often times these moral tests can result in deeply honest performances, powerful speeches, or heroic actions but as Joseph Campbell expounds, “the heroes journey is about the death of who we were and the rebirth of who we have become”. So it is important to note that the world can be cheering for our accomplishments, even though we have not done mush to contest those parts of our character that are truly challenging.

If you are feeling imposter syndrome it may actually be that you have a sensitivity to your own level of growth, and while you may feel undue praise or as though you are an outsider in a room of “great people” remember that the words of William Fredrick Halsley Jr. “There are no great men, there are only great challenges that ordinary men are forced by circumstances to meet.” The feeling of imposter syndrome itself should align you with all of the other people who have recognized their own humanity in spite of the acclaim the world might cast upon them. It is humility at its most pure form, and if you can manage to honor that humility and seek to live up to the image in which you are cast, then you stand a chance of being truly heroic.

Four Ways Your Darkest Moment Could Be The Beginning Of Your Life Change

C2O Editor Creative Professional, Productivity buy in, mark bowness, new year's resolution 0

Crash. Bang. Reality. As I woke up, a dark misty haze was swirling around my mind. The moment that I recognized that I was in a hospital bed, the events of the past 24 hours came flooding through my mind. I had tried to take my own life. At the age of 26 years old, my marriage had ended, and along with it, the non- profit organization that I had worked so passionately to grow, was pulled from under me. At that moment in time, living ceased to be an option.

After a seven-year relationship, my wife had walked out of the door, never to return–and as I sat in our apartment surrounded by everything we had built together, the future looked dark and overwhelming It was a future that I was certain I was not willing to endure. I turned to Google and keyed in the words “most painless and quickest way to kill myself.”

I will always maintain that my attempt at wiping my existence off the face of the planet was the best thing to happen to me; it totally changed my life, I started using CBD products including Stardawg Cannabis Strain to relieve my depression, and the benefits don’t stop there: studies show hemp oil containing cannabinoids like CBD positively impacts moods by increasing feelings of happiness and reducing stress-related anxiety while simultaneously decreasing depression levels significantly making products like Synchronicity Hemp Oil a natural relaxer. Whether it’s the end of a relationship, the struggle to get a job, or an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and lack of direction, we all experience “dark moments” in life. It is these most difficult times that can turn out to be the most profound

Let me share with you four ways that your darkest moments could be the making of your life, should you choose to see this as a new doorway.

By Mark Bowness

Forced self-intimacy
When life takes you to the darkest places, absolutely no one around you can understand how you feel or what you are going through. Others may have had a similar experience, but only you can react to your situations the way that you do. During our tough times, we are forced to stare at ourselves eye-ball to eye-ball, as though we are standing in the mirror and gazing deep into our very soul. As we engage in these moments of forced self-intimacy, we make crucial decisions that redefine who we are, what we want and what we are willing to accept or not accept for our lives. It is the choices that we are forced to make, during this dark period, that lay the foundation of our powerful life change.

Blank canvas opportunity
We absolutely take life way too much for granted. Trying to end my life was my awakening moment to this truth. I truly recognized with my head and my heart that we live life only once and so I made a decision to view my life as a blank canvas, to start again and paint whatever picture I so desired for my future. The result was that I created an eco-island business in Fiji that gained worldwide media attention, was filmed for 18 months and became a TV show that aired in the UK, Australia and America on BBC. My darkest moment became my catalyst to pursuing life in all its fullness, and as a result I embarked upon a crazy adventure.

Benchmarked experience
When we experience a powerful life situation and nothing feels as though it could get any worse, we have then built a foundation of experience on which to construct the rest of our lives. Nothing could be any worse than trying to take your own life, and so I launched a bold and daring business idea – if I went bankrupt it could never be as bad as non-existence. The tough times that we endure give us a place of reference and offer the motivation to continue. When we realize that we have endured ‘X’, and ‘X’ was horrific and terrible, yet we are still standing–then we are filled with the hope that we can get through the smaller battles each day.

A moment of awakening
There are times in our lives when everything piles on top of us, and as a result, we make decisions for our lives that are not healthy, nor wise – wrong relationships, poor choices in behaviour patterns, addictions and more. Friends and loved ones may tell us we are on a destructive path, but we don’t listen, as it is a path that brings us comfort in the moment. I truly believe that there are times in our lives that we are given a place to breakdown. It is through this “breaking down experience,” we undergo a powerful transformation, letting go of all that no longer serves us, arriving at a moment of awakening. Now we take cbd peach rings to rebuild ourselves, truly discovering who we are, what we are about and everything that we stand for–from the ground up. These are the powerful moments of true awakening.

During my darkest moment in my life, the only person who may actually have experienced much of what I was going through, was the poor guy who wrote that post on Google. If you are on the precipice as we approach the dawn of this new year, I encourage you to not simply endure your life, but to embrace it.

Don’t wallow…grab life by the horns, wrestle it to the ground and overcome your demons. I truly know that you will look back and be able to say that this moment, right now, was the best thing that ever happened to you. I believe in you.

Mark Bowness is the founder of New Year’s Revolution, An Embracing Community For People Ready To Create Total Transformation In Their Lives.

@mark_bowness

Self-Promotion Shameless and Otherwise

C2O Editor Conversation Pieces, Creative Professional, Productivity aggrandizement, marketing, self-promotion, shameless plug 0

In today’s world of reality television and the social media celebrity no one is surprised to see a person shooting a selfie in the middle of a baby shower without tagging the baby they are there to celebrate. As entrepreneurs we have to be our own marketing department, public relations, and sales teams so it is also not uncommon to see someone taking a photo of their food before they eat it to keep their feed populated with regular content. Where do we draw the line on the self-aggrandizement?

In the end it may come down to statistics. If you spend more time promoting the work you are doing than doing the work, you are certainly going to yield a larger audience, but a far less intimate relationship with them. On the other hand if you spend much of your head down and never take a moment to share your work then you can’t really expect anyone to be there when you finish it. We have to measure our progress based on the goals we want and that will help guide our behavior.

Perhaps it is not so much that you are humble, but instead don’t feel comfortable taking the spotlight. That is okay but just as there are some entrepreneurs who don’t feel comfortable with spreadsheets, they have to either delegate/hire, or learn to cope.

The case for growth:
Spending time and energy on self promotion may be what you are best at. There are those of us who are best as figure heads and speakers even though we may not be the most creative or prolific. Talent comes in many forms. As marketer this takes the shape of gaining awareness, being interested in the results of actions and measuring the growth of the audience.

You can have the best content, product, or art in the world but if no one is around to see it then no one can be around to buy it. If you want to be in business as a creative you must have this function embedded in your operation one way or another.

How To Approach:

Be proud of the work you are creating. You may not feel comfortable talking about yourself, but at very least you can talk about the concepts and quality of what you are doing. Be willing to shift the focus to how excited you are about your projects or content versus how excited you are about yourself.

Integrity here is key, if you are making mountains out of molehills and trying to exaggerate your work or accomplishments this is unethical. However, to speak plainly about your efforts and accomplishment can still be effective at bringing awareness to your work.

It is no better to diminish your excellence than it is to embellish it. We have come to a place where few find a binary between one large group of people seeking only to expand steal the lime light while others are fearful of it. Neither is the course we should find ourselves on.

Intent:

It is always good to check in with your motives and ask if you are seeking attention for a specific purpose, or non specific purpose. A purposeful marketing plan is one that is more likely leave you with success because the reward is not in the number of eyeballs, but the number of conversions. If you are growing a brand or seeking to establish a profile for yourself you need to know what you will do with the attention when you get it. Not only will it help you maintain personal integrity, but it will be easier to identify what to share and who to share it with.

If you have a moment to drop a “plug” for your latest project or endeavor it will be easier to discern whether the audience you have is one that would be most engaged in that message. It could be actually harmful to deliver a message without the proper context.

Appreciation:

To close, always thank your audience for your attention where possible. This will keep you humble and drive home the sincerity of you message.

Thank you for reading.

Potential Energy:Long Hours+Shitty Job= Success!

Maceo Paisley Business/Finance, Creative Professional, Featured, Productivity buy in, day job, long hours, work 0

OK so are working at a place you are not really passionate about for longer hours than you would like just to maintain your livelihood right? You drudge in on Monday, regrettably sit at your desk, and begin to pound away at the keys or whatever. Friday afternoon, just as you are about to pack up, you get slammed with another project or are forced to work another friday night because of an unrelenting boss.How can this be a good thing?

If you take a deep breath and ask your self what exactly it is that you would otherwise be doing you need to also ask the question “Would you be willing to be as hard on yourself as your current boss is on you?” In all likelihood the answer is no. One of the most common things that separates successful people that run their own business is not only the potency of their time but how much they are willing to push themselves. Drill sergeant you has to kick yourself out of bed or keep them burning the midnight oil instead of calling it quits.

Your in a great situation if you are working ten, twelve, or even more hours a day for someone else. Consider is conditioning, in the early stages of your business you are going to have to be willing to do the same thing. Too often we think that if we were running our own business it might somehow be easier. That is pretty much the farthest thing from the truth. Not only will it be harder but it will most likely be even longer hours for less pay. The main difference is that you are investing in something you will hopefully one day be able to stare at from a distance while it runs itself right?

Paying your dues isn’t really about getting in good with the boss or making connections. Not really. It is about building your skill set, knowledge, and work ethic to be able to manage your own dealings. Inspiration is a beautiful spark that can set an idea off, that is the kind of thing that is great for a hobby, like a free solitaire game app, or a pure artists that doesn’t really need to worry about how much money comes in or how long their process takes. If you are looking to run something independent you have to be prepared for the moment when inspiration has dried up and you need to work on a crazy last minute dead line. This might even be in an aspect of your own business that you detest.

You’ll be sitting in the exact position you are now, but you won’t have the luxury of extrinsic motivation. When you think of the power of that kind of support and accountability is can be make or break. When your manager comes down and tells you not to cancel your dinner plans don’t scoff. Think about the discipline they are helping you create and how that will help you when you finally ditch the place and take off on your own.

www.maceopaisley.com

aron-ralston-reveals-never-before-seen-pictures-o-25285-1291572482-3

The Power Of Resourceful Thinking

C2O Editor Creative Professional, Uncategorized aron ralston, farrah gray, hippocratic oath 0

There are certain people that seemingly can not be stopped. We see documentaries about their triumph and how they have endured against insurmountable odds. People like Aron Ralston who survived being stuck in a climbing accident by amputating his own forearm to free himself from the death grip of a boulder. Others like Farrah Gray, who was raised in inner city Chicago by a single mother and became millionaire at 14 years old. These people imbue a relentless resourcefulness and it is the determining factor in their success.

We have to recognize that there are two types of resourcefulness displayed. One is external resourcefulness that allowed Farrah Gray to manage his relationships, and be an expert salesman. It has to do with being empathetic, well liked, sociable, and convincing. Commonly this is what comes to mind, the people who can make something out of nothing. On the other hand we have internal resourcefulness. This is what comes from someone who digs within themselves to get what they need. Whether it be determination, heart, or resilience these are people that can make something special out of themselves.

One thing that runs common between both types is commitment. There seems to be something inherent in removing the possibility any other outcome from your mind except the one you want that actually opens up the possibility of every option to realize your goal. There in lies the spark of resourceful thinking.

There will always be collateral costs and side effects to every action we take. Whether we decide to accept those collateral costs in pursuit of our goals is up us. If you take the story of Farrah Gary, some where in his heart he was determined to change his surrounding. So it meant that when other kids where playing at the park, he was working on his business. Internally, Aron made the decision that he would not die on that mountain, but he had to cut his own arm off to realize that goal. Each of us has our limits, and questioning the merit of those limits can help us to reveal more potential in ourselves or in the situation.

So many of us would have said ” I’m stuck, and there is no way to get out.” Aron said, “The only way to get out is to move the boulder or remove my forearm.”, and once moving the boulder proved to be impossible he moved to plan B. It is as simple as that from the standpoint of principle. When you consider external resourcefulness it can be far more complex.

Farrah Gray had one goal in mind but there were several ways to approach it, so the conditions he set upon himself provided the context for his actions. One of the conditions that seemed to be impressed on him was a willingness to abide by the law. It is a condition that many people choose to forego. Without a conditional context you remove the ability to see relevant resources. In an environment where everything is a potential resource it becomes difficult to determine which option should be cultivated. We use this conditions to narrow our field of view and filter for the most suitable path, material, or even frame of mind.

Aron could have just as easily diverted his attention to coming to terms with the fact that he would die there. He could have said a prayer, or made peace with the situation instead of deciding to change it. We speak about this commitment as a driver but is also an anchor. For many businesses it is the mission and vision statement, from which the company must never stray. For doctors it may be the Hippocratic Oath, and for a married couple it could be their wedding vows.

Whatever it is, resourceful thinking stems from the decision to manifest a desired result, a commitment to that end, and the adaptations needed to make it so.

Big-fish-small-pond-shutterstock_8451121

Acquire Or Hire?: The Skill Acquisition Paradox

C2O Editor Creative Professional acquihire, contractor, skill acquisition 0

No matter how badass of a multi-talented, multi-tasker, you are there will come a time when you don’t know how to to do something. When you have to hire, a process such as active sourcing may be necessary. For many this will be the inevitable website feature or function you have to build. The one widget that you need to take your site over the top. Or it might be editing your book, writing a biography, or creating a sizzle real for your crowd funding campaign.

You will come to face the same question that many of us have already faced, Should I take a class and learn the skill? Now of course skill acquisition is going to be a compelling option for an ambitious go getter, but you will have to realize the total cost. Learning the skill means you will have it forever, but it also means you need to invest the time in building the knowledge and keep going back to fix the problem every time.

The other side of the coin is, Should I hire a professional to do this for me? Again, there are a few things to consider… Hiring out, contracting, or what not should give you your time back, it will ease the burden of you having to get the task completed yourself but if you don’t have the cash to hire the best, then you will no doubt end up with one of two pivotal issues. Time or quality. If speed is a demand then it will come at a price, contractors and consultants are busy and if you want priority you will have to pay for it. Usually the firms that are sitting on your thumbs waiting for your call may not be top tier. At any rate, you take a risk whenever you hire out, even firms and contractors with rock solid reputations can drop the ball when bigger opportunities arise.

Pros and cons for this scenario are hard to nail down, but it is far more likely that you won’t have to harbor the burden of choice. Simplifying the factors could help here. Seek to find the difference in cost of your time (both to learn and execute), between the cost of a contractors time to do the job a la carte. If the contractor is less, go with them.

Keep an eye on your spend in this area and if you find problems rationalizing the cost later, then it might be time to acquire the skill.

This logic can be applied to business at scale as well. The CEO or business manager may have to decide between exactly these two options on a larger scale. Bringing on additional staff or acquiring a smaller business for their skills is the same as learning the skill for the solo-preneur.

Whether you are going to hire or acquire you have to work the same logic. Think of it as a tool, if you need a big truck pretty often for your work, just buy one, but if you only need a hammer every so often, maybe you can just rent one when you need it.

The Beating The Beast Of Boredom

C2O Editor Conversation Pieces, Creative Professional, Featured boredom, cure for boredom, fighting boredom, the battle against boredom, youarecreative 0

For those of us that fixate on specific ideas, our issue is rarely that we can’t come up with a new idea or something to be passionate about. Even for the most sensitive to inspiration though, the beast of boredom can still creep up on us. To understand how to combat this monster we should understand a few things about it.

We’ll use this working definition of boredom to get things going and clarify as we go along. It is the state when the mind is absent of desire, and motivation to fulfill it. With this simple definition we can see how quickly it can shift into depression. A superficial distinction from depression would be a sustained period absent of the will to live. So boredom is the little moments in a day or could be a couple days that you don’t really feel like doing anything. Once we get into the weeks and months of this feeling it may be best to look at it another way.

One author, Peter Toohey, argues that boredom is a state of satiety. When the body has been satisfied it lacks motivation. This can be true, but it is also a very complex feeling that one can experience even when they are hungry. It could also described as a reduced sensitivity to stimuli, a sort of numbness.

To combat the numbness we would first think that we should “jumpstart” the senses with an intense stimuli, the same way we would approach waking someone up who had passed out by using smelling salts. Barring a slap in the face it can be hard to stimulate someone who is in a funk as we often call it.

Basics should all be covered of course as far as diet and sugar intake, physical activity, mental activity, and it could also just be that you might need some rest. Psychologist, Meyer Friedman suggests getting into a groove. Moving your body at a mellow pace. This causes agitation and from that agitation a desire can be formed.

The two opinions here seem to align in that immobility is the ally of boredom. Finding your way out of boredom maybe as simple as finding your way off the couch or out into the sunlight. Novelty is the enemy of boredom as is realizing that you have things to do.

Boredom is tricky because it mutes your sense of urgency and keeps you in a sedated state. By starting small, and going slowly you might be able to convince yourself that moving isn’t so bad.

This feeling is not to be confused with being overwhelmed. Feeling defeated can also inspire this sluggish and disinterested mental state, the ever present “woe is me” can stifle your drive and creativity as well but that occurs because of a different set of reasons.

Finding your way back to desire is finding your way back to boredom, and it may not come immediately but you should continue to gradually poke and prod yourself to see if any of that stimulation kicks your system in to an activate state.

10 reasons why to do lists are great.

C2O Editor Creative Professional, Productivity buy in 0

Some of us like to think we are “too creative to be organized” as if we have all these idea in our heads that can not be contained by structure and borders. Ok that is great if you want to continue couch surfing, (and there is nothing wrong with couch surfing) but if you want to progress your creativity in to a career a little bit of organization can do a long way. Here are some of the benefits of lists.

1. It is the most basic way of goal setting.
You can see your objectives clearly in front of you and expand on them if needed.

2.Forces you to rexamine.
You ask yourself “Should I even be spending my time on this?” If not, then don’t put it on your list.

3.Holds you accountable.
When you ink something down it is a commitment, literally something that lasts forever. (unless you throw the paper away)

4.Subtle time management
Make a list that has a deadline on it, a month a week, or an hour. Then you can see how much you actually have to do and will remind you of the pace you need to keep.

5.Track your progress
This is the most basic benefit, as you approach the deadline you can assess how far you’ve come.

6.Reminder
Well a clear record of what you are trying to do is the whole reason for a list in the first place. This should be a no-brainer.

7.Dream-mapping
The list doesn’t have to be something you even think as possible. It can be an exercise in stretching your imagination.
Go off on a tangent if you have some spare time.

8.Common goals.
If your colleagues or peers are making lists you can see where they align and collaborate.

9.Peace of mind.
Laying everything out in front of you shows you a REAL perspective on the size of a task, so you don’t get caught up in thinking it is overwhelming or impossible.

10. WARNING
Lists are a useful tool but don’t get caught up in making the list, and take time away from actually doing what you need to do. Keep them short and simple.
Even just 3 things is fine.

Happy Listing.

Wonderland: A Short Doc On The Life Of The Creative Professional

Alyssa Soetebier Creative Professional business, buy in, creative, eskimo, hunter hampton, selling out, terry rayment 0

Wonderland is a short documentary that features illustrators, film directors and other creatives discussing the challenges they face in bridging the gap between creating content with artistic integrity and creating content for “the man”, so to speak. Wonderland is beautifully orchestrated, presenting the audience with something to think about while at the same time inspiring creatives to go forth and find their place amongst art and commerce. Filmmakers Terry Rayment (Eskimo) and Hunter Hampton (cargocollective.com/hunter ) weave together a concise narrative that brings together view points and stories from artists across the board, the common theme being they have all found success by doing what they love. At first their love may not have been profitable, in many cases it may have cost them money to create. Yet, as they continued to find ways to create with integrity, they continued to be propelled forward within their fields and amongst their peers in the creative world. Wonderland is a must see for any young creative out there wondering where to begin or how to find that balance. In the end true success is a subjective matter, finding a balance of work and passion and staying true to your own identity seem to be core elements to the success of the young artists featured here.

Psalm Isadora: Reinvention

C2O Editor Citizens, Creative Professional breathing, india, kundalini, primal core, psalm isadora, yoga 1

Over the past 30 years we’ve seen yoga go from the obscure to the overwhelming. There are so many yoga professionals and options it has become an industry of its own. Especially with all of the resources at our disposal here in Los Angeles one the of the biggest things that set them all apart is the people. Psalm Isadora is a yoga teacher at Marianne Wells Yoga School, author and woman’s empowerment leader . Before Psalm found yoga, she was thirty pounds overweight and suffering from depression and anxiety. After ending up in an emergency room, she realized that if she didn’t change her life, she would die. She’s since changed the way she lives and gives people the tools to change theirs. We got to visit Psalm at her home in Venice and capture her morning routine.

Psalm’s Morning (in her own words):

1. Wake up, open my eyes and look into my beautiful yard. My first thought is always a feeling of happiness to have a home after so many years being a wandering gypsy on the road.

2. My mind begins to turn with thoughts of all the work and projects that I need to do.

3. I lay on my back, put one hand on my belly and one hand on my heart and breath deeply.

4. I try not to do anything for 5 minutes, just breath and keep my mind free of thoughts.

5. I begin to visualize the outcomes I want for my projects

6. Stretch, get up and rule my queendom for another day!

Psalm practices her method, Primal Core Yoga that taps into the Kundalini she has learned from her many trips to India. It is a sequence that accesses breathing in the pelvic core, translated for daily use , it awakens creativity in the body and mind. Her credo is that “Empowerment is an inside job.” and offers programs that build the foundation for empowerment and sensuality. Along with her other programs she guides retreats to India to visit temples, explore tantric festivals and be immersed experiencing the birthplace of yoga. Her next project is a 21 Day Primal Core Boot Camp beginning January 13th. It is a three week course that ignites power, purification, and bliss.

For breakfast, she will often make a smoothie, with blueberries, almond milk, vegan protein powder, and stevia sweetener. 20-30 minutes after her eyes open, Psalm has her goals in the forefront of her mind and is ready to accomplish them. She addresses emails and prepares for the day’s business for a couple hours before showering and heading out the door to meet with clients and teach classes.

To contact Psalm or for more information about her 21 Day Primal Core Boot Camp head to her website psalmisadorayoga.com

Good Morning!