Podcasts about perspective collective

LEARN MORE ABOUT Scotty Russell: https://www.perspective-collective.com Fly Teddie Project: ► https://www.flyteddie.com INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/dpcreates TWITTER:: https://twitter.com/dpcreates SUPPORT THE SHOW! I would love to hear from you. Take a picture of the episode you're listening to and tag the podcast on Instagram or Twitter at @dpcreates, #pbtashow LEAVE AN ITUNES RATING AND REVIEW Share the show on social media or follow the Podcast Instagram Subscribe on your favorite podcast player: iTunes Stitcher Google Play Radio Overcast

Scotty Russell is an artist, designer, coach, podcaster, and speaker working under the name Perspective-Collective. He's also an outer space, pizza loving cat dad, AND human dad based in Cedar Falls, Iowa. After 5.5 years working of building his creative side hustle outside his Corporate Cubicle, he made the full-time shift to Side Hustle Coach in January 2020. His mission is to help creatives blaze their own path to side hustle success outside their day job through his weekly Perspective Podcast, Side Hustler's Coaching Program, and digital resources.LEVERAGE YOUR DAY JOB TO FUEL YOUR DREAM JOB:Join 12 weeks of group transformative coaching from Scotty Russell to launch your side hustle. Sign up for the Side Hustle Coaching Program waitlist.CONNECT WITH SCOTTY  RUSSELL:Follow Scotty Russell on InstagramConnect with Scotty Russell on LinkedInStay updated with the latest episodes from Perspective Collective Podcast LEVEL UP YOUR DESIGN CAREER (FREE EMAIL COURSE):Learn 7 proven strategies in 7 days to grow in your design career -https://levelup.designmba.show/

Oh hi there! Welcome back to another episode of ME time and thank you so much for tuning in. In this week's episode, we speak about all things journalism with Amy, the founder of The Perspective Collective, an online journalistic platform for young people. Topics covered include: how and why Amy started TPC, the pitching & editing process, the future of journalism as a whole, some issues rife within the media industry and much more. Whether you're interested in journalism as a future career prospect or just want to take some me time with us, we hope you love this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. Love, Maya and Emma x Mentioned: Millennial Love (podcast) Get Out (Prime) Pimm's (Sainsbury's deal) Follow us on Instagram: @theperspectivecollective @metime_podcast @mayasargent @fruitsandroutes

If you're looking for advice on how to turn your side hustle into your main hustle, our interview with Scotty Russell from The Perspective Collective won't disappoint. Scotty shares his inspiring story of how he started from rock bottom and built up a creative community and thriving business. Be sure to check out Scotty's mentorship programs and design products on his website and subscribe to his weekly podcast The Perspective Podcast  for added motivation to help you get through your weekly grind. About Scotty RussellScotty is an artist, designer, coach, podcaster, and speaker working under the name Perspective-Collective. He's an outer space, pizza loving cat dad, AND human dad based in Cedar Falls, Iowa.After 5.5 years building his creative side hustle outside his Corporate Cubicle, he took the leap and  made the full-time shift to Side Hustle Coach in January 2020.He's a graphic wizard, a mega-motivator, and marketing savant thats on a mission is to help creatives blaze their own path to side hustle success OUTSIDE THEIR DAY JOB.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/thevariabledesign)

Collective trauma is the term used to describe a shared emotional response to a devastating experience. This past year presented more than its fair share of traumatizing events. From COVID-related fear and grief to horror and outrage at race-related tragedies, our collective well-being has suffered in unexpected and overwhelming ways. While there are no easy resolutions to the trauma, we can take steps to heal ourselves and our communities. Sharing our stories helps us make meaning of events and this is key to healing collective trauma. Encourage organizations and community leaders to sponsor gatherings and memorials that acknowledge loss and validate suffering. Open forums and town halls build connection and can provide support. Allowing ourselves space to put “out there” what we feel “inside here” -- in our hearts and heads -- helps us gain perspective and make sense of what we’re feeling. Try journaling, talking to friends, or working with a counselor. We also need to re-claim power

BEST HITS | EPISODE 150 WITH CHRIS DO OF THE FUTURChris’s mission is to empower creatives to make money doing what we love without selling our souls through his educational platform called The Futur. You’ll find a goldmine of business, design, and inspirational resources to help you thrive on your creative grind (he’ll tell you more about this and where you can get more info on your own, after this episode of course).The content he and his team have dished out has amassed a global, loyal, and engaged tribe of over 600k on YouTube, 140k on The Futur’s IG, almost 200k on his personal IG, and 100k on Facebook.Do a few hand exercises to loosen up so you can rack up your notes because we diving deep on topics like:Setting BHAGS: Big Hairy Audacious GoalsBecoming the type of person who runs toward change instead of awayEmbracing failure as the tuition you pay for successBecoming known and remembered for somethingCreating for a bigger cause, being a disruptor, producing and polishing turds, and more.This episode is so much bigger than design, branding, increasing your rates, etc.This one is the epitome of why it’s called the Perspective Podcast because Chris is going to:challenge the lens through which you see the worldinject a TON of practical action steps to get you ten steps closer to where you want to be in life.Please share this one with your friends and family if you found value in it.

FULL SHOWNOTESTo view the full episode show notes, visit: https://www.perspective-collective.com/perspectivepodcast/195SPONSORVisit https://garmcompany.com/scotty and use code Pizza20 to take 20% off their premium textures, brushes, fonts, and courses. This even works on SALE items!---What I’ve Learned in My 1st Year of Doing Perspective-Collective Full-TimeBeing self-employed is super dope, but it’s also over-glorified and insanely hard.To be honest, most people aren’t cut out for it...and that’s okay!That’s why, today, I want to recap the top lessons I’ve learned in my first year of doing Perspective-Collective full-time.I’m going to keep this super raw and hella transparent—while, at the same time, planting seeds of hope and actions for you to slowly implement over time.That way, you can take the necessary steps to prepare for this venture if that’s what you want to pursue. So here are my top 11 Lessons to Survive & Thrive as a Self-Employed Creative.RESOURCES & REFERENCESBook: My Miracle MorningBook: The One ThingBook: EssentialismNotion App FREE Download: Engaged Community Guide ----GET A GLOBAL PODCAST SHOUTOUTBecome a future Listener of the Week by Subscribing and leaving a Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes here.FREE TOOLKIT TO SIDE HUSTLE FREEDOM6 FREE resources to help you grow an audience and build a profitable creative side hustle outside your day job. Download here.FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREONWith as little as your weekly cup of coffee, you can support the growth of this show by backing us on Patreon. JOIN THE PRIVATE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR CREATORSJoin a like-minded FREE global community of kickass creators and take your side hustle to the next level. Your family is waiting.PURCHASE THE SIDE HUSTLER’S HANDBOOK PDF COURSEThe proven framework that’ll help you gain clarity, confidence, and a mental edge to unlock your biggest side hustling breakthrough. Purchase here.BEST DEALS ON THE BEST DESIGN RESOURCES (Affiliates)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.LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCASTING APPApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercastYouTubeCONNECT WITH MEInstagramPodcast InstagramYouTubeTwitterTikTokPinterestCREDITSMusic  -  BlookahPodcast Editor  -  Aine BrennanExecutive Assistant  -  Paige GarlandPhoto & Video Specialist  -  Colton Bachar Social Media Coordinator  -  Hannah SchickAnimation Specialist  -  Greg D'Amico

2 Ways to Get Creatively Unstuck & Unlock Your Next Big BreakthroughYou Don’t Need Permission to Make Your Dream HappenAre you fed up with being creatively stuck?Are you ready to stop consuming and take massive action?If so, today’s episode is all about staying active and open on your creative grind, so you can get that breakthrough you’ve been wanting for a hot minute now.They’re the two catalysts for the type of success you deeply desire, and both have been pivotal for any type of creative biz breakthroughs I’ve had.My goal today is to get you creatively unstuck by getting you to:Stop seeking permission to make shit happen for yourself.Stay open to embrace uncomfortable change.Be prepared and ready for new opportunities to come your way.Pacing YourselfBefore we dive deep, I want to preface this upfront:Taking breaks along the way is hella important to avoiding burnout, staying out of creative funks, and throwing in the towel on your pursuits.Staying active is important, but so is pacing yourself—it’s a slow and steady grind when you’re working on your dream.Staying Active (and Patient)With that being said, staying active means consistency and taking initiative in my world.ConsistencyTo me, being consistent versus going hard AF in short bursts of intensity is far more beneficial.The latter leads to burnout and long gaps of inactivity (inactivity is horrible for building a name for yourself).Consistently showing up (even if it’s just 15 minutes to an hour a day) generates small wins and mini-milestones.When you string these W’s together, you generate momentum.Momentum over the years is what leads to those huge career-shifting breakthroughs.Taking InitiativeAn important reminder you may need to hear today is: You don’t need anyone else’s permission to chase what you want.If I had waited for permission to share my work, blog, speak, teach, podcast, or coach, I’d still be at a day job complaining about how unfulfilled and how broke I was.My biggest regret is not taking massive action sooner.If you’re creatively stuck right now, I encourage you to:Stop waiting for permission to make shit happen for yourself.Take the initiative to manifest your own opportunities.Create the work you want to see in the world.Hire yourself for the type of work you want to get hired to do.Share the message you’ve been too scared to share.No one is going to hand your dream to you, so it’s on you to make it happen.If you’re struggling to take the first step, try this effective, yet morbid exercise:Simply imagine yourself on your deathbed...yup.While you’re lying there, look back on this very moment of uncertainty.Is this going to be something you regretted never pursuing?That usually can help reframe the petty reasons holding you back from taking your shot.Staying OpenMaybe you’re in the position where you’ve been active, yet you’re seeing little-to-no traction over time?Or maybe you’re the type of person who is so dead set on one path that you’re missing the signs that you’re meant to do something else?Staying active is hella important, but staying open for unexpected opportunities, new relationships, and uncomfortable risks are the catalyst for shit to really pop off.It’s easy to get shiny object syndrome. You bounce around from one thing to the next without fully committing and giving the one thing that had promise time to grow during a season (aka niching down).It’s also easy to get so far pigeon-holed and too comfortable in what you’re doing that you’re blinded to the big opportunity in front of you.I’ve been on both sides of the fence over the years, but learning to actively embrace and welcome the unexpected is what surged my creative career forward—especially 2019 through 2020.Reminding People You ExistAfter an injury robbed me of my football career in college, I’ve been tirelessly searching for my identity as a creative.I pretty much have tried everything: drawing tattoos, starting a clothing brand, designing logos/branding, website design, calligraphy/wedding chalkboards, selling my own products/merch, creating digital goods, blogging, teaching, speaking, podcasting, affiliate marketing, and now coaching.Even when quitting seemed like the best option, I constantly stayed active and open to testing and experimenting with new creative paths until something stuck.When shit wasn’t popping off, I continued to share my work and push forward even if I didn’t have my style, voice, and groove mastered (which I still don’t today).Staying open and actively pursuing new opportunities to quickly fail, grow, and learn helped me:Remind people I existed because I consistently was sharing something creative.Build a name for myself and gain some clout as an artist/designer.Grow my side hustle to a full-time grind and build incredible relationships along the way.The Answers Are in Front of YouThe biggest thing I’ve learned over my 10 years of finding my groove after college and 6 years of doing Perspective-Collective is this:The more you consistently show up, take initiative, and stay open to the unexpected, the answers will reveal themselves over time.The answers will come in the form of opportunities, risks, and relationships that unlock the next level for you to conquer.It’s on you to show up when it’s not convenient, be aware of the signs/omens, and have the heart and guts to act in the direction your intuition is guiding you.Chase it On Your Own TermsYou don’t need someone’s permission to make shit happen in your life.Stay open to:Understanding when something isn’t working.Trying new avenues that make you uncomfortable.Finding new resources to learn and grow.Being challenged on the lens in which you view the world or a specific subject.Admitting that you’re not investing the effort to make your dream happen.Once you find the next path, take massive action with no regrets.Get that breakthrough you’ve been wanting but never gave yourself the chance to chase it.Free Toolkit to Side Hustle Freedom6 FREE resources to help you grow an audience and build a profitable creative side hustle outside your day job. Download here.Purchase The Side Hustler's Handbook PDF CourseThe proven blueprint that’ll help you gain clarity, confidence, and a mental edge to unlock your biggest side hustling breakthrough. Purchase here.Get a Permanent Podcast ShoutoutBecome a future Listener of the Week by Subscribing and leaving a Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes here.Best Deals on the Best Design ResourcesRetro Supply (affiliate)  - Use SCOTTY20 to get 20% OFF high-quality AI, PS, Procreate & Affinity resources. Shop here.Design Cuts (affiliate) - Get your FREE Ever-Expanding design resources bundle pack here.Join the Private Facebook Community for CreatorsJoin a like-minded FREE global community of kickass creators and take your side hustle to the next level. Your tribe is waiting.Connect With MeInstagramPodcast InstagramTikTokPinterestTwitterCreditsMusic  -  BlookahExecutive Assistant  -  Paige GarlandPhoto & Video Specialist  -  Colton BacharSocial Media Coordinator  -  Hannah SchickAnimation Specialist  -  Greg D'AmicoListen on Your Favorite Podcast PlayerApple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle PodcastsOvercast

Scotty Russell is a podcaster, coach, artist, designer, speaker, and pizza enthusiast. He is the Founder and Creator of Perspective Collective, a company focused on teaching others how to utilize their time and creativity to make their side hustle profitable. Scotty went from working as a graphic designer in his day job to starting his own company using the knowledge he learned as an artist and as an entrepreneur. In this episode… Having a side-hustle can be either liberating or extremely challenging, depending on your mindset and your goals. When your side-hustle has become a significant part of your life, it may be an indication to switch your focus and give it your full attention. Scotty Russell, owner and founder of Perspective Collective, is an excellent example of what happens when life takes an unfortunate turn with your nine to five, but your side-hustle has become its own thing.  In this week's episode of Pencil Kings, Mitch Bowler talks with fellow pizza enthusiast, artist, and podcaster, Scotty Russell, about the real possibility of turning your side-hustle into a business and how Scotty empowers artists to be entrepreneurs. Scotty also talks about the importance of investing in oneself and knowing what you want, and the 3 things that you need to have to achieve your goals. Stay tuned.

Mike Jones on Serving The Bigger Picture and Cultivating CommunityAre you tired of hearing me say that relationships are everything?Even if you are, I’m going to continue to beat this drum, especially in terms of getting out of your bubble and doing everything in your ability to attend a conference.I started doing some research on this thing called Creative South. I was a year into Perspective-Collective, and my audience was growing quickly...but I still felt stuck, and this conference felt like something that could give me a new spark (not to mention it’d get me out of Iowa).I came home from Creative South on fire and started my blog. It helped me find my voice and build some tiny amount of authority in the form of encouraging creatives. Little did I know, this spark would lead me to speaking on the Creative South big stage the next year.One of them more specifically was Mike Jones, who just so happens to be today’s guest. This man gave me the opportunity of a lifetime out of nowhere.  I don’t know where I would be had he not given me the call to speak well before I was ready.Mike is the definition of a side hustler. He not only runs Creative South (a highly renowned creative conference in the States) but also runs his own design studio called Serve Studio. If that isn't enough, he still has a day job, four kiddos, and an incredible wife named Karen.Take some notes as Mike and I are about to dive deep into:Event planning and focusing on the experienceServing the bigger picture and expecting nothing in returnCultivating community vs networking to leverage connectionsThrowing yourself into the fire and learning as you goWhat to expect from Creative South Conference 10 year reunion and moreShownotesConnect with Mike Jones: Instagram | Serve StudiosGet your Creative South tickets here!Download your FREE Side Hustler's Guide to FreedomGet your FREE audiobook download from AudibleJoin our Private Global Facebook Community of CreatorsListener of the Week: oliveandaugustdesigns_USAPodcast Editor: Aine BrennanShownotes Editor: Paige GarlandVideo Editor: Colton BacharPodcast music: Blookah—Want to Support the Show?Become a backer on PatreonLeave an Apple Podcast Rating and ReviewShare the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast InstagramSubscribe via your favorite podcast player:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Play MusicOvercast

Scotty Russell is a coach, creator, teacher and speaker under the name Perspective-Collective, out of the majestic cornfields of Cedar Falls, Iowa. He's a Side Hustle Coach helping creative build fulfilling and profitable side hustles out their day jobs. Scotty is also the host of the weekly Perspective Podcast which empowers and educates creative side hustlers and freelancers.   Notes: www.SideHustlersWarchest.com https://www.perspective-collective.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Prspctv_cllctv/  

Hellcats on Building Your Brand and Growing Your Audience Before Slanging MerchIt seems everyone and their grandma wants to start a clothing line or slang merch these days (I say this because I’m guilty of both).I get it, you want to see your work tangibly exist and find its way into the little nooks and crannies of this planet.It’s dope to manifest your idea in your noggin’ to something you can physically touch. However, when you’re just starting off, you gotta keep your expectations in check, as finding success in these realms takes far more work and time than you realize.Everyone wants the end results, but they don’t have the patience nor grit to put in the grind over time to tap into that success.If you’re a long-time listener, you know I’ll never sugar coat shit here. I don’t believe in fluff or telling you what I think you want to hear.You can’t just show up and put something into this world and expect people to buy it.Trust me, I’ve been there and have learned plenty of hard lessons.I spent 4 years building a clothing brand outside of college with my homie Dustin McLaughin aka DMAC aka Dusty Dink grassroots-style. We didn’t gain serious traction until year three.Sadly, long-term success wasn’t in the cards for us, but I learned a lot—it’s what spawned Perspective-Collective..Then two years into Perspective-Collective, I started slanging products on my own. I thought, because I had an Instagram audience of over 10k, that slanging 300 5x7” Change Your Perspective custom-lettered letterpress prints for less than $10 would be a breeze.I tied a meaningful story to it and built a whole launch around it including a dope, inspirational video DMac created for me...I’m still sitting on just under 100 of those left, and the majority of them I’ve gifted away to people.Selling your shit is hard work. It’s not impossible, but I feel there are solid guidelines and phases to work through in order to get to a point where people care enough to buy.Today’s guests have been in this creation game slanging their own knick-knacks and dope little trinkets for a hot minute now. They know how much time goes into gaining traction and the effort behind the scenes of running a business when everyone else just sees the fun of designing and prototyping through social media.I’m talking about my family over at Hellcats: a goods, accessories, and apparel brand ran by power duo Britt Reagan and hubby Clark Orr.All of their products are designed and packaged in-house in their Winter Park, FL. studio. In fact, they MAKE many of their products in their studio by their own damn hands and then sell wholesale to their hungry clients or online and at events to drooling creatives like you and me.If you struggle with building a cohesive brand or want to get started in the merch game, take notes as Hellcats goes deep into:How to inject cohesiveness and alignment in your brandBlending your interests, experiences, and skills togetherGrowing an audience before slanging merchShowing yourself in your workSupporting the homies, thriving under pressure, promoting yourself, pizza, and moreThis episode isn’t going to tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear to tap into that long-term success. Nothing happens overnight so use this as fuel for your longevity.ShownotesConnect with Hellcats: Instagram | Website | ShopUse PRSPCTV and save $25 off your Crop Conference TicketDownload your FREE Side Hustler's War ChestGet your FREE audiobook download from AudibleJoin our Private Global Facebook Community of CreatorsListener of the Week: JoshCrist_USAPodcast Editor: Aine BrennanShownotes Editor: Paige GarlandVideo Editor: Colton BacharPodcast music: Blookah—Want to Support the Show?Become a backer on PatreonLeave an Apple Podcast Rating and ReviewShare the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast InstagramSubscribe via your favorite podcast player:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Play MusicOvercast

The Phases of Your Creative Side Hustle...in My OpinionI want to preface this preface of today’s interview: I’m speaking solely from experience here on my philosophy on the phases of your side hustle.I think, early on in your hustle—once you truly accept you’re a creative and you’re figuring out what direction to go—that experimentation and trying new things is important. I think of this as Phase 1, and I was totally there. In fact, I played in this Phase for like 4 years, until I reached what I feel is Phase 2.Phase 2: you start to figure out what is and what isn’t working. I call this the "sweet spot secret sauce" that overlaps your greatest passion/interests with your greatest strengths. You start to narrow down and go deeper down this rabbit hole and connecting with yourself and your potential audience/clients on a deeper level. You start to really understand yourself and what these hungry and connected humans want/need and how you could potentially provide that solution...that’s where Phase 3 starts to come in.Phase 3, to me, is when you add the next ingredient to the secret sauce of the Sweet Spot: the market. You’ve now combined something you’re passionate about with something you’re good at, so now you need to pinpoint where you’re able to provide a valuable solution to that perfect follower or client. To me, this is where the magic happens: your ambitious side hustle pursuits start to really gain traction and shape into the possibility of something more.I think Phase 4 is something I’m on the cusp of, but I don’t truly know what it looks like yet. However, I'm definitely thriving in my secret sauce sweet spot and finding new ingredients to add to the mix to help scale what I’m doing and go deeper.Narrowing Your Focus By Niching DownI guess this philosophy I’m speaking toward all started with experimenting, but now I've narrowed my focus. I not only listened to my gut, but I also soaked up outside perspectives and advice how I could steer my ship in a more strategic direction that still aligned with the Phase 2 of my greatest strengths and passions.I continued to narrow my focus by saying no to things that didn’t align with where I wanted to go.The narrowing of my focus is what we like to call niching down ("nitching" or "neeching," based on however you’d like to pronounce it).I was one who refused to niche, yet wondered why I always felt like I wasn’t making the progress I wanted...even though I had been doing Perspective-Collective for a few years.However, as I started to gain more clarity and confidence in the direction I wanted to go, the more powerful niching down became. During this season, I can safely say I’m a Side Hustle Coach who helps creatives build fulfilling and profitable side hustles outside their day job.This is my niche during this season, and I embrace it and realize this isn’t necessarily forever...and that’s the key to today’s episode.The Marketing Guru for CreativesToday’s guest is someone who truly showed me the power of why the riches are in the niches and to embrace the discomfort that came with it.I’m talking about my brother from another marketing mother, Tom Ross, CEO of Design Cuts, Face of the Honest Entrepreneur, Co-Host of The Honest Designers Podcast, and a new podcast he has in the works with Michael Janda.He has progressively niched down over the years and has built successful companies left and right, but now focuses his attention on helping creatives like you and I are with marketing to blow up our side hustle pursuits.TAKE NOTES ON THIS SHIT because Tom and I go deep on the topic of niching down and more specifically cover:Why niching down isn’t a life sentenceWhy you should be niching down and whenHow to niche down and for how long to test the watersObjections to niching (you’ll love these)Standing out, serving your following, growing an engaged audience, plus so much moreI’m hoping you find a golden nugget in here you can immediately apply to your creative grind ASAP, so you get one step further in whatever phase you’re currently in.ShownotesConnect with Tom Ross: Instagram | Website | PatreonListen to The Honest Entrepreneur ShowListen to The Honest Designers ShowAccess Tom's Guide to Niching DownUse PRSPCTV and save $25 off your Crop Conference TicketDownload your FREE Side Hustler's War ChestGet your FREE audiobook download from AudibleJoin our Private Global Facebook Community of CreatorsListener of the Week: finletter_USAPodcast Editor: Aine BrennanShownotes Editor: Paige GarlandVideo Editor: Colton BacharPodcast music: Blookah—Want to Support the Show?Become a backer on PatreonLeave an Apple Podcast Rating and ReviewShare the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast InstagramSubscribe via your favorite podcast player:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Play MusicOvercast

Lincoln Design Co. on Hiring Yourself & Leveraging Your Side HustleWhich type of person are you?The type of person who just shows up at your day job to get the work done so you can clock out, go home, and binge some Netflix or watch hours of cat videos/people falling down?The type of person who can’t turn off the love for creating so you work on things you love outside of work (aka side hustle) and leverage those skills for both day job and personal work?Because you’re listening to this podcast, it’s safe for me to assume you’re the second type of individual or are striving to become this person.I never was truly person #1, as I always craved to do something more outside of my previous day jobs...but I never took myself seriously until I was like 26 and a year into Perspective-Collective.However, designing, drawing, and just creating in general has been flowing through my veins my entire life.Person #2 is the type of person who can’t shut it off. You see good as well as bad design/art all around you 24/7.You’re the type of person who is drawing something in your mind as you try to sleep and then you can’t wait to wake up to bring it to life.You keep a notepad by your bed to collect those killer reoccurring thoughts, or you have a water proof note pad in your shower because those are where the best ideas come from.You’re the kind of person who doesn’t eat at a restaurant because the logo is horrible.You won’t watch a DVD strictly because the font choice is whack.You point out poor kerning to your significant other even though they could care less.Or you get out your phone to capture that dope neon sign, fading mural, or sick badge on a man hole cover.You live for this shit, and that’s how you know that you’re made to be a creative. Now it’s time to put in the work.Today’s episode features a squad of goons who can’t turn off the creative switch and were clearly cut from a different cloth. The work they do and the rapid pace they do it isn’t normal for creatives like you and me.I’m talking about my homies over at Lincoln Design Co out of the great Pacific Northwest.Their chief of command, Dan Janssen, has assembled a cast of 5 insanely talented creatives as they slay work for the brand giants of the world like: Mattel, Hasbro, Disney, DreamWorks, Nike, Nickelodeon, Google, Hot Wheels….you get the point...but they’re not too proud to crush it for a local mom and pop shop or for creatives like you and me who need that next level personalized touch.I linked up with Lincoln early on when they started making big waves in the creative community, and I’m honored to bring them back on for round 2 today to catch you up with the insane growth and power moves they’ve made since 2017.We have a unique one as we got a chance to record during their 2019 end of year retreat. Each member of the crew was in the middle of working, but we managed to get a little screen time for each of them!I want to see your notes on this one as Dan and company go deep on:The power of leveraging your side hustleBeing a swiss army knife vs. a one trick ponyThe magic of personal branding and hiring yourselfMaking sacrifices to become great at what you doLogos, Merch, Creating Fonts, their day-to-day process, pizza, and more!It’s easy to fall victim to comparison when you see dope work on the daily from these dudes, but use this episode as a heavy dose of creative fuel to be the best version of yourself in 2020 and take your work to the next level in this new decade.ShownotesConnect with Lincoln Design Co: Instagram | Website | ShopBuy their Logo Mayhem BookConnect with the crew:Dan Janssen - @DanLincolnCoDustin's IG - @Don'tRealllyCareBrandon Hunsaker's WorkDamasso Sanchez - @SazonCollectiveDavy Le Chevance - @The Mighty ShortJordan Mahaffey - @StakeYourClaimUse PRSPCTV and save $25 off your Crop Conference TicketDownload your FREE Side Hustler's War ChestGet your FREE audiobook download from AudibleJoin our Private Global Facebook Community of CreatorsListener of the Week: isaacholtorf of USAPodcast Editor: Aine BrennanShownotes Editor: Paige GarlandVideo Editor: Colton BacharPodcast music: Blookah—Want to Support the Show?Become a backer on PatreonLeave an Apple Podcast Rating and ReviewShare the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast InstagramSubscribe via your favorite podcast player:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle Play MusicOvercast

A Christmas That Changed My LifeI remember it like it was yesterday—two years ago to this date on Christmas Morning 2017. Emily and I had just gotten back from Christmas at my parents, and we were opening our stockings (and giving stockings to our cats Lucy and Flora, of course).She had been acting weird all morning and even left early to go to Walgreens for a “last-minute stocking stuffer.”After we finished exchanging our stockings, she awkwardly said, “We need to talk.”That’s never been a good conversation starter, so I had a million negative scenarios running through my head.That’s when she told me, “I’m pregnant, hope you’re not mad…”I was stunned, shocked, and awed. Of course, I wasn’t mad, I was thrilled!We both started crying. Little did the cats know that they weren’t going to be the only babies in the house anymore.Then it happened...After the shock wore off, I was immediately flooded with fear.How will I provide for this human, as we barely make enough to get by?I’m so immature...how will I be able to keep this baby alive?!Will I even be a good dad?The other thought that crept into my mind: “Will I have to give up my side hustle of Perspective-Collective? Is my dream over now?”Fast forward two years and here we are with this Little Pizza Roll being promoted to Big Brother in May 2020. Clearly, the dream is still well alive and thriving more than ever, more on that in the big announcement portion at the end.Yes, having a kid has radically changed my life and my priorities. Every decision I make now affects a tiny human, so I had to become a better decision-maker.The birth of Little Scotty is not only the best thing that’s ever happened in my life, but it's also the best thing that’s happened for my side hustle business.I've had this idea for a while now and sat down with Emily around Thanksgiving to have her weigh in her opinion.Together, we compiled 4 Significant Lessons our Little Scotty has taught us over the past two years.Yes, this is what he has taught us, but I believe the lessons here will dramatically impact and inspire a change to how you show up for yourself and others through your side hustle.1. Be Relentlessly FearlessMy son is barely scared of anything, not even the dark. If there's something he wants to do, like being a Dare-Devil and standing up on the narrow seat of his Paw Patrol Fire Truck, then he's going to do it (you should note that I place pillows and blankets all around him as a safety net mind you).He fails and falls countless times in his ventures to conquer something. He cries, lets us kiss it boo-boos and I give him the whole "Figure it out, you got this!" pep talk and smack him on his cute little bottom and send him off. Then he's right back at it recalculating his approach until he locks it down.It's so incredible to see that big shit grin he has on his face as to say "Look at me ma-ma and da-da. I did it!"Seeing him master a mini-mountain makes me think about you and me and our creative pursuits.We let negative emotions of fear, doubt, and comparison hold us back from conquering something that truly excites us like: sharing our work, making a YouTube Channel, starting a podcast, etc.Instead, imagine if we channeled our inner toddler who isn't affected by these restraining feelings and relentlessly chased the things we wanted?What kind of breakthroughs could you see yourself having?Little Scotty has reaffirmed an important lesson that failure is a key ingredient for triumph.2. Enjoy the Little Things + Celebrate Smalls WinsStraight up, we're spoiled and take things for granted ALL THE TIME (this includes me).We expect convenience and things to go our way.We lose sight of how blessed we are and neglect when the smallest amount of good fortune crosses our path.My son doesn't operate this way and I hope this perspective he's given me is something I can instill back into him as he gets older.The smallest things in life, like giving him the choice between two flavors of puffs (Blueberry or Strawberry), makes him light up with an enthusiastic chuckle while clapping his hands.He also shows me how much joy can be sparked from the smallest wins (like tossing consecutive wooden blocks into a container at the end of the night while I scream "Kobe") to the biggest wins (like learning to crawl DOWN steps because crawling up was too easy).He challenges me to notice and appreciate every little bit of good that flows through my day because I'm so fortunate to live the life I'm living and do the work that I love doing.There's magic in the little moments and small wins that your side hustle pursuits produce. These need to be acknowledged because progress is progress.3. Stay Curious & Stay LearningWhile he loves the toys we get him, our Stinky Boy is more captivated by how ordinary items around our house function.This kid will spend hours closing cupboard doors (ones we specifically don't lock), taking lids on and off mason jars, trying to flush the toilet poking my belly button to see what it does.He's so freaking curious and is obsessed with learning.I love watching his tongue hang out as I envision those little gears turning in his mind as he attempts to figure out the world each day.Now, think about how crucial education or the lack of has been to get you to where you are today?Over the past 5.5 years of building Perspective-Collective, I can proudly say that I've been self-taught in everything I took initiative to learn: social media, hand-lettering fundamentals, email marketing, copywriting, audio/podcasting, etc.I didn't have to learn these things, I chose to learn them as I saw the growth and opportunities they yielded.Knowledge is power and the more we strive to learn, the more value we can create for people which puts us in a position to thrive in what we do.If something piques your curiosity, invest in yourself by taking the time to learn it and see where it leads you.4. Play Hard"This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play." - Alan Watts.When this Little Ham Sammich plays, he plays hard to the point where nothing around him exists as he's lost down the rabbit hole of his imagination (unless he's wrestling his da-da of course).This dude gets so lost in his play that he gets a wee bit frustrated when you snap him out of it to change him, make him dinner, or give him a bath—rightfully so!How often do you get lost in play—or is the work you force yourself to do even play at all?Watching my son play triggers this new filter that's been blooming in me. As I take the next steps in my business in 2020, anything that doesn't fit into the play category is something I should eliminate or delegate if I have the means.I'm so grateful to have tapped into sources of play like creating, podcasting, and coaching. I play hard and get lost in the sauce for hours and the best thing about it all is the relationships I get to build when I leverage these skills I've learned.Finding things that interest you is a good place to start if there's something you want to pursue but don't know the first steps to take.I think I'm finally starting to see what Alan Watts is referring to in his quote because when I play hard in my business, it never feels like I'm working at all.Honorable Mention: Farts are Funny / Don't Take Life Too SeriouslyHere's a quick one Emily and I both agreed on that may be the most important lesson yet.Little Dougie Fresh AKA Trey Money affirmed our beliefs that farts are funny because man, does he sure does laugh and looks our way when he breaks a little toot.At the end of the day, my wife and I are still little kids at heart and will forever laugh at a fart.His precious reactions to his little gusts of wind remind me to not take shit so seriously all the time. Literally, and figuratively and you shouldn't either!Big AnnouncementThe Biggest Blessing in DisguiseRemember when I said the announcement of Little Scotty's birth instilled fear in me that my days of hustling on the side were over?Boy was I wrong.Instead, it set me on a laser-focused trajectory to where a potentially devastating crisis has turned into a life-changing opportunity.This is the first time I'm able to publicly talk about this and it builds off of episode 149 that I recorded November 1st about Winning the War Inside Your Head.In this episode, I talked about how crazy life has been between finding out we were expecting late September, to launching the Coaching Program and doing my first Live Podcast in the same week, to then scrambling to find a new home to expand into before the holidays.It was a challenging, but exciting season we were entering into and while chaotic, things were moving oddly smooth for how fast things progressed...or so we thought.A few days later, November 4th to be exact (which is a week after we closed on our new home that doubled our mortgage), I was sitting in my day job cubicle when HR came to my desk and asked to speak to me.They strolled me down the hallway and sat me down with the President of our business. They informed me that Corporate was doing widespread budget cuts due to sales being down and wanted to get ahead of the 2020 forecast which wasn't promising.With that being said, they proceeded to eliminate our entire marketing department out of nowhere. No sign, no warning at all.It was a complete shock to myself, and even more so to my pregnant wife.So much for a safe job right?I spent the first two hours in panic mode because I was terrified I was about to lose the house we just closed on, hence why I couldn't talk about it until after we moved in on December 13th.Despite being overwhelmed with negative emotions and thoughts, after those first two hours of panic, I went to work.Massive Action + Fear & Scarcity MindsetThe more time I spent worrying and playing the victim, the quicker the window of opportunity would close.I needed to take massive action so I immediately started making calls to all my friends in the creative industry THAT I BUILT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PAST 5.5 YEARS (relationships are everything).In my mind, I felt step 1 was to redo my resume and create a web UIUX based portfolio to land a good-paying "safe" job to get us a steady income to get by for at least a year or two to pay off our debt goals. After that, I'd ideally be able to take the risk and make the leap to full-time.My first call after being laid off was with Peter Deltondo of Unfold and wizard behind Creative South's web user experience.This dude didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear and it was a huge perspective shift.He made me realize how much my current decisions on how to move forward were based on fear and scarcity. My heart and gut weren't into web design and writing a resume for it sucked the joy from me.He made me realize what I was truly passionate about (and good at) was lettering, illustration, and branding—you know, THE WORK I'VE BEEN SHOWING OVER THE YEARS, not the UIUX related shit I did at the day job!He was the first to tell me "Maybe this is the sign you need to do your thing full-time. You haven't been building this for over five years for nothing!"Meh...scarcity mindset and the fear of failure were still top of mind so I immediately dismissed it. I thought to myself, "This would be awesome, but you don't understand the position I'm in and the risk that puts on my family?!"However, my convo with Peter helped me know the type of work I wanted to show in my new portfolio I was building from scratch. I also knew that my targets were set on applying at some type of agency for remote work that could help me brush shoulders with big names to boost my portfolio.So there I was, call after call with friends on getting advice/guidance/direction and it kept circling back to the eerily repetitive answer of "This is a sign, do your thing full-time."It wasn't until I spent countless sleepless nights and multiple panic attacks that I brought this internal turmoil to my wife.I explain that logic is telling me I need to apply for some type of agency job to get us a steady paycheck so we can cover our family expenses, maternity, and still hit our debt pay-off goal.However, my gut and heart just weren't in it when I attempted to write my resume. It just felt "off" and it was stressing me out. Going full-time was what I always wanted, but the main thing holding me back the fear of not only failing myself but failing her and our kiddos.Surprisingly, she legit recited the same unprompted answer as everyone else I had a call with which totally caught me off guard.She agreed with them and instilled the confidence and affirmation I needed that me being laid off was the best thing that's ever happened to me.She said, "If it doesn't work out, the worst thing that'll happen is that you have to get another job."Boom. Sold. Let's Go.A Sign & Shove From the UniverseMe getting laid off out of nowhere was the universe shoving me into action before I felt I was ready (opposed to my original plan of leaping on my own terms a year or two later).While it's terrifying to say, on January 10th, 2020 (aka when my severance package runs out), I'll officially be making the leap to full-time coaching and freelance.It's an emotional trip for me to see all these years of treating my side hustle like it was a full-time business finally come to fruition.I always said if I had an extra 40 hours back in my life, I'd be able to do so many more things and make an even bigger impact. It's funny because the Universe was listening and it always gives me the gift I needed but often disguised behind the mask of adversity.The best thing about this that makes me so fucking proud is that I've blazed my own path and did things my way.All these lessons my son taught me the past two years have played such a significant role in leading me to this opportunity. My hope is that these four little lessons of be relentlessly fearless, enjoy the little things, stay curious and stay learning, and play hard can play a significant role in helping you take the next step in your creative grind in 2020.Let's climb some new mountains together and celebrate the little milestone along the way. Eventually, we'll get to appreciate the view at the top and start the process all over again.

If you want to start your own design business the recommended approach for most is to start it as a side hustle whilst your 9-5 job brings in the money. But how do you make time around a full time job? and how do you reach your goals? In this weeks episode Ian speaks to Scotty Russell, the founder of Perspective Collective, a business he built and run on the side of a full time job. We discover how he built his own personal brand, how he makes time with a family, goal setting and more. Through Perspective Collective Scotty helps creatives find their gift, establish a side hustle and win the battle against their inner critic with a podcast, community and coaching. Show notes and episode transcription can be found here: https://logogeek.uk/podcast/scotty-russell/ Books & Resources Mentioned Perspective Collective Website | Podcast Side Hustler’s War Chest Side Hustler’s Coaching Program Doyald Youngs books: Logotypes & Letterforms – Buy on Amazon UK | Amazon US Fonts & Logos – Buy on Amazon UK | Amazon US Dangerous Curves – Buy on Amazon UK | Amazon US The One Thing – Buy on Amazon UK | Amazon US Creative South Wunderlist – A handy to-do list app Thank you to the sponsor, FreshBooks I’m incredibly thankful to FreshBooks for sponsoring season 6 of the Logo Geek Podcast! FreshBooks is an online accounting tool that makes it really easy to create and send invoices, track time and manage your money. You can try it out for yourself with a free 30 day trial.

Side Hustler’s Series Part 4 of 4: 6 Ways to Carve Out Time to Grind & Execute Outside Your Day Job A PROVEN SYSTEM FOR KNOCKING SHIT OUT EACH DAY Hands down, the #1 thing creatives like you tell me you struggle with the most? Finding time to grind on your side hustle. I’m hella qualified to talk on this topic because I’ve gotten pretty damn good at: carving out pockets of time in my day to knock out my top priorities that align with my main goal/vision. In five years, I’ve been able to build Perspective-Collective, freelance, and handle a weekly podcast all outside of my full-time job. Not to mention, I’m a husband and father to the dopest little dude this side of the Mississippi. This shit isn’t easy, and I’m not trying to brag. I’m just trying to convince you that if I can do it, anyone can. If finding time to grind is one of your biggest pain points, I feel the following system can improve your productivity immediately. Note: I also have this available as a guide in the Side Hustler’s War Chest. In case you missed that, you can download it here. #1. Take One Bite at a Time It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough when you see someone else crushing it. Often, our ambition is larger than our reality, and we feel we have to eat the full pizza in one bite. While it’s great you want to start a weekly podcast, vlog, and newsletter all at once, biting off more than you can chew can set yourself up for failure if you: Attempt to do all of this outside a day job Have family responsibilities Don’t have a defined process built into your routine I started posting consistent drawings on Instagram in the spring of 2014. I then took on weekly blogging in June 2015, then added a newsletter in October 2015. I began the weekly podcast in August 2016. In between, I’d sprinkle in some freelancing, public speaking, teaching workshops, and selling products. There’s no way in hell I’d still be trucking along had I attempted to do all of this right from the jump. I suggest taking things slow and steady, as we’re looking to accomplish long-term consistency. Start with one bite at a time by setting ambitious (yet realistic) expectations and taking action. Once you lock down your process, take a bigger bite by slowly baking the next thing into your routine. #2. Plan Your Attack I’m discovering the most successful people I look up to don’t roll out of bed and shit productivity—they schedule their success. When I stopped winging it and planned my daily attack, it made decision-making so much easier. Here’s how I plan my attack: 1. MAKE A WEEKLY TASK LIST ON SUNDAY You can list these by hand or with digital apps like Wunderlist, Notion, or Evernote. Update your list accordingly as things pop up during the week Carry over the remaining tasks from the previous week. 2. PRIORITIZE THEM WITH MY CREATIVE GRIND (ABC) SYSTEM* List up to 7 tasks per each letter (7 days in a week = 1 task a day) A1-A7: High Priority Tasks to Attack that move the needle forward B1-B7: Medium Priority Tasks that are cooking on the Back Burner -C1-C7 Low Priority Tasks that would be Cool to get done or should be delegated D: Insignificant Tasks should be Destroyed *Those in my coaching program get to be the first guinea pigs for a basic and more advanced version of my Creative Grind System. 3. PLAN YOUR FOLLOWING DAY’S TASKS Here’s a quick glimpse of how I list my next day’s attack: Each night, I plan out the next day’s blocks of time I have to grind (morning, lunch, breaks, evenings) I’ll create fields for tasks A1-A3, B1, and C1 I’ll then pluck from the top weekly tasks list and plug them into the designated fields When you knock out your A1 task, cross it off your daily attack and weekly list. Then proceed to A2 and A3. Sometimes, you may only have a small window of time so knocking out the B1 task makes sense. Only knock out the C task if you get through all A and B tasks for that day. THE GOAL The goal is to knock out and cross off AT LEAST one A task a day. Crossing that A task off your list becomes a productivity habit-forming addiction! Depending on your schedule and goals, tweak this and find what works for you! #3. Eat the Worm I’m a night owl by default, but waking up early and eating the worm has been the catalyst for the growth of my side hustle. There are three reasons why mornings are my jam: It creates more time to grind: It prioritizes my dream first I put a large dent in my A1 task before going to the day job For me, productivity lies in doing the most important task first—the one that will scale my business. These big tasks typically require the most willpower. Oddly enough, the most important tasks that move my business forward and require the most willpower have nothing to do with drawing—they have everything to do with writing. Writing is the backbone to my side hustle. I write practically every day with the podcast, the coaching program, workshops, speeches, Instagram captions, product details, landing pages, email campaigns, etc. Working a day job and opening myself up to the world’s distractions takes a massive toll on my willpower. There’s no way I have the focus or desire to do my best writing after I clock out from work or after I put my son to bed. Getting up early and eating the worm sucked in the beginning and still sucks today. I had to adjust by using the hack of getting up 10-20 minutes earlier each week. This significantly helped me adjust instead of making the switch from 6:30 am to 4:30 am. This is an example of a bite-sized change mentioned in #1. Grinding before the world wakes up provides the best focus for me, and maybe it could for you. To get the results you’ve never had, you have do something you’ve never done. I’ve made hard changes in my routine to chase that productivity-high. It gets easier to adjust when you begin to see the progress. I realize there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to this, as everyone’s schedules and responsibilities are different. Start by determining when you have the most willpower in the day. Then carve out time and act on your A1 task. #4. Play UNO Playing Uno ties into #2 and is my way of saying “focus on doing one thing each day that will help get you the best results.” Looking at that massive to-do list can be overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to start, so you become paralyzed from taking action. This is why we take that weekly task list and prioritize it to create a plan of attack. Focusing on the one thing you planned the night before (the A1 task) makes the game winnable and easier to manage. Note: to reiterate #2, when you knocked out the A1 task for the day, you then shift your target to A2. It’s hard not to feel accomplished and experience progress when you knock the main thing off your list each day. You and momentum become best friends when you optimize your system for maximum badassery. #5. Eliminate Distractions It’s so easy for us to get distracted because we’ve become glued to our phones, computers, smartwatches, and TVs. We’re “too connected” and don’t want to miss out on anything and everything. I’ve had to discipline myself to eliminate distractions. When it’s grind time, I have to prepare my environment so I can get into the zone. KILL SOCIAL MEDIA NOTIFICATIONS For me, I kill all notifications on my phone except for texts and calls in case of an emergency. I personally have a strong belief that you do not need social media notifications on your phone. That shit will distract you from keeping the main thing the main thing. USE DND MODE I always have Do Not Disturb Mode set on my phone from 9 PM–6 AM, so nothing distracts me before bed until after I eat the worm and play Uno. I’ll even turn on DND Mode when I need to practice a speech, record the podcast, or get lost in a drawing. SET APP LIMITS & NOTIFICATIONS On iOS, you can set App Limits to put time constraint reminders on apps you tend to overuse. You can also enable notifications to let you know how much screen time you’ve been using to keep yourself in check. OPTIMIZE YOUR ENVIRONMENT For me, having a clean desk/office, closing the door, and having one screen on for willpower tasks like writing helps me find my zone. As much as I love my cats, having them crawl all over me and knocking shit over on my desk while I work is a no-go. Overall, protect and value the time you’ve carved out for yourself to grind—no one else will do that for you. #6. Say NO, so You Can Say YES Your secret weapon for creating more time is a muscle you don’t flex often enough. You gotta learn how to say NO, NOPE, and NAH, I’M GOOD. If you constantly use the excuse of “I never have time,” it’s times to switch your language to “I haven’t made it a priority.” I should know because this excuse was my default for everything. Any margin of time I had got filled up because I was a professional over-committer who didn’t understand the power of saying NO. Of course, you can’t make something a priority because you said YES to something else when you should’ve said NO! It’s really simple: saying YES fills your time and saying NO creates more time for what’s most important. THE HELL YES FILTER Create a filter for yourself—if an opportunity comes your way, and it’s not an instant HELL YES that aligns with your main vision, then it’s an immediate HELL NO. THE HELL NO LIST Another step to help you frame your Hell-Yes filter is by creating a list of No’s and Hell-No’s. That way, you have set guidelines to stick to when decent opportunities come knocking. This filter and list will clamp down on letting people and stupid, non-essential tasks steal your time. Take Yourself Seriously Everyone has what it takes to execute their side hustle outside their day job. The problem is that people struggle to grind on their side hustle because they lack a system and some discipline. Regardless if you’re a night owl or early bird, make notes of these ideas—I know they can help you see results ASAP. It all boils down to—how badly do you want it? Are you ready to take yourself and your work seriously? Need Some Extra Help? Check out The Side Hustler's Coaching Program If you're finding that you want some extra hand-holding and accountability to take the next step, sign up for the Side Hustler's Coaching Program now to join the waitlist for September 16th's launch week. Enjoy This Episode? If you enjoyed and found this episode value, I need your help spreading it! Please, share a screenshot or video of the episode you're listening to and tag me on Instagram at @prspctv_cllctv and @perspectivepodcast—and let’s connect. Shownotes The Happy Ever Crafter TV Episode James Victore's Episode Download your FREE Side Hustler’s War Chest Get your FREE audiobook download from Audible Join our Private Global Facebook Community of Creators Listener of the Week: bhhhgr of USA Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Video Editor: Colton Bachar Podcast music: Blookah Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast

Side Hustler's Series Part 2 of 4: 9 Benefits of Side Hustling The Dream You've Been Sold Most likely, you’re a listener/reader for two reasons: You’re ready to transform your hobbies into a side hustle You’re ready to take your current side hustle to the next level If so, you've tuned into the right place. I focus on the side hustle part because hustlin' is a habit, and it's all I know. Not everyone is fortunate enough to do their own thing full-time right out of the gates. In fact, I'd say the majority of people don't go this route. You were sold the dream of the traditional route of getting student loans to fund college, so you can land a good job. You then get married, get a mortgage, have kids, and do the same routine day-in and day-out. The goal is to pay your dues at your day job to help someone else’s dream come true in hopes of retiring around sixty. Supposedly, that's when your life begins? If you're like me, you've realized this isn't your dream at all. Something deep inside you craves to go against the grain and blaze your own path. I've had this internal craving since college where I was creating tattoos, logos, etc. to pay for video games and 30 packs of Busch Light. This craving has only grown stronger as I've spent over five years building Perspective-Collective outside my day job. Trust me when I say I've invested thousands of hours and two power plants worth of energy into finding ways to transform my hobbies into a monetized side hustle/side business—all outside a day job. I’ve figured out what works through A TON of trial and error (extra emphasis on the error part). No doubt, it's been a lot of work to navigate this ship to where it's sailing today. Regardless of the storms and choppy waters I've dealt with along the way, every ounce of effort I've invested in my dream has been worth it. Pursue Your Gift & Make an Impact If you’re not fully convinced nor confident that you’re ready to invest in the long haul, I have 9 super-convincing benefits of side hustling to share with ya. Before I begin, I feel it's important to note that there's nothing wrong with having a day job. You may have landed one that you love and have no desire to do your own thing full-time. That's totally cool! You also may be in a position where you'll be in your day job for a while due to personal situations like mine. That's cool too! This episode is solely fuel for satisfying that inner craving to do more with your gift. That's it! Without further ado, the following benefits are based on my experience, as well as anecdotal evidence from my juggernaut creative friends and podcast guests. #1. Find Your Purpose This is #1 for a reason because I know what it's like to feel like you have nothing to offer the world. If you go to bed each night without something to look forward to, something is wrong. It’s time to change that with a side hustle that feels like play. I'm jazzed to get up each day because of my side hustle of helping other creatives build their killer side hustles. I look forward to putting in the work and reapings these 9 benefits that come with it. Life is dull and unfulfilling when you lack a purpose—side hustles can change that. #2. Cultivate Killer Relationships You may have heard the phrases, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” or “Your network = your net worth.” I believe both of these are 100% true. I also believe in the quote from Jim Rhome, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Relationships are everything. Your side hustle can help connect you with like-minded people who have similar goals, work ethics, and values. Two things to keep top of mind: Always focus on giving more than you take Create as many win-win scenarios as possible for both parties You’ll be surprised by the genuine and abundant friendships you’ll build through your side hustle over time. #3. Attract a Tribe of Like-Minded Freaks "Embracing your weird" seems to be the storyline of 2019 and I'm all for it—the weirder the better. Starting a side hustle or a passion project allows you to go deep on things that interest YOU. It's a playground to experiment and embrace the YOU in YOU-nique. Chances are you're not alone—your weird quirks and qualms are most certainly shared by other weirdos. When you publicly share and own your YOU-niquness, you increase the odds of attracting a like-minded tribe of freaks who vibe to your unique flavor of weird. Then you circle back to Benefit #2 and cultivate killer relationships—it's a win-win. #4. Add New Skills to Your Arsenal This one is obvious but important to stress. My side hustle has allowed me to learn skills that I’ve been able to leverage for raises at work, charge more in freelance, and attract more opportunities. Pursuing Perspective-Collective has taught me how to: become a better artist/designer advance my lettering/illustration skills market myself on social media grow my email list improve my writing through blogging edit audio and video through the podcast manage projects and my personal time attract an audience and community pitch, price, and present my ideas communicate and delegate I could keep going, but you get the picture. Whatever you want to learn, you can create a passion project around it. #5. Build Confidence & Overcome Fear I had little to no confidence in myself or my abilities for about the first 24-25 years of my life...until I started Perspective-Collective. I was able to find my groove when I shared my work consistently on Instagram. Facing the things I feared the most—like sharing my work, speaking in public, asking for what I wanted in life, or saying NO to people—has resulted in some incredible breakthroughs in my creative career. Leaning into this fear has helped me unlock confidence in my purpose, my creative abilities, and my mission. Side hustling builds confidence when you're persistently getting uncomfortable. Period. #6. Turn Your Work into Play Hobbies are fun and having fun = play. There are no set-in-stone requirements that you have to turn that hobby into a side hustle, especially if your play begins to feel like work. If your side hustle isn’t fun, it’s just another soul-sucking job. Keep your inner creative child alive and enjoy the messy process. However, when your work becomes play, your potential is unlimited. The passion and fun will fuel you during the low moments. #7. Make an Impact I used to chase the glory: more money, more followers, more engagement, etc. However, when I focused on serving people and the impact I had on them, I found a lot of these manifest as a byproduct. Creating for impact means contributing to something bigger than yourself—the greater whole. Making an impact leaves a legacy far after I'm buried six feet deep. I’m hoping the podcast and the Side Hustler's Coaching Program are things my son can be proud of and people can find value in for years to come. #8. Generate Extra Income Who doesn’t love to make a little extra money on the side? For me, money isn't the focus anymore, it's become a byproduct of Benefit #7 and serving people like you. I've learned that money and opportunities will come your way when you're ready and prepared for them. Here are multiple ways you can make supplemental income with your side hustle: freelancing, slanging merch, creating digital products, consulting, coaching, teaching, influencer marketing, social media marketing, content creation, affiliates, etc. For me, I’ve done a little bit of everything. The extra income I've generated over the years has helped me pay off credit cards, put a down payment on my wife's whip, cover emergency medical expenses, take vacations, donate to charities like Inch x Inch, and even buy special gifts for the lovely lady in my life. Even if extra income isn’t your intent with your side hustle, just know there's a good chance you could probably monetize what you’re doing. #9. Win Your Freedom Again, maybe you’re not looking to take your side hustle full-time, and that’s totally okay. I know tons of powerhouse creatives who still hold down a day job like Brian Steely and Nick Slater. If you're like me, you eventually strive to do your thing full-time. I have a game plan to get there, but I'm still a few years away from taking that leap. However, I’ve seen how side hustles and passion projects has unlocked financial and time freedom for my friends like Pandr Design, Lauren Hom, Musketon, and Elizabeth Gray of The Grayter Good. When they started to take their side hustle more seriously, they were able to evolve them into lucrative creative careers. Why can’t this be you and me too? Share Your Gift with the World Maybe you're ready to transform your hobby to a side hustle. Maybe you're ready to take your side hustle to the next level? Whatever it is, I hope you see the crazy benefits a side hustle can yield when you tap into your gifts and share it with the world. So what if you have a day job? Don't let that hold you back from building a side hustle. Leverage your day job to fuel your dream job, and have some fun in the process! Need Some Extra Help? Check out The Side Hustler's Coaching Program If you're finding that you want some extra hand-holding and accountability to take the next step, sign up for the Side Hustler's Coaching Program now to join the waitlist for September 16th's launch week. Shownotes Download your FREE Side Hustler’s War Chest Get your FREE audiobook download from Audible Join our Private Global Facebook Community of Creators Listener of the Week: Jasmine Designs of Australia Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Video Editor: Colton Bachar Podcast music: Blookah Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast

Side Hustler's Series Part 1 of 4: 3 Levels to Find Your Wolf Pack Humble Side Hustle Beginnings “Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.” — Ziad K. Abdelnour I've been side hustling for a hot minute now. One of my bigger side hustles was right out of college when a buddy and I started a clothing brand called Daydreamin' Clothing Incorporated. We quickly changed it to Company because we were far from a corporation, but it just sounded cool. Well, before lettering was a thing on Instagram, I was making hand-lettered logos and graphics for our brand back in 2010. We started off with our logo on a few shitty Gildan logo tees, then ordered some business cards through Vista Print and called ourselves a business. While our original launch was hot garbage, I'm proud of it because we were young dreamers taking big action. Those first few logo tees evolved into more complex designs as we filed an LLC. Two years into it, we were sponsoring rappers, skaters, motocross bikers, and local "influencers." Three years into it, we were hosting events at clubs, doing pop-ups shops, and getting in brick and mortar and online stores like Kazbah. We were making shit happen and figuring it out along the way. My partner was the point-of-contact string-puller, accountant, and fulfillment manager. I was obviously the artist, designer, and the marketing/promo lead. We balanced each other out well and brought in help for extra support. In our fourth year, we were getting serious and ready to elevate our product offerings. We lined up a huge investor and locked down a warehouse for creating custom threads and patterns for whatever we could scheme up. This was the turning point—it became a shit or get off the pot kind of thing. The Banana Split My partner was all-in and ready to quit his job to pursue this. I was in the middle of changing day jobs, had a new mortgage, and was sitting on a pile of private student loan debt. I wasn't as eager to take the risk and wanted to keep doing this as my secondary "full-time" side hustle. Things went sour when we discussed splitting shares of the company if we went with the investor. We didn't see eye-to-eye on percentages and my partner felt like he could make this dream happen on his own. We ended up making like a banana and split. That's when I started Perspective-Collective in 2014. I had made up my mind I was going solo, and I thought I didn't need anyone's help to get to where I wanted to be in life. I spent the first year obsessively learning hand-lettering and posting daily on Instagram. I slowly began developing my style, finding my voice, and growing an audience. I hit a wall the second year. I felt called to do more than just share pretty polished Instagram posts. However, I was trapped in my little Cedar Falls, Iowa, bubble and had no idea what the next step was. I felt so isolated and stuck, but the cure was doing something radical to rattle my comfort cage. Rattling the Comfort Cage I found the Creative South Conference through Instagram and made a decision I was going to find a way to attend. After my successful proposal to my day job, I flew to Columbus, GA, for a life-changing experience in April 2015. This conference allowed me to attach myself to people doing things I didn't know were possible. It revealed the next steps and provided answers to questions I didn't even know I was seeking. Most importantly, it showed me the power of getting around like-minded people who knew more than I did. This is the power of community. I went home on fire and immediately joined the Seanwes community. They welcomed me with open arms at the conference and eliminated the feeling of isolation. It was a pricey investment, but definitely worth it in the grand scheme of things. Find Your Wolf Pack From there, I joined an accountability group for the next level of connection. Along the way, I would pick up mentors like Jason Craig and Brian Manley, who took me under their wing in regards to public speaking. Every year, my side hustle evolved as I added something new to the tool belt. Drawing turned into blogging. Blogging turned into speaking. Speaking turned into a podcast. Somewhere in between, I started teaching workshops and selling products. Doing all of this outside my day job has helped me build my own community. It's put me in a position where I can pursue coaching other creatives to build something of their own outside their day jobs. The point I want to make? None of this would have happened if I thought I had all the answers and had been too prideful to ask for help. I've had help at each step along the way. Yes, sometimes, you have to to be the lone wolf and make mistakes in order to learn and push forward. In my experience, seeking out a wolf pack and asking for help allows you to bypass obstacles and get on the fast track for growth much quicker than being a lone wolf. Wolves survive and thrive by being in packs. If you're tired of feeling stuck and isolated on an island, I have a few levels for finding your wolf pack. Level 1: Find Community Finding community was the spark I needed to get off my island. Going to a conference—where I didn't know a soul—and leaving with people I considered family changed the game. I can't stress enough how important it is to get around like-minded people who are doing or strive to do the same thing you're trying to accomplish. Finding a community doesn't have to revolve around money. If you can't afford a conference or an online "gated" community, don't sweat it. There are free communities on Facebook, Slack, Instagram DM Groups, Online Forums, etc. that you can start with. In fact, it's the main reason I created The Perspective-Collective FREE private group. I want hungry side hustlers like you to be able to access like-minded creatives across the world sharing feedback, resources, and encouragement. This could be a great wolf pack to start with and we'd love to have ya. Level 2: Join/Create an Accountability Group Once you join a community and start building a rapport with people, you'll notice there are certain individuals whom you most vibe with. These are perfect candidates to start an accountability group with. Think of this as your tightest homies in the wolf pack. You guys form your own mini wolf pack. When I was in the Seanwes group back in 2015-2016, I had a lot in common with people like Colin Tierney, Eric Friedensohn, and Terence Tang. We were all lettering artists who focused on kicking out content, producing products, and growing an audience. We formed a little accountability Slack group where we'd do weekly Google Hangouts. This consisted of sharing: weekly progress updates short-term and long-term goals big wins areas for improvement things we could use some extra accountability on We slowly expanded our circle with more unique and like-minded people. Our group is still going and growing, and it's like a family reunion when we link up at conferences. Level 3A: Join a Mastermind If you've outgrown what your community and accountability group can offer, a Mastermind could be what you're looking for. It's typically an exclusive niche group of high-performers in the same focus as you. You'll usually need an invite or have to pay to become a member. For example, someone like Lewis Howes has a gated community called the Inner Circle. If you want more access to him, extra accountability, and greater exposure to people who are doing what you do but at a higher level, you could pay and apply to join his Mastermind. This isn't always the case though. If you and a few from your accountability group are all hyper-growing in the same direction, you could evolve and create a tight-knit Mastermind that's laser-focused on helping each other scale your businesses. However, sometimes you may want something more intimate, hands-on, and more direct to someone. You just may need a coach or a mentor, which is where I am today. Level 3B: Hire a Coach or Mentor There's a bit of a difference between coaching and mentorship. Coaching is more of a short-term structured relationship while a mentor is a long-term relationship that could expand from coaching. Hand Holding & Holding Feet In 2019, getting a coach has single-handedly elevated my side hustle business to the next level. Back in episode 101 last year in October, I talked about how my gut was telling me to take my business and podcast in a different direction. I knew I was ready to niche down and make a bigger impact in a focused direction, but I wasn't sure which steps to take. In February this year, I was fortunate enough to link up with Tom Ross, CEO of Design Cuts. In May, I started meeting with Hand Lettering Educator and Coach, Mye De Leon. Both immediately started helping me shape the bigger picture and held my feet to the fire to take action. I was stumbling in the right direction on my own, but progress was slow. However, getting help from coaches helped me gain clarity and traction quickly on this new path. These two have already accomplished what I strive to do and have helped others achieve similar results. I desperately needed them to hold my hand and teach me the ropes. Tom helped me embrace my identity as the Side Hustle Guy and how to communicate it to others. He also helped me build the Side Hustler's War Chest and explode my email list in the first month. Mye De Leon has been teaching me email marketing, copywriting, and setting up this 3-month Side Hustler's Coaching Program. Both have played pivotal roles in helping me lay the new foundation of Perspective-Collective moving forward. Not going to lie, coaching and mentors are an investment. However, you're able to easily get your ROI plus more if you find the right fit and apply yourself. The Biggest Names You Look Up to Invested in Help The people you see making the biggest waves in the creative industry have all sought out help one way or another. The following friends of the podcast are making huge waves. However, investing in business coaches or creative mentors sparked their breakthroughs. Read through their testimonials to see how a coach helped guide them to success. Pandr Design Co. After the first few months of starting our business, we knew we didn't know how to run it, what to charge, or how to get clients. Investing in a coach was the best choice we made for our business. The first 6 months we had an hour-long call every week, and the last 6 months we had an hour-long call once a month. Working with our coach helped us set bigger goals, get consistent clients coming in, have a pricing structure, etc. It built the foundation for the 6-figure business we run today. Lisa Quine I was just starting to think about life as a full-time freelancer. I knew nothing about running a business, so I knew I would need to do something to educate myself. I hired a coach running a summer special for two 1-hour phone calls for $500. She helped me get my thoughts aligned, pushing out the negative ones, and making sure my thoughts were on things like my goal, salary, marketing, etc. After our coaching sessions, she’s also hired me for 3 mural projects and gives me great exposure across Cleveland. Mye De Leon My progress was slow. I wanted to move forward faster and leverage the knowledge of someone who’s been in the trenches and can teach me how I can reach my goals sooner. I found community first and then was recommended the right coach. We met twice a month and regularly chatted via Slack. Coaching helped me massively increase my email list, where I was able to pre-sell my course for $17k. I recommend getting a coach because it helps you achieve clarity and focus and gets you to where you want to go faster. Tom Ross I had grown a large audience on my old design blog, but it was very disengaged and felt hollow. I was relying on advertising income and felt like I hadn’t built something truly long-term and meaningful. Meeting with my mentor once a week led to the biggest win of gaining clarity. I dropped all the annoying ads. I focused on engagement over vanity metrics. Truth be told, success came further down the line, in the form of my current company Design Cuts and my personal brand. But none of this could have happened without getting that earlier foundational clarity. Accelerate Your Growth & Provide Clarity To summarize, being the lone wolf is hard. It's a lot easier to survive and thrive when a wolf pack of like-minded savage beasts has your back. It's doable, but side-hustling solo is hard. Attaching yourself to a community, accountability group, mastermind, coach and/or mentor will accelerate your growth and provide clarity. Don't be too proud to admit that you don't have it all figured out. The answer is always no if you don't ask for help! Having people help wall you through the forest is way quicker than blindly stumbling through it on your own. Get off your isolated island and find your wolf pack. Need Some Extra Help? Check out The Side Hustler's Coaching Program If you're finding that you want some extra hand-holding and accountability to take the next step, sign up for the Side Hustler's Coaching Program now to join the waitlist for September 16th's launch week. Shownotes Download your FREE Side Hustler’s War Chest Get your FREE audiobook download from Audible Join our Private Global Facebook Community of Creators Listener of the Week: dontreallycare of USA Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Video Editor: Colton Bachar Podcast music: Blookah Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast

Today's guest is Scotty Russell. He is the gentleman behind Perspective Collective and the host of the Perspective Podcast. During this episode, Scotty tells us about how he always had a notebook with him as a kid and he was always drawing and doing art. But because he was bullied through school and by his brothers, he never shared any of it. Until he did and his talent was out there in the world. We talk design, worrying about criticism, emotional intelligence, and the freelance side-hustle. Scotty is a very motivating person to talk to and this is a great interview that will make you want to bust through whatever is holding you back!

Today's guest is Scotty Russell. He is the gentleman behind Perspective Collective and the host of the Perspective Podcast. During this episode, Scotty tells us about how he always had a notebook with him as a kid and he was always drawing and doing art. But because he was bullied through school and by his brothers, he never shared any of it. Until he did and his talent was out there in the world. We talk design, worrying about criticism, emotional intelligence, and the freelance side-hustle. Scotty is a very motivating person to talk to and this is a great interview that will make you want to bust through whatever is holding you back!

The Motto: You Got This If you happen to stick around to the end of each episode, you know I sign off with "Keep showing up, keep putting in the work, and keep creating—you got this." This phrase originated from having internal dialogues in my head—and I promise you I'm not crazy. It's no secret that I'm a big believer in affirmations and positive self-talk. The inner critic in me is alive and well, and I have to do my part each day to shout over its negative and draining influence. If you're like me, you struggle with the comparison trap. There's always someone who has what you desire: a better financial situation, more followers, killer clientele, better physical appearance, etc. Operating from this mindset of lack—instead of abundance—can really fuck you up. Comparison has robbed me of so much joy in my life and has severely damaged my confidence on multiple occasions. "You got this" is the motto. It's my battle cry to fight back and keep pushing forward along my creative path. It's the motto I need to get back up to the plate each day and keep swinging after striking out. Ritual Fuel Once I began tapping into my potential around the age of 24 through 26, "You got this" became my pre-game ritual before any feat that required a little bit of courage. It's become my fuel before or during events like: rec league basketball games a heavy set or an intense cardio session in the gym before speeches or workshops sending a proposal to a client heading into a full plate of work at the day job throwing the first paint down on a mural when my wife went into labor and the early days of being a dad In the beginning, it didn't have a profound impact on me. However, when I continued to drill it in my head, my brain believed it more and more. I'm to the point, where these words not only ground me, but they empower me and give me confidence that I'll figure it out just like I always do. You're Not a Worthless Turd I drop this at the end of each episode in hopes of empowering you and lighting you up with a dose of inspiration. It's hard to do this shit on our own; sometimes we need to know we have someone else in our corner rooting for us and coaching us to become our best selves. That's why I do the podcast, and that's the person I want to be—the one in your corner when the comparison trap is getting the best of you. I want to drill this in your head so you can use it as fuel to drown out the inner critic who's trying to convince you that you're a worthless turd. You're not a worthless turd. You're a priceless gem in the shape of a glorious slice of pizza, and you were meant to do incredible things. It's hard to discover your worth if you don't show up and dig deep to reveal your potential gifts. Keep digging deep, and don't be afraid to shower yourself with positive self-talk. Who cares if people think you're crazy? Enjoy This Episode? If you enjoyed and found this episode value, I need your help spreading it! Please, share a screenshot or video of the episode you're listening to and tag me on Instagram at @prspctv_cllctv and @perspectivepodcast—and let’s connect. Shownotes Download your FREE Side Hustler's War Chest Get your FREE audiobook download from Audible Join our Private Global Facebook Community of Creators Listener of the Week: nachorev from Argentina Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Video Editor: Colton Bachar Podcast music: Blookah — Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast

Your Permission Slip to Be Weird I grew up under the impression that being weird was a bad thing. Being weird got you picked on and bullied. Being normal is what helped you fit in. I was definitely a weirdo growing up. Getting severely bullied made it hard for me to express myself as I got older. Popularity and acceptance are what I craved, so I did everything in my power to "blend in" with the cool crowd. It's funny how the theme has changed now that we're creative adults. We're told not to lose that child-like imagination. We're told being weird is a good thing and that showcasing your uniqueness is how you'll stand out. Back in episode 81, I gave you 3 Super Convincing Reasons to Show Your Weird and Wave Your Freak Flag. That episode was more of a permission slip for me to dig deep on the weird shit I loved as a kid and the weird shit I love as an immature adult. After attending Crop Conference last month, some of the biggest juggernauts in the creative realm all touched on this theme of embracing your weird—it just so happens they are all past guests on the podcast as well. I felt inspired to combine their episodes with my thoughts and go deeper on this weird subject of showing your weird. Today's episode is now a permission slip for you to connect the dots of your weirdness as a kid with your weirdness as an adult. Of course, I'm dishing out a fun drawing challenge with this to give you something to act on. More details on this at the end. Let's start with going over the juggernaut speaker quotes from Crop and use those as our foundation. Crop Conference Fuel James Victore During James's keynote, he talked a bit about his book Feck Perfuction. In his book and one of the messages he constantly drives home to creatives is the quote of, "The things that made you weird as a kid make you great today." This quote formed the theme for today's assignment and got me thinking about all the weird things I loved as the kid and how those weird things influence me today. You can listen to James back on episode 117 of the podcast. Jon Contino Jon Contino's talk was literally titled Born Weird. He embraces the shit that's made him weird in his past and influenced his style and the person he's become today. A quote that resonates with me the most was when he said, "Creatives get to be weird forever." He said that shit with so much conviction that it let me know I'm going in the right direction. You can listen to Jon back on episode 123 of the podcast. Lauren Hom Last, but definitely not least, Lauren Hom rocked the stage and dropped some gems about how her passion projects spoke to her inner weirdo. I'm meshing two quotes into one here when she said, "Embrace your inner weird. The things you love outside of design are the things you should explore in your work." It got me thinking: how can I incorporate the weird things I loved in the past and in the present and show more of it in my work? Again, more fuel to this drawing challenge I'm giving you shortly. You can listen to Lauren back on episode 75 of the podcast. My Past & Present Weirdness Since I've been back from the conference, I gave myself a little homework assignment to dig deep into the weird shit I was obsessed about when I was a kid. In no particular order, things I loved as a kid: Pizza Aliens and outer space Anything paranormal and supernatural Trees, clouds, and sun rays Cartoons: Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Rugrats, Reading Rainbow Bob Ross Football and Basketball Cards Dragons and Grim Reapers Video games Pokemon and Zelda on Gameboy Mario on Nintendo Shaq-F, Sonic, and Tecmo Superbowl on Sega Final Fantasy, Tony Hawk, Madden, and Spyro on PlayStation Cool S Pencils, fine liners, black and white, and details over white space Laffy Taffy Jokes The things I love as an immature adult: Pizza Aliens and outer space Anything paranormal and supernatural Trees, clouds, and sun rays Coffee Cats Art supplies Game of Thrones Puns, Dad Jokes, Wordplay, and Alliteration Pencils, fine liners, black and white, and details over white space Fitness When I list out my past and present weird obsessions, I can easily start connecting the dots and see the overlap in my work. The Future Weird of Perspective-Collective As I niche down and start the next chapter of Perspective-Collective, there are a few things I'm tapping into as I grow to know more about myself. My goal isn't to attract and appeal to the widest audience possible like it once was. In this day and age of social media, people crave an authentic connection to those who aren't afraid to be their true selves in their work—both online and offline. I realize it's more important than ever to wave my freak flag with pride. Doing so helps me attract the right type of freaks to my tribe who vibe to my own flavor of weird. The rest can unfollow, and hopefully, they'll find their own community of like-minded weirdos. Waving my freak flag moving forward involves understanding, embracing, and showing those weird things that make me unique from my past and present to shape my future. That's where this challenge comes to play if you're vibin' to today's message. The Challenge: Show Your Weird #PCFlashSheet I want you to create a flash sheet (a collective collage of drawings) of the things that made you weird as a kid and now as an adult. Use my episode artwork today as an example or search Flash Sheet on Instagram or Pinterest to get a better idea of what I'm talking about. Tag me on Instagram on both my @prspctv_cllctv and @perspectivepodcast accounts and use #PCFlashSheet to make sure I see it. That's it! Use color, go black and white, make a photo collage, whatever you want. I'm hoping today's message and this challenge gets you one step closer to showing up and being your truest, weirdest self—the weirder the better. Enjoy This Episode? If you enjoyed and found this episode value, I need your help spreading it! Please, share a screenshot or video of the episode you're listening to and tag me on Instagram at @prspctv_cllctv and @perspectivepodcast—and let’s connect. Shownotes Check out more details for Crop Cruise 2020 Download your FREE Side Hustler's War Chest Get your FREE audiobook download from Audible Join our Private Global Facebook Community of Creators Listener of the Week: decentdesigner usa Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Video Editor: Colton Bachar Podcast music: Blookah — Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast

This week, we're joined by one of our favourite people in the whole world, mister Scotty Russell. Scotty is an incredible illustrator and hand letterer, and he runs Perspective Collective, which is an amazing creative community and podcast. Scotty is super passionate about the art of the creative side hustle and he's going to be bringing some serious value about this for all of you lovely listeners today. So without further ado, let's get into the show!

This week we have two of the greatest creative minds to come directly out of the Midwest, Ben Hagarty and Scotty Russell sit down with me to answer one question, “What advice would they give to their 18-year old-selves?”  Getting shit done and creating a mental environment to grind has always been the way that Ben Hagarty and Scotty Russell have conducted themselves in their business lives, but it wasn't always that way. It took Ben and Scotty years to develop actionable goals that would affect the work they put in, but it was all worth it because they knew the value of themselves. They created value for others without the intent of getting anything out of it, they worked to prove themselves. Ben Hagarty is the mastermind behind the creative production community called Black With No Cream, this community is full of creatives from those who are just starting out all the way up to industry experts who are looking to give advice. Scotty Russell is the brains of Perspective Collective, an Illustrative Lettering Artist who's mission is to deliver motivational content accompanied by original, uplifting artwork. Scotty is by far one of the most motivational and well-spoken people I know._____________Show notes 0:00-0:33 Update with Trevor0:34-0:58 Trevor's introduction0:59-1:45 Ben and Scotty introduce themselves and their communities1:46-2:42 Sponsorship spot, Ladyboss2:43-5:15 Ben talking about his overseas travel with Beyonce5:16-10:48 Scotty touches on becoming a father and talking about how the decisions you make impact all aspects of life, but making sure to be intentional with your time10:49-12:44 10 Things you'd tell your 18 year old self, each guest goes through their list 12:45-14:00 Ben talks about his first, not selling himself short14:01-15:44 Scotty talks about his first tip, patience and consistency will always pay off 15:45-16:46 Trevor's first tip, time is the most important asset you have16:47-17:07 Shout out for coffee from Corey, I'm glad y'all liked it..17:08-18:09 Ben's second tip, nothing happens overnight18:10-21:30 Scotty's Second tip, say yes to a lot of things until you can say no21:31-24:35 Trevor's second tip, go sooner24:36-25:50 Scotty's third tip, get out of your comfort zone25:51-28:00 Trevor talks about playing the long game28:01-30:32 Ben's third tip, you will always be a student30:33-34:25 Scotty's fourth tips, it's not about what you know, it's about who you know 34:26-45:50 Don't waste time on things or people that don't bring value45:52-52:30 Trevor speaks about taking care of your body and the mind will follow52:31-53:34 Ben talks about the value of starting youtube in 201953:35-55:18 Scotty's motto, you can't make everyone happy, you're not pizza55:19-57:45 Trevor says, stop trying to prove your worth57:46-1:01 Ben says why people shouldn't be afraid to raise your prices1:01:10-1:03:15 Money and opportunities will come to you when you're ready and you have to take the initiative to get it1:03:16-1:05:56 Turning off the distractions and listen to someone who is important in your life 1:05:51-1:08:12 Final parting messages_____________Follow Scotty on:https://Perspective-Collective.comhttps://PerspectivePodcast.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/prspctv_cll...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perspective…Follow Ben on:Blackwithnocream.comhttps://www.instagram.com/blackwithnocream/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benrealvsworld/This episode of the Formula is brought to you by LadyBoss. LadyBoss is a premium nutrition company that provides the best weight loss supplements in the world for women.  To sign up for LadyBoss or research their amazing nutrition products, head here: http://bit.ly/ladyboss7 

In this episode of the Creative Waffle podcast, I'm joined by the host of the Perspective Collective, Scotty Russell. We talk work ethic, comparing yourself to others, content, anxiety, self-awareness, showing up and podcasting. Hope you enjoy the show. Find Scotty here: https://perspective-collective.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Prspctv_cllctv/ ------------ Design Cuts: https://www.designcuts.com/?ref=BlueDeer ------------ Creative Waffle Live more news coming soon. ------------ More blue deer stuff... Website: https://www.bluedeer.design Podcast: https://www.creativewaffle.club Blog: https://www.bluedeer.design/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluedeerdesign Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bluedeerdesign Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlueDeerDesignUK/ Email: hello@bluedeerdesign.co.uk

Scotty Russell focuses on injecting positive vibes through illustrations, lettering and murals. You’ll also find a steady theme of pizza, cats, outer space and coffee in his personal work. He started drawing at a very young age but it was only until he got the courage to begin sharing his work, everything in his life changed for the better.     He started sharing his thoughts through blogging via the name Perspective-Collective to help others develop the mentality of going towards things that are scary and to see the silver lining in every situation.     Scotty’s mission is to help creatives find their gift, establish a side hustle and win the battle against the inner critic…all outside their day jobs.     And that’s not all, Scotty tells us how saying ‘yes’ to one opportunity that came his way, opened up a whole new career for him as a public speaker, teacher, and a podcast host.     If you are someone looking for a powerful inspiration to make a change in your life, be sure to listen to this episode. Connect with Scotty :  https://perspective-collective.com/  Scotty on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/PerspectiveCollective/  Scotty on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/Prspctv_cllctv/  Scotty on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/scottyrussell88/  Scotty on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Prspctv_cllctv  Subscribe to the podcast:  https://apple.co/2GOStCH  Youtube:  https://youtu.be/pKmE3xFC3e0

This episode is brought to you by Crop Conference Crop is a 2-day celebration of creativity, community and inspiration April 18th & 19th in Baton Rouge, LA. Register today before it sells out and use Promo Code PIZZA at checkout to be entered to win a FREE ticket to their PopUp Crop Fall event! Check out the full lineup at Cropcons.com Keeping Your Head Up and Handling It with Adé Hogue Social media has trained us to compare our lives to others and try to "catch up" with others. In reality, we’re running our own race. The path we’re on is our own. The highlights and successes come from the hard work we put in. The adversity we overcome propels us forward and allows us to grow. In this race, you’ll be presented with opportunities, obstacles, and risk; they all require you to act in the moment, but that’s life, right? As Tupac said, “Keep your head up and handle it.” Queue today’s guest: Chicago-based art director, designer & letterer, Adé Hogue. Adé’s worked with brands like Under Armour, Nike, Mercedes-Benz, and The Obama Foundation (to name a few) in his short tenure of full-time freelancing. He’s a wizard when it comes to experimenting with different mediums like flowers, utilizing natural light in his photography, and utilizing his style and voice to make an impact. Today, Adé and I talk about: Transitioning into full-time freelance and the lows that come with the highs Highlighting black lettering artists Acting in the moment instead of living with regret Bouncing back from adversity and finding the silver lining Side projects, pizza, and running (because they’re all related, right?) Whether you’re a runner or not, this episode with Adé will have ideas running through your head! Enjoy This Episode? Let me know what you think. Take a screenshot of the podcast episode you’re listening to and tag me on Instagram @perspectivepodcast and @prspctv_cllctv —and let’s connect. For the full shownotes, visit Perspective-Collective.com/112 Shownotes Connect with Adé Hogue: Website | Instagram Black Lettering Artists to follow: Cymone Wilder | Hust Wilson | Vocal Type Co. People of Craftsmanship by Tim Goodman & Amélie Lamont Listener of the Week: i.am.mky Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Podcast music: Blookah — Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Subscribe & Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review to become a future Listener of the Week Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Subscribe via your favorite podcast player Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast

This episode is brought to you by Crop Conference Crop is a 2-day celebration of creativity, community and inspiration April 18th & 19th in Baton Rouge, LA. Register today before it sells out and use Promo Code PIZZA at checkout to be entered to win a FREE ticket to their PopUp Crop Fall event! Check out the full lineup at Cropcons.com Growing an Audience & Profitable Side Hustle with Becca Courtice of The Happy Ever Crafter Many of us have this creative side hustle dream we’d love to live out, but the biggest thing holding us back is ourselves. Queue tdoday's guest: Becca Courtice, who runs TheHappyEverCrafter and makes shit look pretty all the way from Ottawa, Canada. She truly inspires me as I see her operate her online business, as she puts her entire focus on becoming a master of her craft and then serves her audience by teaching them want they want to know. Today we talk about: Growing an online tribe and listening to your audience Making time to grind outside a day job and build a profitable business Scheduling your success and showing up with intention The importance of routines, meditation, and your physical and mental health Plus tons of tips for best use of brushes and markers I have no doubt this one will encourage you show up with intention and take that next step in your creative grind. Enjoy This Episode? Let me know what you think. Take a screenshot of the podcast episode you’re listening to and tag me on Instagram @perspectivepodcast and @prspctv_cllctv or Twitter—and let’s connect. For the full shownotes, visit Perspective-Collective.com/110 Shownotes Follow Becca: Instagram | Website | Private Facebook Group Join The Perspective-Collective Private Facebook Group family and connect with like-minded creatives Podcast support by Iron Bean Coffee Co. Listener of the Week: kitsunyume Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Podcast music: Blookah — Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Crypto Donation Support Bitcoin: 1j5vE64PWgkJHGnGSrAiJK82bnfn7fBgu Ethereum: 0xFf60588C873E34235dE371450d58129d8d7cAC16 Litecoin: LerTFZfvtW4iH7qJM8vSE9mkdQA24yKmB6 Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast

Steal Like an Artist, not a Creative Copycat “Imitation is about copying. Emulation is when imitation goes one step further, breaking through into your own thing.” - Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist When you're a kid, copying is second nature. It's a harmless and innocent way to express yourself and develop some artistic skills. When you get older, copying is no longer so innocent—especially when you pass someone else's work off as your own. That's why, today, we're going to talk about riding waves, stealing waves, and making waves of your own. There are ways to emulate without plagiarism. There are ways to put your own unique flavor on a style to stand out from the noise. Don't die a copycat, be a different breed. Let me know what you think. Take a screenshot of the podcast episode you’re listening to and tag me on Instagram @perspectivepodcast and @prspctv_cllctv or Twitter—and let’s connect. For the full shownotes, visit Perspective-Collective.com/104 — Shownotes Book: Austin Kleon - Steal Like an Artist Listener of the Week: Eyerollcreative Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Podcast music: Blookah — Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Crypto Donation Support Bitcoin: 1j5vE64PWgkJHGnGSrAiJK82bnfn7fBgu Ethereum: 0xFf60588C873E34235dE371450d58129d8d7cAC16 Litecoin: LerTFZfvtW4iH7qJM8vSE9mkdQA24yKmB6 Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast Stitcher

It’s good to have a plan in life, especially with your creative pursuits...yet things don't always go according to plan. You've learned by now that life isn't always sunshine and rainbows. You have to deal with the darkness and tornados that will throw you off course. For my wife and me, 2018's motto has been strictly about "Rolling With Life's Punches." Throughout her pregnancy and our now-parenthood, we've had our fair share of bumps in the road. Each time we remind ourselves of this motto. I've also tattooed this motto on my mind as I juggle my daily grind between the day job and the Perspective-Collective. Today's episode is about responding to the punches life throws at you. Whatever happens, happens. I talk about: The whirlwind of 2018 Focusing on what you can and can't control Flexing your ability to embrace the blows Responding to life's punches Lace up your boxing gloves and get ready to step into the ring. You're in for a fight worth fighting, and it's time to punch back. — Shownotes Dose of Inspiration: @Kayturp Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Podcast music: Blookah — Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Crypto Donation Support Bitcoin: 1j5vE64PWgkJHGnGSrAiJK82bnfn7fBgu Ethereum: 0xFf60588C873E34235dE371450d58129d8d7cAC16 Litecoin: LerTFZfvtW4iH7qJM8vSE9mkdQA24yKmB6 Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast Stitcher Tune In

Today we dive into Part 2 of the 3 Life Lessons Learned From Pizza Series. Life Lesson #2 is a reminder to Take Life One Slice at a Time First, I share with you my story of hitting rock bottom on my way to overcoming adversity and starting Perspective-Collective. Next, I give you 3 ways to equip you with the long-term mindset to pursue your creative career and the adversity that comes with it. Get Familiar With Failure - Divorce your comfort zone and say YES Keep Swinging - You're one scroll or swipe away from having a breakthrough Don't Lose Sight of Why You Started - Don't let failure suck the fun out of your dream — Sponsor RetroSupply is the leading provider of Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, and Affinity design resources to make your work stand in clicks or drags of your mouse or stylus. Use Promo Code SCOTTY20 to save 20% OFF all their design resources like brushes, actions, textures, and fonts. — Shownotes Pizza Party Sticker Packs to Celebrate the Series Episode references: You're Not Pizza: Pt.1 (093) Pursuing Your Personal Legend (091) Focus on the Next Play (051) Dose of Inspiration: @ShaunaParmesan Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Podcast music: Blookah — Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Crypto Donation Support Bitcoin: 1j5vE64PWgkJHGnGSrAiJK82bnfn7fBgu Ethereum: 0xFf60588C873E34235dE371450d58129d8d7cAC16 Litecoin: LerTFZfvtW4iH7qJM8vSE9mkdQA24yKmB6 Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast Stitcher Tune In

The Formula - No Time to Pump the Brakes & Feel Sorry for Yourself This week we're doing something different as I'm always looking to shake things up and bring you value. Since my son was recently born, I took last week and this week off from the podcast. I desperately needed to recharge. More importantly, I needed to find my groove in molding myself to be a kick-ass dad and baby raising partner to my wife. Instead of radio silence, I'm sharing an episode I was recently on for my friend Trevor Carlson's The Formula Podcast. This time around, you'll hear me interviewed on topics that are a staple in what I share with you on a weekly basis. Today, Trevor has me peel back the layers and give you the formula for: Tackling imposter syndrome Allocating hours to your dream Dusting yourself off after dealing with the "funk"? Getting out of your head and getting back to work Shownotes Listen to The Formula Podcast: Apple Podcast Stitcher Overcast Connect with The Formula Podcast: Website Facebook Instagram

On this episode of the Formula, Trevor Carlson and Scotty Russell, Perspective-Collective and host of the Perspective Podcast, discuss Imposter Syndrome and how to run right through it.  Trevor and Scotty discuss: -What is imposter syndrome? -What is the "funk"? -What tactics they use to get out of their head and work  This episode of the Formula is brought to you by LadyBoss. LadyBoss is a premium nutrition company that provides the best weight loss supplements in the world for women. To sign up for LadyBoss or research their amazing nutrition products, head here: http://bit.ly/ladyboss7   This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. Athletic Greens is a daily greens supplement that creates a delicious daily habit that sets you up for a healthy future. To get started getting your daily greens, click here: http://bit.ly/athleticgreens1    Follow Scotty on: Perspective-Collective Perspective Podcast Instagram: PRSPCTV_CLLCTV Instagram: PerspectivePodcast   This episode was produced by Helixacademy.co and theformulapodcast.com  Follow The Formula Podcast on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theformulapodcast/  Music provided by Moods: open.spotify.com/artist/14uVJsPC4DByeuD0cq36ez 

The Scotty Russell Special Summary of The Alchemist First off, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is by far my favorite book and has massively impacted my creative side quest. After reading it with my ears for the millionth time, I felt compelled to give you the Scotty Russell Special Summary. To start off, there's a young boy named Santiago who loves to travel and desires to be in control of his life. He decides to become a shepherd despite his father's wishes for him to become a priest. One day, he dreams of a buried treasure in Egypt by the pyramids. As he tries to decipher what this dream means, he makes acquaintances with an old king. The king states that this dream of treasure was part of his personal legend. Santiago spends years pursuing his treasure and personal legend. He deals with waves of adversity—as it seems there is a force trying to deter him from finding the treasure as he gets closer to his goal. Eventually, Santiago not only reaches the treasure, but he also realizes how much he's grown on the journey. Overall, it wasn't solely about finding the treasure, it was about the transformation along the way. While this book is fiction, the author summarizes what I feel is a blend of the hero's journey, Law of Attraction, and the overall pursuit of your dreams. The Alchemist parallels the grit and tenacity we must conjure within ourselves to seek out our creative potential. Furthermore, the story informs us of the adversity and unforeseeable forces we will deal with along the way. The following are the four main ingredients for the secret sauce of pursuing your own personal legend. Let's set out on a journey to uncover that buried treasure within you. What's a Personal Legend? Before I dish up the first ingredient, I think we need to answer what is a personal legend? Later on, I will explain what I believe is my personal legend during this phase of my life. Essentially, a personal legend is one's destiny. It's identifying your purpose and having the desire to become the greatest version of yourself. Pretty simple, right? Ingredient #1: Don't Believe the World's Biggest Lie During the old king's explanation of what a personal legend is, he insists that Santiago not believe in "The World's Biggest Lie." The old king says this: "At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie.” This means that we believe the lie that we have the inability to choose and be in control of our personal legends. Sadly, many people operate with the mindset that they can never catch a break and that the world is conspiring against them. They passively exist and don't allow themselves to pursue their dreams. It's easy to see the world as a threatening place. The more you view it this way, the more the world will mimic your beliefs as your thoughts attract your reality. We are afraid to let ourselves dream, which restricts us from discovering the path we're supposed to find. Many of us are afraid of becoming one massive disappointing failure. Instead of taking control of the wheel, we choose to settle and become the passenger in our own vehicle. Truth is, the only thing holding you back is you. Any obstacle or hurdle you face along the way is just another stepping stone to uncovering your personal legend and the treasure within you. There's a path laid out for you, but you have to know what you want and pursue it. Ingredient #2: Know What You Want What do you want in life? Can you visualize yourself achieving it? It's hard to take the necessary steps to pursue your personal legend if you don't have a clue about what you want. One of the most powerful quotes from the book is, "When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his or her dream." This always puts me in check and makes me ask myself, "How badly do I want it?" If I 'kind of' want it, I'm going to 'kind of' see some results. I used to think the Law of Attraction was a crock of shit. Yet, books like The Secret, E-Squared by Pam Grout, and Think & Grow Rich have shown me the power in visualization, positive affirmation, and having laser focus. By equipping these things in my mindset, I can make shit happen. I want to challenge you now: what is it you truly want or desire to achieve in life? Write it down and place it where you can see it each day. Speak it out loud to yourself every morning and evening. Make a game plan on how you can attain it and chase it down like an absolute savage. You will face adversity along the way, but that's all a part of the game. Once you know what you want, it's time to watch for the omens and trust yourself to follow them. Ingredient #3: Follow the Omens Now you're in control of the wheel, and you have a destination in mind. In order to get there, you have to pay attention to the signposts of life. (Keep in mind, there's no Google Maps or GPS device in this metaphor.) When pursuing your personal legend, be aware and follow the omens along the way. They are guiding you to the treasure. Omens will eventually abandon you the more you ignore them—and especially when you refuse to pursue your personal legend. Early on in the book, the old king informs Santiago about the omens he'll encounter on his adventure. As he follows the omens, they lead him to befriend the right people who help provide him with food, shelter, and money along the way. ###Creative Career Omens### In terms of your creative career, you might be missing so many everyday omens. Omens can operate in terms of engagement, analytics, repetitive questions, milestones, opportunities, recognition, etc. Here are some examples you may notice: Say you're putting out a specific style of work you enjoy and are good at cranking out. The engagement slowly starts building behind it. To me, this is an omen that you should pour more gasoline on the fire and do more of what works. You have no idea where it could lead. Imagine you constantly have people asking you the same patterns of questions like: What pen or program are you using? What books do you read the most? How do you approach pricing a mural and what supplies do you use? How do you build an audience? These are some of the questions I get asked all the time. Instead of answering them over and over, I recognized the pattern and made resources for them. This allows me to save me time, provide value, and potentially monetize it in the future. ###Getting Resourceful (Literally)### You can build a resource page like I have at Perspective-Collective.com/Resources that showcases every tool I use, every book I recommend, and other assets to I've used to elevate my own game. My goal is to provide a one-stop source for folks to reference that also is filled with Amazon Affiliate links. I provide you value while providing an opportunity to monetize my time. Often I get asked about the programs, brushes, or design kits I use. I'll then build resource files for The Perspective-Collective Facebook community, another resource I can direct people. Again, it saves me time and provides value. Finally, I continue to get the same questions pertaining to selling products, doing freelance, sharing your work and overcoming comparison. From here, I'll source the most common questions and build episodes and content addressing them, or I'll seek out guests that are more qualified to speak on the subject. I can then redirect people to those resources, which again saves time and provides value. As creatives, we have to train ourselves to look out for these omens and act on them. Ingredient #4: Make a Choice Later in the book, Santiago crosses paths with The Alchemist. During their conversation, the Alchemist delivers a heater: "There is only one way to learn. It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey." Santiago's journey has always been based on the choices he's made—from choosing to become a shepherd to taking risks that could mean death. Above all, he always took matters into his own hands. Even though putting the decision in someone else's hands is easier, it always comes with a cost. Think about your creative career—it's filled with choices and dilemmas you must face daily: Are you working on your craft each day and staying consistent in sharing your work? Do you get up early or stay up late to meet a deadline? When you fail at a task, do you wave the white flag, or do you use it as a lesson learned? You always have a choice, especially in responding to adversity. ###Beauty in the Struggle### Life threw catastrophic curveballs at Santiago during his journey. He was robbed and faced the threat of death on multiple occasions. Each time, he could've given up and gone back to tending sheep. However, he CHOSE to see chasing his personal legend as an adventure. He KNEW that each hiccup was a part of a resistance he had to overcome to find his treasure. Chasing down your dream isn't going to be a cake walk. If it was easy, everyone would be happy millionaires, and there'd be no struggle. There's beauty in the struggle—it's the shit we overcome that leads to the sunshine, like back in episode 58. To make things happen in life, you have to make a choice. Take ownership and respond accordingly. Try not to dwell on your decision and move forward; there are plenty of more choices you'll need to make on your path. The Universe Wants You to Win My Personal Legend When I read this book for the millionth time, it really caused me to reflect on my own personal legend. Pardon the cheese and lack of originality, but I believe my overall purpose is to be like the old king—to help others seek out and pursue their personal legends. Due to multiple back injuries playing college football, I got into coaching pretty young. There was something powerful about playing a role in helping someone take their game to the next level. This love for coaching evolved into my love for being a creative cheerleader in my art, writing, speaking and podcasting. Don't get me wrong, I'm still selfish and live for the glory and affirmations. However, I realize I'm just a small role player in the grand scheme of things. I second guess myself and my abilities on the daily; the inner critic is always trying to convince that what I have to offer is meaningless. I don't have a remedy to rewire myself not to think this way. However, I've trained myself to read the omens. ###My Omens### The omens I've learned to tune into are: the engagement I get when I share my work online -the podcast analytics and the love you send my way -the spontaneous opportunities that show up when I'm in a pinch for money -the insane amount of fucking joy I feel when someone tells me they found their groove with their work It's these types of omens that let me know I'm on the right path to finding that treasure. Each day, I'm a little more focused on exactly what I want in life. The more I believe that the universe wants me to win, the more and more opportunities that seem to come my way. This book is a constant reminder that chasing my personal legend isn't easy. The bumps in the road are necessary for growth along the way. Again, the four ingredients I share with you today are what I believe make up the secret sauce to finding your personal legend are: Don't believe the World's biggest lie Know what you want Follow the omens Owning your choices We all have a personal legend waiting for us—it's up to you find the treasure within. Shownotes Books: The Alchemist The Secret E-Square (E2) Think & Grow Rich Dose of Inspiration: @benrealvsworld Podcast Editor: Aine Brennan Shownotes Editor: Paige Garland Podcast music: Blookah — Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an Apple Podcast Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Crypto Donation Support Bitcoin: 1j5vE64PWgkJHGnGSrAiJK82bnfn7fBgu Ethereum: 0xFf60588C873E34235dE371450d58129d8d7cAC16 Litecoin: LerTFZfvtW4iH7qJM8vSE9mkdQA24yKmB6 Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play Music Overcast Stitcher Tune In

Scotty Russell brings his wisdom as we talk about the value of writing and polling your audience. The importance of growing an email list and how growing Your Audience is Like a Video Game, you’ve gotta jump the fear hurdles to get to the next level. Poll your audience, listen and You will hear what they need but you need to listen. Scotty gives actionable steps for anyone trying to build a social media presence and grow an audience online or grow an online business showcasing your creative talent and skills. Writing is where it all starts. From Art to podcasts to workshops even talks. Scotty also talks about using Patreon and how it isn’t begging, but rather, it’s a way for people to say, "I support you'" when they may not need or want to buy a product. Scotty went solo yolo at creative south in 2015 and was on stage in 2016, doing things that scare you and that make you uncomfortable are important to your growth. Talk, Write & Post, Even when no ones listening, Life is Short Find Your Tribe Even when no one’s listening, reading or liking. Continue to TALK, WRITE and POST through the silence. Be Yourself, talk about what you are into. Scotty loves Cats, Pizza, and Space Onboarding Your Tribe, Welcome your Tribe like Family, Good Vibes Build Tribes. Practice everything: Practice Writing, Practice Talking, Practice Drawing Become a part of the Design Recharge Family and get access to the interviews each week. Sign up at http://www.rechargingyou.com Find full show notes at: http://bit.ly/DR-257 THE DESIGN RECHARGE SHOW: Scotty Russell // How to Find Your Tribe Episode 257. Part four of the Scaling Your Business Series Aired Wednesday, May 23, 2018. This week we interviewed one of my go-to people for getting inspired. His story is not only inspiring and littered with grit, he is vulnerable and loves to help the creative community. He loves them so much he has created a community, a podcast, and shared how to do this along his journey. He is always growing and clarifying his focus. You will be amazed by this letterer, designer, illustrator, cat loving, pizza dude. I am so proud to learn from and share my good friend, Scotty Russell with you. To check out Scotty and hear his podcast and see his work go to: PerspectivePodcast.com Perspective-Collective.com Or Follow him on Instagram at: Instagram.com/prspctv_cllctv @prspctv_cllctv Instagram.com/perspectivepodcast
 @perspectivepodcast Or join his Facebook community https://www.facebook.com/groups/ThePerspectiveCollective/ And you can Support his podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PerspectivePodcast 
 Find more great episodes at www.rechargingyou.com Connect on Instagram & Twitter: @designrecharge

Diane Gibbs: A Champion for Creatives Somedays you just lack the spark. You know, that feeling or reason that gets you stoked to jump out of bed and work on shit that lights your soul on fire. Often it’s hard to see the gold we have buried within us. The inner critic blinds us from catching a glimpse of our potential. Sometimes having an outside voice of reason can help break through that wall and give you the needed push to light that spark again. Sometimes you just need a champion or cheerleader in your corner. While it may not be easy to be your own champion, you always have the ability to champion someone else. People appreciate being appreciated. You never know the impact you can have on someone by spending a few moments of your existence to pepper them with a verbal pat on the back. Maybe it’s just my background in coaching as I’ve had some asshole coaches who would destroy my confidence when I played sports. Its shown me the power of building someone up to help them perform at their best. Someone who is a champion for creatives and does so much for our industry is Diane Gibbs. There’s an endless list of reasons why Diane deserves recognition as she: Molds our future generation as a professor Has the biggest and upcoming names share their stories on her weekly Design Recharge Show Organizes and host events for creatives through her AIGA Mobile Chapter Volunteers her time to help provide an incredible experience for people at Creative South I could keep going but honestly, Perspective-Collective would not be where it’s at today without Diane. Door Builder & Opener True story. after writing shitty blog posts for almost a year, Diane offered me one of the biggest breakthroughs of my life when she asked me to be a Keynote at a conference she was hosting in Alabama. It scared me to death as doing your first talk in front of over 100 people isn’t easy, but reluctantly AND thankfully I said yes. That opportunity jump-started my speaking career which then got me into teaching workshops and most importantly, starting this podcast. Diane is a champion for creatives like you and me. I’m absolutely honored to have this brilliant woman on the show and I know you’re going to love her as much as I do. If you find value in this episode, please give it a share via Instagram or Twitter and share the love. Shownotes Follow Diane Gibbs: Twitter  | DRS Instagram  | Instagram  | Facebook Listen to Design Recharge Show Sign up for the Design Recharge Newsletter Dose of Inspiration: @jakegivens Podcast editor: Aine Brennan Podcast music: Blookah Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an iTunes Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Crypto Donation Support Bitcoin: 1j5vE64PWgkJHGnGSrAiJK82bnfn7fBgu Ethereum: 0xFf60588C873E34235dE371450d58129d8d7cAC16 Litecoin: LerTFZfvtW4iH7qJM8vSE9mkdQA24yKmB6 Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: iTunes Spotify Google Play Radio Overcast Stitcher

Make Time for You & See Progress on Your Creative Side Hustle Are you the type of person who wings shit each day and wonders why you're not making consistent progress? If you are, it's okay because this used to be me too. Over the past four years, I've slowly gotten to the point where I approach each day with intention like Tony Diaz mentioned in episode 52. Each day I have a focused plan of attack and I'm always going for the jugular. Hands down, the biggest question I get asked by people on my newsletter, Facebook group, emails or social media is: "How do I find balance and make time to work on Perspective-Collective with a day job, wife and other commitments?" By no means am I even remotely close to being an expert at time management and productivity, but I've found what works and doesn't work for me. I hope what I share can help you find what works for you. The following are the five biggest tips that got me the biggest results in pursuing my side hustle: Take one bite at a time Plan your attack Eat the worm Play Uno Eliminate distractions Take One Bite at a Time When we get started, it's easy to fall victim to comparison and feel like you're not doing enough when you see someone else crushing it. Often, our ambition is larger than reality and we think we have to eat a whole pizza in one bite. While it's great you want to start a blog, a podcast and add video all at once, I think it's best to slow your (pizza) roll. I feel you're biting more than you can chew and setting yourself up for defeat if you're: attempting to do all of this outside a day job with possibly a family without having a defined process When I started over 4 years ago, it was simply posting drawings consistently on Instagram. Once I locked down that process I took on blogging. I slowly added a newsletter on top of that. Two years later I added the podcast and somewhere in between, I would take on some freelance. I suggest taking things slow and steady as you don't have to climb Mt. Everest in a day. Start with one bite at a time with realistic expectations even if it's only 30 minute to and hour a day. A little bit each day adds up. Once you lock down your process, take a bigger bite and add the next thing to your plate. Planning Your Attack I've learned the most successful people don't just roll out of bed and just shit productivity. They schedule their success. When I stopped winging it and actually planned my daily attack, it made decision making so much easier. While I still over commit myself from time to time, saying NO is slowly becoming a secret weapon. Here's how I plan my attack. Sundays I jot down in my planner all the tasks I need to get done in the week and when they need completed by. I then prioritize them with the A1 Steak Sauce Method. The top urgent tasks get a ranking of A1-A5 Medium tasks get a ranking of B1-B5 Low priority that I can push back get a C1-C5 Anything after that is insignificant and I can eliminate it. Throughout the week, I plan that A1 category task the night before which I share later in My Weekday Routine section. 3. Eating the Worm I've always been a night owl, but waking up early has been the key to my productivity the last few years. The book My Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod is definitely a worthwhile read if you need a kick in the ass to try it. I believe in doing the most important task first that will scale my business when I have the most willpower. The most important tasks for me that require the most willpower usually revolve around writing or editing for the podcast, workshops or speeches. Working a day job and opening myself up to the world's distractions takes a massive toll on my willpower. There's no way I have the focus nor desire to do my best writing when I punch out. Getting up early and eating the worm sucked in the beginning and can still be hard today. However, I started slowly getting up 10 minutes earlier each week which helped me adjust. Working before the world wakes up provides the best focus for me and I usually devour that A1 task before I get to work at 7am. That productivity high is addicting and makes getting up early easier when you see the progress. Playing Uno Playing Uno is just a fun way of saying focus on doing one thing each day that will help get you the most results. Looking at a massive to-do list can be overwhelming and can paralyze you from taking any action. By focusing on doing the one thing (generally the A1 task) you planned the night before, it makes things more objective and manageable. When you knock out that one thing, you will no doubt feel accomplished. If you have leftover margin time aside from life priorities like family and work, you can then proceed to attack your A2 task or B1 task. I can't recommend enough reading / listening to the books The One Thing by Gary Keller and Essentialism by George McKeown. These two will definitely help you sort out what's most important to focus on. Eliminate Distractions It's so easy for us to get distracted as we've become addicted to checking our phones, computers and tv's so we don't miss out on anything and everything. When it's grind time, I eliminate all distractions so I can get into the zone. For me, I kill all notifications on my phone in general except for texts in case of emergency. You do not need social media notifications on your phone. That shit will distract you from keeping the main thing the main thing! I always have Do Not Disturb mode set on my phone from 9pm - 6am so nothing bugs me while I try to wind down through when I eat the worm and play Uno. I'll even turn it on when I need to practice a speech, record the podcast or get lost in a drawing. If you're looking for more ways to cut distractions, I highly recommend reading or listening to Deep Work by Cal Newport. My Weekday Routine to Make Time: 4:30am - 6am - Eat the worm and play Uno 10:00am - 10 minute productive burst break (sketch concepts, post on social media, respond to messages) 12:00pm - 1:00 pm lunch break - Finish A1 task for the day or start A2 or B1 3:00pm - 10 minute productive burst break (sketch concepts, post on social media, respond to messages) 4:15pm - 5:30 pm - Gym to destress and block out the world 6:00pm - 8:30pm - Low willpower work depending on Emily's schedule (drawing, social scheduling, responding to messages) 9pm - Plan my attack for tomorrow Find What Works for You Everyone is different and no one's life is the same. This is what works for me and I'm always fine tuning it and open to new suggestions. Maybe your willpower is best at night with the type of work you focus on? That's totally cool. I think the most important thing is to be intentional, schedule your success and attack each day with focus. We need to gut check ourselves and seriously consider how badly do we want to make things happen in our lives? It's possible to make time to work on yourself and your creative dream. Maybe you need to chill on the Netflix binging and mindless hours scrolling through social media? If you're solo dolo in life, there is little to no excuse for finding and making time. However, with having a significant other and a family, communication is key. I've learned it's hard for them to support you if you don't: Prioritize time with them and the family Communicate what you're trying to accomplish and when you're trying to do it (make sure you're on the same page with expectations) Include them on the team in pursuit of your dream (don't keep them in the dark especially if they don't have a concrete dream of their own, it'll cause tension) There's probably more but these are the hard lessons I've learned along the way that can save you a lot of fighting. 

Listen to the raw unedited audio response Losing Sight of Why You Started Sometimes we get down on ourselves and lose our way. Today's episode is in response to an Instagram friend of mine named Gosha Bondarev. To wrap some context around this, Gosha is a young illustrator and letterer from Saint Petersburg, Russia who aspires to be a full-time freelancer. I've watched him amass a following over 20k followers in the 1-2 years. While someone may have a large follower count, this doesn't always translate into confidence and happiness. With Gosha's permission, the following is a message he sent me reaching out for advice followed by my response. Note: I decided to write out a more thoughtful response for this episode based on the raw audio file I sent him which you can listen to here. While I can't respond with audio to each person who sends me an email or message, I felt particularly called to respond to this one as it felt like my old self-talking through him. I hope this wave of vulnerability and encouragement hits you when you need it most. From Gosha Hey man. Sorry if I am bothering you, but I need advice. I re-listened to episode #25 again because I wasn't able to do anything creative for the last month. After that, I felt like I should ask you. The ugly truth is that I gave up, I started learning programming because it seems that I need some valuable skills to pay the bills. I have some pictures to post on Instagram from the last year but I'll run out of them soon and not sure what to do next. I'm realizing that maybe four years of hustling is enough to understand this area isn't for me. I don't fit in here because I see what others are doing and how much more creative and interesting their stuff is. I feel I'm only progressing in using Instagram a little better but my drawing skills are on the same level as years go by. I'd rather I realize it as soon as possible and try to apply myself in a different area. I asked a couple of friends from the creative industry and they tell me that, "If I'm not sure I want to do it than it's probably not for me." I know that I should decide it by myself but I was hoping you'd have something to say. To Gosha Gosha, I'm glad you're able to be vulnerable and trust me not to judge you. What's funny is that I deal with this inner voice of doubt every day as I push the limits of my creative dream. I feel sometimes we get to a point where we suffocate our dreams because we expect so much from ourselves. It causes us to not only lose sight of what we love doing in the first place but maybe miss the signs the universe is trying to guide us towards. When I started Perspective-Collective almost 4 years ago, I had my heart set on becoming a full-time freelancer. I wanted financial freedom, time freedom and the bragging rights of working with the biggest names in the industry. I saw people older and younger than me living out this dream. While I held and still hold a day job, it was hard to see past the $50 logo commissions people were willing to pay me. This slowly killed my freelance dreams. However, I'm lucky that somehow I caught a sign from the universe and I began blogging. I've mentioned this before but blogging radically changed things in my career, even though my blog never blew up. As I've made progress, this new path created new challenges and provides new waves of negative thoughts. I'm most envious of people like Andy J. Miller who hosts an incredible podcast for creatives as he has seemed to find his voice and unique artistic style. Not to mention his client list speaks for itself, but Andy has probably dealt with these same struggles finding his way. I realize these moments of doubt and comparison are normal. Yet dwelling in them suffocates the passion making me forget why I do this in the first place. I do this because I fucking love to create and I am passionate about pushing people to find their best creative selves. It's the coach in me that has lived on after football. So I ask you, why did you pursue art in the first place? Did you put pencil to paper in the beginning to land a client? I highly doubt it. You're incredibly talented, young and full of potential. It seems from my perspective that you're putting so much pressure on yourself to have each post land you a client that you're killing the fun. Who knows, maybe you need a small break from art just to refresh and refocus. This is totally okay and it's totally normal. Maybe take a month off to pursue other interests. Whatever you do, I feel very strongly that you'd regret quitting when you're on your deathbed. You have too much talent to throw in the towel and honestly, I'd be disappointed in you for wasting your gift. You never know who you could've impacted with that next post that was never published. If you're like me, you enjoyed Instagram in the beginning because you loved creating and you posted because it meant something to you. You created and shared because you found joy in it. Somehow things shifted. We now post because we need the engagement, affirmation or job inquiries to feel worthwhile and purposeful as an artist. Maybe you do need a day job like programming that can pay the bills. I rock a day job and while it makes me discredit myself sometimes, I know it's fueling the means to pursue Perspective-Collective without the financial stress. I should note, don't just get a job in a field because it'll net you the most money. Usually, that comes at a cost of killing the passion and adding more pressure. Get a job delivering pizza if it means you can still come home and find time and enjoyment in creating. A Plan of Attack When you do find your groove again and want to attract clients, here's a few things I'd do differently. First off, have a legit website that is a hub for all Gosha on why they should hire you. Show off your personality and show the work you want to attract. Right now, Behance and Instagram are your tools but you need a home base that doesn't rely on a social platform as you are playing by there rules. Next, maybe do some type of outreach. It may be uncomfortable but hit people up locally that could use your services and offer them out pro bono at first. I did my first 3 murals for free before I attracted paid gigs. It sucked but it was worth it in the long run. Make sure to document the process from beginning to end. Not only should you share it on your social platforms but take it another step further and create case studies on your site. This will allow future clients to see your process and how you get an end result. Finally, always remember that the inner critic is going to attempt to convince you that you don't have what it takes. Other people may agree with the critic and tell you maybe this isn't for you. I say fuck 'em. I have to talk myself off the edge from quitting all the time. It's all apart of taking the shit in stride which makes you appreciate the sunny days when things go right. You certainly have what it takes and you've barely scratched the surface of what you'll accomplish down the road. Maybe full-time freelance isn't in the cards for you like it's not in the cards for me anytime soon? That's totally okay. Don't let the inner critic block you from seeing the signs the universe could be sending you. Whatever you do, don't forget why you began creating in the first place as that's what matters most. Much love from Iowa, Scotty Shownotes Gosha Bondarev's Instagram  /  Behance Episode 25: Dealing With Creative Funks & Feeling Invisible Episode 58: Appreciate the Shit and Sunshine - 12 Lessons Learned in 2017 Creative Pep Talk Podcast Podcast editor: Aine Brennan Podcast music: Blookah Want to Support the Show? Become a backer on Patreon Leave an iTunes Rating and Review Share the show on social media or follow the Perspective Podcast Instagram Crypto Donation Support Bitcoin: 1j5vE64PWgkJHGnGSrAiJK82bnfn7fBgu Ethereum: 0xFf60588C873E34235dE371450d58129d8d7cAC16 Litecoin: LerTFZfvtW4iH7qJM8vSE9mkdQA24yKmB6 Subscribe via your favorite podcast player: iTunes Spotify Google Play Radio Overcast Stitcher

Kolb is Neat: http://www.kolbisneat.com/ Rock Candy: https://funko.com/collections/rock-candy Becky Cloonan: https://www.instagram.com/beckycloonan/ Mondo Baby Hellboy: https://mondotees.com/blogs/news/81801987-baby-hellboy-1-6-scale-collectible-figure The Outsiders: https://www.kidrobot.com/products/outsider-blind-box-mini-series-joe-ledbetter Woot Bear: https://wootbear.com/ The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31: https://mondotees.com/products/the-thing-infection-at-outpost-31-board-game Cat is Neat: https://www.instagram.com/catisneat/ Blade Runner 2049: http://bladerunnermovie.com/ Art By Collin: http://www.artbycollin.com/ Perspective-Collective: http://perspective-collective.com/ Guardians of the Galaxy: http://www.matttaylor.co.uk/guardians-of-the-galaxy/ Fandango Last Jedi Print: https://www.fandangofanshop.com/star-wars-the-last-jedi-payoff-poster

Split Focus & Superman Syndrome I feel I’m pretty in touch with my audience at times. I know the majority of my listeners and readers are trying to figure out where to start or how to continue pursuing their creative work. I basically just said it in my intro. The reoccurring pattern from my newsletter shows people like you want to know how to make time to focus on something outside of your daily commitments. Today, I was going to write about the power of focusing on a project that you both enjoy and are relatively good at. I wanted to write about how to get started with experimenting and catching a pulse to see if it was the right direction to pursue. However, this ended up turning into me possibly oversharing how my split focus has guided me to the current roadblock I’ve found myself at. Yes, I’m going to share the benefits of what focus can do for your creative pursuits, but I'm no expert. I fell I can best share how split focus and doing too much can negatively impact your life as well. Poop on a Plate I’ll admit it, I’m a wizard at piling shit high on my plate (I can't help but imagine a poop emoji on a plate). It’s been a blessing and more recently a curse in my life. I’ve had this Superman Syndrome mentality that I could do it all dating way back to high school. It started with a car accident my sophomore year resulting in me having to get a job at the age of 15. From there, I held down that job of pushing in carts at Hy-Vee while attending after-school programs and playing multiple sports. I was excelling in school, standing out in sports, getting awards all while making some side cheddar. What couldn’t I accomplish in a day? This mentality carried throughout college. My crazy ass was holding down my job at Hy-Vee, working an internship, playing / coaching football while having an overloaded course schedule with night classes. With how much this private school was charging per semester, graduating in 4 years was my only option. Bring on the challenge and premature grey hairs—I can handle it. Doing all the things and succeeding in them was my definition of success. I caught hits of dopamine chasing that ‘productivity high’ and I wanted people to know how busy I was. I was the king of focus, split focus that is and it was a blessing in the beginning. The Value of Focus Here is where I want to tell you the value of finding one thing to focus on that you not only enjoy, but you’re good at too. (I can't recommend the book Essentialism enough if you want to learn more.) Yet, somewhere in there, I’d be full of shit as I’m horrible at focusing on only one thing as I’ve wired myself to think I could do it all. When it boils down to it, yes, it’s extremely important to have something to work towards each day. Giving your attention to something you both enjoy and are good at can radically impact your life and others in a positive way. The thing I pour my soul into every day is Perspective-Collective. It started as a small side project back in April 2014 for me to create art under as I talk about in Episode 28: Make Your Name Mean Something. Over the years it began to take on a mind of its own. It's since opened up new paths of opportunity such as blogging, speaking, teaching, freelancing and now podcasting. Having something to focus on used to be an issue in the past. It had me feeling lost in my lackluster day-to-day routine. That lack of focus has since blossomed into an issue of split focus and spreading myself too thin. Imagine the smallest slice of butter that you're trying to cover a massive piece of bread with and that's me. There are so many things I like to do and want to accomplish, but there’s never enough time to pursue them all equally outside the day job...I'm sure you've said this a million times to yourself. Queue the dreaded elimination game or as Stephen King says,_ "Kill Your Darlings."_ Killing Your Darlings Here’s a breakdown of everything I do under Perspective-Collective. I’m trying to be as transparent as possible so you can see how I struggle to find the essential thing(s) to focus on while eliminating the non-essential. Podcast - 50% Freelance - 20% Personal Work - 12.5% Speaking - 12.5% Teaching - 5% You have no idea how badly I want to get back to doing the podcast weekly. I feel if I was 90% all-in on the podcast, I could significantly grow it at a faster pace. Yet going all in on the podcast has its consequences that I’m not sure I'm ready for. While my day job covers the basic costs of my day-to-day living, taking on freelance with the right projects is too hard to pass on. I have an absurd amount of student loans and other debt looming over me. Making time for freelance slowly works me toward some type of future financial freedom. Personal work is what keeps me sane and allows me to find myself in my work and experiment. Sadly, there isn’t a whole lot of time for it. Speaking gives me the largest platform to share my ideas and connect with people like you. However, the amount of time I invest in planning, preparation, practice and traveling takes a lot of time away from other things. Teaching allows me to discover things I like to help people learn and possibly monetize with an additional revenue stream. I realize I'm doing too much and one of the darlings I had to kill recently was my weekly Fresh Slice Friday pizza drawings on my @pizzadrawingsonly account. It was personal work but it was taking too much time away from the podcast, freelance and time that could be spent with my wife. Killing my darlings is hard, but the essential tasks matter most. This is something I battle against daily as I want to do it all. Catching a Pulse I'm only 29 and I need to remind myself that it's okay to not have it all figured out yet. Everything I’m doing is one massive experiment in trying to find ways to elevate Perspective-Collective to my full-time job...and dammit, I'll make it happen someday. Progress is progress. If my experiments with teaching aren’t catching the right pulse, then that’ll be on the chopping block to narrow my focus and free up time. Right now, I don’t know so I’m going to continue to dip my toes and test out the water. I share this with you so you can see the various levels of focus and the opposing side of focusing on too much. While me venting about split focus may seem like a very basic issue, it goes a lot deeper and does more damage behind the scenes. Let's peel another layer of the onion and get real. This is probably the oversharing section... Do Less, But Better...Not Really Though Funny story, I started the New Year off with the motto, “Do less, but better.” I even wrote that shit large as hell on a whiteboard as a daily reminder. That whiteboard was then stashed in my closet 4 months into the New Year...whoops. While I’ve become increasingly aware of my Superhero Syndrome, changing and acting on it is another story. It’s safe to say I’m borderline obsessed with Perspective-Collective and the multiple channels of what I can create under it. I want to do _all _the things. I tell myself that I got a late start in discovering what I was capable of so now I need to double down on my ‘hustle’ to catch up. There’s that buzzword ‘hustle.’ That word is trouble. I was blinded by the 'hustle' and the progress and possibilities of Perspective-Collective. It caused me to lose sight of the bigger picture of what was at stake. I’ve learned the hard way that I was neglecting and damaging relationships with people that mean the most to me like Emily, my family and close friends. There grew an absence of date nights and being physically, mentally and emotionally present with my wife. My family began to expect me to not show up to functions anymore. The phone calls and invites to parties and gatherings with my friends slowly disappeared. Here I am, trying to convince myself and Emily that I’m 'hustling' my ass off now in the present so we don’t have to work so hard in the future. Who am I kidding, this was total bullshit. In reality, this was an excuse for me to disconnect from the real world and work on making my dream job a full-time reality. It’s fun. It doesn’t feel like work. People shower me in affirmations sometimes when I share my work. I'd be crazy to not invest all my time in this pursuit right? This Superman Syndrome has created a trap and I’ve been trying to claw my way out of the hole I dug for myself. Refocusing On What Matters Progress started by admitting to myself then owning up to it with multiple long conversations with my wife. She wanted to be supportive and not be the person to tear me away from my dream, but hearing her side of things really put things in perspective of how selfish I’ve been. With my hectic travel schedule lately, we’ve been making more intentional date nights and uninterrupted time together. She’s been amazing and insanely forgiving...I owe her everything for that. I’ve since been attending every family function possible to reconnect with everyone. That means even all the niece and nephew birthdays no matter how many hours away they are on a weekend. Editing the podcast can come at another time. I’ve also start reconnecting with my local circle of friends who I hadn’t seen in months. Making time for football on Sundays, drinks, dinners and low-key hanging has been great.While some friendships are gone, the ones that matter are still around. I still have a hard time accepting that I can’t do it all because if I have open time, it takes everything in me not to schedule something to fill it. I share all this because I want you to find something to focus on that lights you up. However, I want you to see that there's gotta be a balance as tunnel vision on a dream can do damage. You can’t do it all. Trying to do so comes at the expense of neglecting other things in your life. Imagine building an empire for yourself only to turn around and have no one to share it with? That’s the shit that scares me and what I try to keep top of mind each day. Key Takeaways Doing all the things is not a sound definition of success. Giving your attention to something you both enjoy and are good at can radically impact your life and others in a positive way. There's gotta be a balance as tunnel vision on a dream can do damage. Imagine building an empire for yourself only to turn around and have no one to share it with?

Denise is a spiritual teacher, student and empowerment coach as well as the founder of The Perspective Collective— a coaching space for women to find and develop their deepest and most authentic selves. She believes in wholehearted self-acceptance as the key to healing and transformation and works to shift clients out of limiting stories and unhealthy behavioral patterns so that they can live life in its most expansive realm of possibility. With a background in the performing arts, Denise is also a dedicated actor having most recently appeared in ABC Spark’s All For One. Storytelling is near and dear to her heart and, as an extension of her two paths combined, she co-founded HerStories— a speaker series and story-sharing platform that values authentic expression as a means of cultivating a deep and meaningful connection to ourselves, to others, to our communities, and to the world. Denise can be contacted by email or at her website www.herstoriesspeak.com or denise@herstoriesspeak.com

Find Comfort in Discomfort The other day I was listening to the Joe Rogan podcast and he had Jamie Foxx on as a guest. I’ve always been a fan of Jamie because well…it’s Jamie Foxx. What can’t that dude do? However, what really blew me away was when he shared how he got into music. He used to throw these huge parties for people like P Diddy which led him to linking up with rising artists like Jay-Z and The Neptunes. This then led to him building a studio in the back of his house and artists had to perform any time they were new and visiting. One day some kid with a backpack on came in and killed his session. He then proceeded to tell Jamie he had the perfect song for him to sing on. This surprised Jamie because he never saw himself in that light before. This kid was Kanye West and the song was Slow Jamz in 2004. Jamie thought the song was a bust, but 6–8 weeks later it was the #1 song in the country. Following this song, Jamie blew up in the rap and R&B scene. He goes on record stating, “When your opportunity comes, if you prepare for it, now you can jump into it and grab it.” Jamie was unknowingly preparing himself for that opportunity with Kanye by: throwing parties for rappers immersing himself in music building his own studio doing comedy and acting It’s so simple, prepare for your opportunities, but I feel many opportunities_ don’t_ come without getting out of your comfort zone. Do Shit That Scares You I used to be the type of person who played it safe and refused to get uncomfortable. I’ve found over the past 3–4 year, doing things that scared the shit out of me usually led to life changing opportunities. When I got those opportunities, I prepared my ass off so I could deliver. How Jamie Foxx got into music reminds me how I got into public speaking. A few years ago I wanted to share ideas and encouragement but I never saw myself as a writer. Yet, I got uncomfortable and started blogging not knowing what would come of it. About a year into weekly blogging, my good friend Diane Gibbs offered me my first speaking gig because I mentioned on a phone call months earlier that I wanted to try it someday. To be 100% honest, when she asked me, every bone in my body wanted to tell her no because I was terrified. This wasn’t your typical group of 15–20 people like back in school speech class. This was a Keynote at a conference of about 100–150 people in a state where I’ve never been before. However, I wanted to be a speaker and that’s exactly what I became. I prepared my ass off and crushed that opportunity which changed my life. It has since led me to speak at conferences like Creative South, Crop and WMC Fest. Little did I know that writing and sharing ideas through blogging was leading me to the next stage of my life in speaking. Wild enough this brought me to podcasting. All of these things that made me uncomfortable radically changed who I was as a person and the creative path I’ve been chasing. Feeling Alive & Crushing It Looking back on life, playing it safe never made me worthwhile. I felt invisible instead of feeling alive. I think this is how a thrill seeker functions, they need to constantly be doing something insane like sky diving to feel alive. Well finding comfort in discomfort lets me feel alive and evolve to the version of Scotty I'm supposed to become.. Getting uncomfortable has opened the flood gates of opportunity for Perspective-Collective, but it’s up to me to be prepared for those moments so I can crush them. When I get those “Hell Yes” opportunities I mentioned back in Episode 38, I pretend like they will never come again and that this is my one shot. It's taught me to_ never_ half ass anything and to pour all my soul and energy into nailing that shot. Even if things don’t turn out the way you expect it, you can be proud that you: put yourself in a position to get this opportunity invested your best effort I’m Going To vs. I Want To As you finish out this week, I want to challenge you to try something I learned from writer / influencer Jon Acuff: when you find yourself saying “I want to,” swap it for “I’m going to” instead. You want to start drawing, blogging, photography or writing but it makes you feel uncomfortable? Change your thinking to I’m going to start drawing, blogging, photography or writing because it makes me feel uncomfortable. Your mindset slowly begins to change with a simple swap of words. Following the discomfort nudges you toward the creative you're supposed to become. Challenging your fears present and prepare you for the opportunities that can change your life. Find comfort in discomfort and prepare for your opportunities. Key Takeaways Many opportunities don’t come without getting out of your comfort zone. When you get those opportunities, prepare your ass off so you can deliver. Following the discomfort nudges you toward the creative you're supposed to become. Never half ass anything Challenging your fears present and prepare you for the opportunities that can change your life. Shownotes Jamie Foxx on Joe Rogan Podcast  Kanye West - Slow Jamz Creative South Speech Crop Conference WMC Fest Blookah Music

Finding Time to Build For Yourself I don’t want to be the guy who stands on a soapbox giving advice. Rather, I want to be the person who shares what works and what doesn’t work for me as I figure things out on my own creative path. Maybe you’ll find something that you should or shouldn’t apply to your own method of madness. If you’re listening to the show then I’m taking a stab at the fact that you’re like me. You want to build something, something that’s your own. Something you can be proud of and enjoy doing along the way. Something you can leave behind for other people to enjoy. Finding time to build for yourself can be difficult. Especially when you are building something for someone else full time with a day job or have kids and other commitments. That’s what today’s topic is about as it comes directly from Shane Donaldson aka @Rustic_Overtones who signed up for my newsletter at Perspective-CollectiveTeam.com. When you sign up you get an onboarding email question asking “What is your biggest struggle when pursuing your creativity?” I love getting responses to this because it: lets me know I’m not alone with my certain demons like comparison and doubt. It lets me see reoccurring patterns and topics that I know will hit home. allows me to connect and engage directly with people like you. Shane’s response was, “My biggest struggle is balancing the little time I have with a focus.” This has been a repeating theme and deserves addressing as I know someone listening deals with the same thing. To Shane’s credit, he works in IT for the day job but comes home and creates amazing custom wooden cutout lettering. I highly recommend you check out his Instagram at @Rustic_Overtones. Thanks for this week’s topic Shane. Before I get into the show, if you want to influence the direction of an episode or get my newsletter designed to give you a mid-week creative boost, then join the team atPerspective-CollectiveTeam.com. Let’s get into the show. Balancing Your Free Time If you’re listening to this show, you obviously want to build something for yourself, something on your own terms where you call the shots of what you create. You want this so badly but maybe the day job or tending to your family makes it hard to find the time, motivation and energy to focus. Maybe you’re unsure where to start or had little results in the past so you’re hesitant on where or how to invest your time. I’ll admit, watching cat videos on YouTube or playing video games to escape in is quite tempting. Currently, I’ve been low key binging on Game of Thrones while I draw. So here’s the question, how do you balance the little time you have with a focus? By focus, I mean working on your own side project or even your own business. While I can’t relate to having kids, I would say I’ve become pretty efficient in managing my time outside of the day job and husband duties to focus on Perspective-Collective. Regardless of your commitments, here are 3 practical things I focus on each day that allows me to build something for myself: Focus on one thing to execute each day Plan my day the night before Kill distractions during work One Thing Each Day How often do you give yourself a massive, daunting to-do list of a million things and find yourself unsure where to start? It’s like giving yourself the assignment to climb Mt. Everest. It’s easy to feel defeated before you start. For me, I get stressed out and discouraged too easily if I feel I have to take on the world all at once. Instead, I need to break things up into manageable chunks as it helps to be objective and realistic. This makes the game of building Perspective-Collective winnable and most importantly, enjoyable. So what is it you’re working towards or trying to build in your rare spare time? If you have that massive to-do list, what’s one thing on it that you can knock out today to get you started? Knocking out one thing a day is progress. Progress is addicting and when you string together a couple days you begin to build momentum. A few days turn into a week, a week turns into a month, months turn into years. The more progress you see, the more you find ways to create more time to invest. Plan the Night Before Are you a routine person or do you prefer to take life as it comes and react? I used to be the one who would wing it and see what happens each day. Without a plan, I made minimal progress in a million directions. While I can be a cluttered person, I thrive on the structure and knowing what my next move is going to be. Getting shit done and being productive is a high like no other and I’m always itching to get that fix. If shit doesn’t get scheduled, it doesn’t get done in my world and it’ll sit on my to-do list. That’s why at 9 pm each day, Siri reminds me to plan my next day which literally takes under 5 minutes. I schedule open pockets of time in my Passion Planner to get that one thing finished whether it’s: before I go to work my lunch break my two 10 minute breaks when I get home from the gym after work Without planning that one big thing during those times, my mind strays and I find myself mindlessly scrolling through social media. One big thing a day for me could look like: Writing 1000 words for the podcast / blog Recording and editing a podcast episode Finishing the episode artwork Polishing and sending deliverables to a client What could that one big thing a day look like for you? What are those free pockets of time in a day that you aren’t taking advantage of? I believe anyone can accomplish one thing a day with this approach and you don’t have to be as hyper-structured as I am to see the benefits. Kill the Distractions This may be the hardest one as we live in an era where we are wired to love distractions. As a culture, we are addicted to notifications, emails, DMs, text messages, features on Instagram, etc. I’m guilty of letting these distractions take me away from my work once in awhile, but it starts with being aware of what you’re doing. If you are serious about building something for yourself, hold yourself accountable and kill the distractions. Go into that scheduled pocket of time you planned the night before and get your shit done. For me, there are a couple things I do to handle this I: turn off all notifications on my phone except for text messages. have do not disturb periods set on my phone from 9pm–7am so I can plan my night before and grind in the mornings. keep my writing app (or anything I’m working on) on full screen with my secondary screen off so I’m tunnel vision on the task at hand. Really the only times I allow myself to be on social media while I work is when I’m sharing the process of a drawing on my Instagram stories. Try to focus on getting into deep work and start off small by doing 20–30 minutes of uninterrupted, distraction free time. Work your way up from there and shoot for an hour. Gradually add more time as it fits within your schedule. If you want to dig deeper into working distraction-free I recommend checking out the book “Deep Work” by Cal Newport. Find the Time I get it, finding time to work on the things you want to isn’t always easy. Rarely is it convenient and we are all experts at coming up with reasons why we can’t get to this or that today. A lot of the time people say they lack the motivation even when they do have the time. I believe motivation comes from the act of doing and it's hard to find the motivation if you only do things when they are convenient. Be honest with yourself, you have pockets of time in a day even if they are 10-minute spurts. Those moments are gold and you’re capable of knocking out a quick sketch, writing 200 words, recording video or audio on the go. You don’t have to be hyper-structured, you just have to be intentional with the sacred time that you have. You have what it takes to build something for yourself. Find the time and get to work. Momentum and progress will find you. Key Takeaways Break things up into manageable chunks as it helps to be objective and realistic. Knocking out one thing a day is progress. The more progress you see, the more you find ways to create more time to invest. If you are serious about building something for yourself, hold yourself accountable and kill the distractions. It's hard to find the motivation if you only do things when they are convenient. Shownotes Shane Donaldson -@Rustic_Overtones Join the Perspective Newsletter  Deep Work by Cal Newport Music by Blookah

The Power of No & the Value of Your Time This past April at Creative South, I got to listen to a panel discussion by Marc Hemeon and Joel Beukelman of Design Inc. which links companies and freelancers together. Scratch that, according to Marc, design panels suck so they turned it into a quirky session about 70ish Life and Business Lessons for Designers. What made it even more enjoyable was the Always Sunny in Philadelphia theme music in the background along with the energy and humor they injected into the presentation. One of the biggest takeaways that punched me in the gut was when they said: “If it’s not a Hell Yes, then it’s a Hell No.” This spoke volumes to how I used to take on work simply out of financial scarcity or due to feeling obligated. I want this episode to drive home the fact that saying no creates more time for the work that excites you. Listening to this episode better be a hell yes to you. The Power of No Why is it so hard to say no to people? For me, it always landed into two buckets: There was an element of people pleasing or obligation Money was tight and projects felt scarce Letting these guide my decisions of saying yes got me into some shitty commitments that held my time and excitement hostage. Only in the last two years have I discovered the power of saying no. To be honest, saying no has allowed me to stumble across exciting new work that let me evolve as an artist. For example, in September of 2016, I randomly got the chance to do my first mural. The only reason I was free to take on this new challenge was because I turned down a not so exciting job the week before. Murals have easily blossomed into the work that excites me the most. Who knows when or if I would’ve stumbled across this new medium had I committed to the other project. There just wouldn't have been time to take it on. That brings me to one of my main points: your most valuable asset isn’t money, it’s your time. We all have the same 24 hours in a day and each hour is sacred. When you say yes to mediocre things you don’t really want to do, you’re saying no to the things you really want to say yes to. By filling up those open gaps in your life with low budget t-shirt designs for unaccountable clients who take forever to pay, your killing those spontaneous opportunities that could be an instant “Hell Yes.” That’s where saying no comes in. When something isn’t a Hell Yes, it should be a Hell No. Operating Out of Scarcity If you’re taking on work solely based on scarcity or guilt, I really think you should reframe your thinking To be clear, right now in life I choose to take on freelance but I don’t necessarily have to and I realize this doesn't apply to everyone. I make enough at the day job to cover bills, groceries, gas and the occasional pizza to treat myself. However, I’m not bringing in enough to save for a kid, take Perspective-Collective full-time and attack student loans. This is why I choose freelance but more intentionally than before. I’ve grown to be selective now and target one “Hell Yes” project per month. Only one as I still have the day job, podcast and husband duties that take priority. If no “Hell Yes” opportunities present themselves, my wife and I will be fine and I can focus on other things to push Perspective-Collective forward. The old me would have settled for the first project that popped up due to scarcity mindset. I was willing to trade my sanity and satisfaction as I felt this opportunity would never come again and neither would the small chunk of change that accompanied it. Always remind yourself that there are plenty of more projects coming your way if you happen to pass on one. Operating Out of Guilt On the other end of the spectrum is feeling guilted or obligated to do work for friends and family. I have zero problems doing pro-bono work for family or friends when it’s: for a good cause and is convenient for my schedule However, the people closest to you seem to always want a hookup or some type of freebie. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had some family or friends guilt me into doing work for them. Other times they get outraged when I tell them my pricing or simply reply with a professional / polite no. Especially in a small town of Iowa where $50 for a logo is the going rate, people act like you’re crazy and proceed to talk shit about you behind your back. As you continue to invest your life, effort, sweat, blood, tears and money into your craft, you'll realize the value of what you produce and how sacred your time is. Over time you'll see that true friends and family will understand and respect you, even if they don’t like your response. The rest don’t matter and it’s cool to trim the fat and reduce your circle. I get the feeling of wanting to please people but you’re better off saying no to free you up for bigger “Hell Yes” opportunities coming your way. Decision-Making - Hell Yes Only It feels like a ton of pressure has been lifted off my shoulders after adopting this motto. Pulling the trigger with decision-making is so much easier in my opinion when you operate based on a simple Yes or No. You’re always going to be faced with tough decisions, but if you can get by without taking on a mediocre project, then do it. If people want to judge or talk shit because you quoted them “too high” or because you said no, who cares—that’s their problems. Simplify your decision-making and free up your time for the projects that excite you. Function from a mindset of “If it’s not a Hell Yes, then it’s a Hell No” and keep moving forward. Key Takeaways Saying no creates more time for the work that excites you. Your most valuable asset isn’t money, it’s your time. Saying yes to mediocre things means you're saying no to the things you really want to do. There are plenty of more projects coming your way if you happen to pass on one. Pulling the trigger is so much easier when you operate based on a simple Yes or No. Shownotes Forefathers Group - Renasaisnce Photoshop Product Design Inc. - Marc Hemeon & Joel Beukelman 70ish Life and Business Lessons for Designers Music by Blookah

Today we’re continuing with a series of short conversations recorded live at Creative South 2017. In this episode, I’m joined by special guest co-host Zack Wilkinson. We talk with Brian White of TriLion Studios in Lawrence, Kansas and Scotty Russell of Perspective Collective about their paths in the creative world.

You Can Make Whatever Name You Choose Mean Something Over Time Have you heard of Gary Vaynerchuk, aka Gary Vee before? Chances are you probably have if you’ve been paying attention to the social media / entrepreneur scene. I feel like he is a dude you either love or hate due to his bravado or profanity. One thing is for certain, people know of him because he made his name mean something. As an immigrant from the Soviet Union, Gary helped his dad transform his notable Wine Library business to a powerhouse though YouTube vlogging. From there, he’s gone on to build the multi-million dollar social media business, Vayner Media. Vaynerchuk or Gary Vee wouldn’t mean anything to anyone if he didn’t bust his ass and pour his soul into what he was passionate about. Picking a name for your brand or business can be hard and really frustrating, I can totally relate. I’m here to convince you that you can make whatever name you choose to operate under mean something over time. You have what it takes. The Need for a Name It was early March 2014 when I thought my co-partner DMac (DSTN) and I were going to take our clothing brand, Daydreamin’ Clothing to the next level. We were steadily building for 4 years and had: a warehouse lined up to make our prototypes an investor willing to give us a shot a shit ton of ideas and passion to “make it” However, I was creating so much work on the side and not all of it fit the style of the brand. I needed a way to share this work separately. During this time, I was getting heavy into hand lettering. I thought maybe I could become a big time freelancer and I needed a business name to house all my work. The first thing I went to was the typical Scotty Russell Design, Russell Studio, Russell Graphics, Russell Design Co. but they all sounded super douchey. I despised having my name a part of it as it didn’t have a nice ring to it. All my colleagues I knew at the time had their names a part of their brand but to me, it never clicked. I decided to explore a more abstract route instead. Massive Brain Dumps I had a massive brain dump session (I love using that phrase) and began throwing words I liked on paper. Anything that came to mind I put it down and started to make connections. The words Collective, Collection and Perspective kept coming up. First, I was sold on the word Perspective first for 2 reasons: Drawing and seeing perspective always came naturally to me. After attending my first festival in the past year, Electric Forest, my perspective on life had dramatically changed. Next, the word Collective and Collection sounded cool as it could mean all my drawings fell in this collection. Otherwise, down the road, it could mean I have a team under me. After a month of throwing ideas around, Perspective-Collective was born in April 2014. However, it wasn’t until a month later in May when I gathered up the courage to announce it publicly with the branding I had created. There Will Always Be Doubt When you’re just starting off, it’s easy to feel stupid and doubt yourself. If you’re like me, more specifically the old me, you want everyone to love your work and you’d be crushed if someone thought it was stupid. I feel that’s what holds so many of us creatives back is we are afraid to have someone not approve of what we are doing. We see it as failure and that we don’t deserve a slot within the creative community. I hesitantly began sharing through this moniker on Facebook and Instagram. This was the same time that my partner and I had some issues coming to agreements with shares and the future of Daydreamin’ Clothing. Reluctantly, I stepped away from the brand and began putting all my spare time into Perspective-Collective. In the early days, I heard crickets when I posted my work. It sucked but I was having a lot of fun pursuing my work with no limits. Over time, things began to pick up. Make Your Name Mean Something After posting consistently and studying how to utilize the former platform of Instagram (pre-algorithm days), I started catching some features on Goodtype, Calligritype and The Daily Type. The obsession took over from there. I started noticing that my increased quality of work and consistent dedication to the creative process is what was making my name actually mean something. My point in sharing my story is that you can make whatever name you choose to operate under mean something through the enthusiasm and dedication of your craft. You never know what it could evolve into. When Your Name Becomes More Than You Think Looking back on it now, it blows my mind what’s happened in the course of 3 years. Hell, a lot can happen in one year when you decide that you’re going to commit to something no matter what others may think. I vividly remember my girlfriend (now my wife @theoilshelf) and my parents questioning my pursuits of self-employment as an artist. Why couldn’t I work a safe job like everyone else and relax in the evenings? In my head, I knew that I’m not like everyone else. One night, I remember balling to my wife the day I decided to step away from Daydreamin’. I felt like a quitter but I remember telling her that, “I have this feeling that I’m meant to do something special with my life and my art. I don’t know what it is but I feel it.” 3 years later and both her and my parents see what I saw in myself in that moment. I feel it, even more today as Perspective-Collective has turned into something more than just a name to house drawings. Perspective-Collective is the main side project that houses my other side project geared towards encouraging creatives like you. These channels of the brand are: My personal artwork of course Freelance Public speaking Teaching The Perspective Podcast Once I thought the Collective portion could mean future employees and I could scale it to be something huge. Now I realize the collective is really my best friend and me together. Recently, it dawned on me that I would be nowhere without my wife’s support, ideas and constructive criticism. She is what makes this a Collective now as we slowly carve a role for her to do what she does best…which is pretty much everything I suck at! Having her officially on the team fuels my ambitions to push this project even further. Make a Name For Yourself If you’re like me, it’s going to feel super awkward putting yourself out there when you decide your name. You’re going to overthink it and feel dumb, especially if you don’t get the response you want. Shit, leading up to this past year my dad was still calling it Collective Perspectives. People are going butcher it or not understand where you’re coming from and that’s okay! [perfectpullquote align="full" cite="" link="" color="1c1c1c" class="" size="32"]As long as it means something to you and it allows you to pour your soul into your work, that’s all that matters.[/perfectpullquote] Gary Vee didn’t mean shit until he made it mean something. Perspective-Collective didn’t mean shit until I made it mean something. Now, it’s a part of me and I love it…aside from the fact that its length makes it non-username friendly across all social media. (Hence the name PRSPCTV_CLLCTV) Regardless, you have the power to make a name for yourself no matter the name you choose. Don’t let doubt and fear rob you of that opportunity. Key Takeaways You can make whatever name you choose to operate under mean something over time. Let go of needing to seek everyone’s approval for what you do. Your quality of work and consistent dedication to the creative process is what help you make your name mean something. A lot can happen in one year when you decide that you’re going to commit to something no matter what others may think. As long as it means something to you and it allows you to pour your soul into your work, that’s all that matters. Shownotes Perspective-Collective Newsletter Gary Vaynerchuk Wine Library Vayner Media DMac (DSTN) Daydreamin’ Clothing Goodtype Calligritype The Daily Type Emily Russell (My Wife) - @TheOilShelf’ Theme Music: Blookah Music Blookah Instagram y.

You Are Not Alone & You Are Not Invisible Do you ever get in creative funks where you lack the drive to create while feeling invisible to the world? There are those sinister inner voices that try to convince you that your work doesn’t matter and that you can’t make a difference. I’m pretty sure everyone goes through these phases whether they admit it or not. This episode is me admitting this to you in hopes you don’t feel alone in the times you feel invisible as a creative or life in general. There is light at the end of the tunnel as I’m learning that this is part of the struggle of pursuing something that’s important to you. In due time, it will be important to others as well. It’s okay to feel this way at times, it’s natural. However, you are capable of pulling yourself out of this creative funk and pushing forward to the next phase on your creative path. I say this because I’m pushing through one of these phases myself. Creative Funks & Winter Blues From mid-December through practically the month of January, I’ve been in a depressed state of mind and it’s been physically and mentally draining. There are a lot of variables in play here: I hurt my back leading up to Christmas and could barely move for a week (I deal with herniated discs from football) Anxiety was taking over my life leading up to nose and throat surgery (doesn’t help when you hear 10 times that you could die) Post surgery had me isolated and laying in a recliner for 24 hours a day This isolation gave me ample time to get trapped in my own head My diet was extremely off and I wasn’t able to go to the gym Finally, the weather has just been crazy shitty and gloomy While I still kicked out some uplifting art during this phase, every drawing carried a dark undertone which I feel was me crying out in creative pain. Scroll through the episode artwork at PerspectivePodcast.com to see what I’m talking about. During this stretch I felt invisible, like what I created and said through my podcast landed on blind eyes and deaf ears—the new Instagram algorithm doesn’t boost self-esteem either. I doubted everything I was trying to build with Perspective-Collective and was even attacking my physical appearance. Growing up I got picked on often for being chubby and those hateful voices still haunt me today. Looking in the mirror during this stretch disgusted me after no gym sessions and polluting my body with holiday shit. This self-pity mode I was in was really self-sabotaging. I’m not saying this for your pity, I’m saying this because I realize this was a phase and I am able to climb out of this hole. Here is what helped me. Talking About It Usually, an inspiring podcast, audiobook or YouTube video can snap me out of this “woe is me attitude.” Honestly, during this stretch, I could give a fuck less about these forced remedies. The emotions were too strong and overpowering. If you’re like me, you’d rather bottle up all your emotions as showing any type of weakness will ruin your “perceived reputation” as a badass. I’ve come to realize I’m no badass and openly talking about the things I struggle with helps me push through these creative funks—hence the reason I started this podcast. About 3 weeks into this state of mind, I sought out my best friend which is my wife of course. I told her I just didn’t feel like Scotty and that I’m not sure what’s going on with me. It was relieving to share what I was going through to someone who cared, even if it didn’t change how I felt. Next, I consulted a few close members of my mastermind group. Again I was met with encouraging words as they shared their creative funks with me. The more I talked about it and heard other people admit they deal with this too, the better I began to feel. Once my nose and throat were almost fully healed, I turned to my Instagram stories to show my face and share what I’d been dealing with. This wasn’t a cry for help tactic, it was meant to let whoever the hell was watching know that they aren’t alone in these dips of depression. I didn’t expect any responses as it was more it was therapy to get it off my chest. Surprisingly, there were waves of replies I got from strangers that deal with the same feelings of invisibility. Your replies are what inspired this show to compile my thoughts and struggles into something more personable and transparent with you. Sometimes Encouragers Need Encouragement Sometimes people need to know that they matter and are making a difference. This brings me to Diane Gibbs. She is an amazing individual who does so much for creatives whether it’s through the Design Recharge show or by teaching her design students. She showed me the importance of how encouragers need encouragement too. Outside of creating art, I know I exist to serve and encourage people like you. After sharing my work and receiving support from others, it showed me my potential and it’s my duty to pass that opportunity on to someone else. It’s a powerful feeling when you know someone took a time out of their existence to reach out and let you know that what you do matters. This is what Diane did and I think it was the final measure that pulled me out of this dark place. She first text me then called me out of nowhere on a Saturday and it really made my day. She could’ve been a distant onlooker of my art or listener of my podcast. Instead, she lifted my spirits and shared her own creative struggles as well. My point here is that you have the ability to boost someone’s spirits when they need it the most, whether they are a friend, family or a stranger. Sure, your words of encouragement may land on deaf ears. I can’t tell you how many of my “heroes” I’ve sent an encouraging message to and get no reply back. Then again, you should see some of the replies I’ve gotten in return. Sometimes encouragers need encouragement to pull themselves out of a creative slump and to not feel invisible. If you’ve had an urge to reach out to someone, then act on your intuition and do it. I’m serious; you could make a lasting impact on someone like Diane did for me. You’re Not Invisible I want to force this into your head every episode, you have something to offer even though you may feel like no one is listening or watching. You could be affecting that one person that stats and analytics fail to show. All it takes is one person at a time to make an impact. You also have the power to impact others through encouragement. There’s enough shit going on in this world and you can be a part of the solution. Everyone deals with creative funks and feeling invisible whether they admit it or not. You are not alone and I’m in your corner cheering you on. If you need someone to talk to hit me up at Scotty@Perspective-Collective.com. I’m happy to listen. Please don’t give up pursuing something that’s important to you. You are not invisible. Key Takeaways Everyone goes through creative funks whether they admit it or not. Sometimes people need to know that they matter and are making a difference. You have something to offer even though you may feel like no one is listening or watching. You have the ability to boost someone’s spirits when they need it the most. All it takes is one person at a time to make an impact. Shownotes Diane Gibbs - Design Recharge My Instagram Music by Blookah

Give it Some Time and Enjoy the Creative Process Along the Way It may feel impossible getting exposure when you’re just starting to pursue your creative path. Believe me, I’ve been there. I spent over 25 years of my life believing that having a successful art career was impossible. As I’ve become more intentional with my side projects and have seen the potential, my mindset has drastically shifted. Think about it, technology is in your favor if you start today. It’s so easy to connect with someone on the opposite side of the globe within seconds. Not to mention that more and more people in the world are getting access to the internet every day. I really do believe that you are one scroll or swipe away from having your life changed. Creating the right side project(s) and following these 3 ingredients will aid you in getting more exposure for your work. These ingredients are: Research Consistency Shareability Obviously, you could say there are more ingredients, but I believe these 3 are great to keep top of mind. Research You might get lucky and stumble across an audience waiting to devour your style. However, I’d recommend doing a bit of research to have a plan. I feel the best, yet the most saturated market out there is Instagram for getting your work noticed. It’s the top platform for engagement right now and I’ve seen many friends blow up and create a thriving creative career from it. No matter the social platform you choose, research the best ways to utilize the strengths of the platform as you share your work. I started using Instagram seriously close to 3 years ago when I first became addicted to hand lettering. It started off with me throwing work out randomly until I noticed there were specific accounts and hashtags that surrounded this type of style of work I was producing. For example, there is the monstrous account of Goodtype that has well over 725K followers curated by my friend Brooke Bucherie. I remember when she had under 10K! Just to note, Goodtype started off as a side project and has evolved dramatically to become more than just an Instagram account. I noticed that she featured people’s lettering work who used the profile hashtags of #Goodtype and #strengthinletters on their lettering posts. I began using those hashtags and pushing my skills every day and ended up catching my first feature. Safe to say I was hooked. There were other accounts that were similar to Goodtype such as The Daily Type, Typespire, Type Gang and Calligritype that helped me build my account and get exposure through features as well. Tools for Social Analytics Another way I approach my research is with analytic tools such as Business Page Insights through Instagram and Iconosquare. These tools show you metrics such as your: Most liked photos / videos Most commented on photos / videos Least liked photos / videos Least commented on photos / videos New vs lost followers per given time Best times for posting Age range of follower Top states or countries following you Understanding these metrics lets you know what type of work people are engaging with and when you should be posting. With some research and experimentation, you can begin formulating a strategy while creating your own style that speaks to you and your future audience. Consistency We live in a microwave era where people expect instant gratification and get discouraged when they don’t see immediate results. The reason many creatives get exposure is because they are consistent and people know what to expect. I follow people or accounts on social media strictly because they post work I’m inspired by and are posting daily or at a consistent time weekly. 2 friends, I follow due to their consistent quality work are Bob Ewing and Charli Prangley. Being consistent has boosted their creative careers outside of their social presence. #Hashtaglettering With Bob Ewing Starting with Bob, he began hand lettering around the same time that I did as he took on the 365 daily challenge. Meaning he hand lettered a word for every day of the year. Not only did he reach his goal but he ended up extending it to a whopping 534 consecutive days! Not only did he improve his lettering skills, but he is now considered one of the revered names in a thriving lettering community. This has led to him getting great lettering projects, public speaking and workshop opportunities while building amazing relationships within the creative community. Video Content With Charli The other great example of consistency is Charli. She built her career on Youtube by pumping out insightful content targeted to designers on her Youtube Channel: CharliMarieTV. Over this period of time, she’s amassed a following of over 40K subscribers. She’s been posting 2 videos a week for over 3 years! Oh ya, did I forget to mention that she also co-hosts the Design Life Podcast with the talented Femke for over a year now too? On top of her drive, she is just a genuine and funny human being. Her hard work has landed her major opportunities such as her recent job of joining Nathan Barry’s ConvertKit staff. As you can see, being consistent over time can make some pretty incredible things happen. Shareability First off, I’m not talking about focusing on creating trendy work to go viral. What I’m referring to is creating genuine work that is: funny relatable inspiring entertaining Instead of worrying about expensive targeted ads to force feed people your work, product or services; focus on creating something that can spark an emotion. If you can immediately make someone stop and: tag someone in your comments repost or retweet your video text a link to their friends with the message, “Dude, you’ve got to see this!” You know you’re doing something right. Ketchup Calligraphy Sharing Awhile back I posted a video called Ketchup Calligraphy. I made a quote saying “You’re the Ketchup to my Fries” while spelling ketchup with a ketchup bottle and fries with actual fries. I use a lot of ketchup and this was just a funny concept to express my love for it. This ended up getting featured by million follower accounts like Art Worldly and by the entrepreneur influencer Tai Lopez. What made it even better is that they prompted people in the description to “tag” someone who is the ketchup to their fries. Next thing you know you have hundreds of people getting tagged to see this post and then all the traffic directs back to my account. Here’s a quick tip, when you catch on to your work that is getting shared the most on Instagram, you can start giving prompts for people to tag someone who can relate below in the comments. I think you’ll be surprised with the results if you experiment. By focusing on work that is shareable, it may very well go viral across social. However, don’t create solely to go viral as you’re setting yourself up for defeat. Don’t force it—create work that resonates with you that can leave an emotional impression on an audience. Getting Exposure Takes Time I’ve seen people blow up over a year and then there is people like me who have been chipping away over the course of years. These things take time but I’ve noticed that the ones who blew up more quickly than I knew their research and audience and they posted more shareable work more often than I did. More power to them, but I’m learning more and more as I go and sharing with you what I learn along the way. I wish I would’ve had these 3 ingredients top of mind when I started sharing art under my side project of Perspective-Collective and that’s why I share it with you now. It’s rare to watch a side project blow up over night. That’s why I stress the long game as I’ve found the most fulfillment within the creative process and I enjoy the daily challenge of building this into something greater than myself. So what’s that project you’ve been wanting to pursue? What’s holding you back? There’s never been a better time than now to start and technology is playing in your favor down the road. Scratch that creative itch and start your side project today. Key Takeaways Technology is in your favor if you start today. You are one scroll or swipe away from having your life changed The reason many creatives get exposure is because they are consistent and people know what to expect. Being consistent can boost your creative career outside of social media. Focus on creating something that can spark an emotion Show Notes Lauren Hom - Side Projects: Your New Secret Weapon Brooke Bucherie curator of Goodtype Bob Ewing Charli Prangley - CharliMarieTV Charli Prangley - Design Life Podcast

This 3 part series of starting a side project is inspired by Lauren Hom's initiative of starting a side project in 2017. She has found massive success in her young career all from creating the type of work she wants to get to paid for with side projects. Her Side Projects: Your New Secret Weapon blog series along with a free mini email course are a great place for you to check out if you need some additional inspiration after this podcast series. Would you believe me if I told you I have a friend who bought a Russian spacesuit on eBay and began photographing himself as just an everyday astronaut in public? What if I told you this silly project is now becoming his full-time business pursuit? The person I’m referring to is my local friend Tim Dodd and he is the creator of the Everyday Astronaut account on Instagram. This was just a little experiment that exploded with creative potential. I’ll get back to Tim later, but the point I’m trying to make is that you never know what side projects can turn into. For example, Uber was a side project. The Tim Ferris Podcast was a side project. Perspective-Collective is an ongoing side project. You get the picture. This is the beginning of a 3 part series which covers the benefits to pursuing a side project in 2017: Part 1: Start seeing your side project hobby as something with greater creative potential. Part 2: Side projects allow you to attract the kind of work you want to get paid for. Part 3: 3 ingredients for increasing exposure for your side project. Let’s get started. Indication of Future Creative Potential I recently read a Medium article by Busy Building Things and it summed up perfectly how a side project should be perceived. It states, “Side projects are much more than simply hobbies, they are indicators of what you are capable of building.” My hobby used to be drawing which led me to creating the side project of Perspective-Collective in April of 2014. It started off with me just needing a name to house all the art I was cooking up. The thought of calling this 'brand' Scotty Russell Graphics was sounding pretty douchey and I reluctantly went with Perspective-Collective (I wasn't a fan of this name at the time but I rolled with it). What I didn’t realize is this new side project was providing me the platform to create whatever the hell I wanted. I had no idea it would grow like this. Over 2.5 years, this side project has led me to: blogging public speaking getting great interviews and features getting great freelance teaching workshops starting my own Perspective Podcast building relationships with creatives all over the world During this span, I’ve been able to catch a glimpse of what I’m capable of building. I fully believe that I can turn this into my full-time dream job someday if I continue to push it. It’s funny because it all starts with an idea but can rapidly change when you decide to act on it. That little idea you’ve had swimming in your head could change your life. Create Something Dope In Your Own Lane My friend Chuck Means told me a phrase that he heard the other day that went along the lines of “Creating Something Dope In Your Own Lane.” I’m a big advocate for pursuing your own creative path by doing work that resonates with you. If you’re creating work that you're enthusiastic about, then you are making dope work by your own standards. No one else’s definition of “dope work” applies here. Over time, if you consistently share this dope work, you’ll give others the opportunity to think it’s dope as well. It’s easy to feel you have to follow the footsteps of other creatives. However, I encourage you to be inspired but stay in your lane because your creative DNA and story are unique. Going back to Tim… I mean Everyday Astronaut. He matched his greatest strength / skillset (photography and space knowledge) with his greatest passion (outer space and dreams to become an astronaut) and started a little project that he thought was dope. Note: I wrote a blog post series about finding your greatest strength, greatest passion and your sweet spot awhile back. Clearly, he’s in his own lane because this is an insanely clever and refreshing idea. He started by taking spectacular photos of himself in his space suit doing normal things non-astronaut individuals would be doing like washing the car. He hit it hard for about two years and next thing you know he's been featured by: Instagram Reddit Buzzfeed etc. I’d say he's gotten some solid indications that this side project has some great creative potential. It’s now to the point where he is taking the risk of setting aside his successful wedding photography career so he can pursue this full-time. His goal is to begin speaking and teaching his knowledge of photography and space while maintaining his quirky character he created. If this can happen for Tim, why can’t it happen for you? What’s Your Side Project Idea? What is something that you’re interested in pursuing? As Gary Vee puts it, “What is it you wish you could do every day and get paid for?” Stop seeing your side project as only a hobby when it could blossom into something much bigger. If you want it bad enough, anything is possible. 2017 is here and you have a fresh opportunity to make it happen. Next week’s Part 2 episode will hit on how side projects allow you to attract the kind of work you want to get paid for. Key Takeaways “Side projects are much more than simply hobbies, they are indicators of what you are capable of building.” It all starts with an idea but can rapidly change when you decide to act on it. That little idea you’ve had swimming in your head could change your life. Pursue your own creative path by doing work that resonates with you. By consistently sharing what you think is dope, you'll give enough opportunities for others to think it's dope as well. Be inspired but stay in your lane because your creative DNA and story are unique. Show Notes Lauren Hom - Side Projects: Your New Secret Weapon Tim Dodd Photography Everyday Astronaut Info Everyday Astronaut Instagram Busy Building Things  Music by: Blookah

My Nightly Ritual to Stop Reacting and Eat More Frogs Taking a shot in the dark and guessing you’re someone who likes to get shit done. I know for me, I get my jollies when I’m getting things crossed off my to-do list. First things first, I’m definitely not claiming to be a productivity guru—I’m just a dude who’s trying to be more productive than busy. I strictly want to share with you what’s been working for me as a creative … and of course what isn’t working. What wasn’t working for me was winging it each day. Whenever I go with the flow with no plan: I feel like I’m reacting all day to things around me I barely make any progress in a million direction I make excuses for why I never have the time I go to bed feeling like I got nothing done Eventually, I stumbled across one little change that I began implementing before I went to bed at night: I started planning out the one main thing that needs to get done the next day to push me towards my goal(s). This one main task is going to be called your frog. I’ll explain why in a second. If you’re one to wing it each day and can relate to how I used to feel than seriously consider this underrated productivity tip. Don't Eat Tadpoles Before Your Frog Brian Tracy, the author of Eat That Frog, talks about keeping the most important task top of mind. That most important task is your frog and you must eat your frog first before you move to less important tadpole tasks. When you’re winging it each day, you’re eating your tadpoles and possibly something completely unrelated first. I hope this metaphor is making sense and I sincerely hope you’re visualizing eating frogs and tadpoles at the moment. :) For me, I’m a one man army and wear a lot of hats in my business. There’s so much to do that I can’t go around guessing anymore as each day is a valuable opportunity to get to where I want to be quicker. This applies to you too, When you’re guessing each day, you’re reacting. If you’re reacting, you’re not fully focused on the main task. Once I started planning out my frog the night before, I gained a ton of clarity and most importantly, I saw progress. What is Your Frog? My frogs tend to vary. What makes my business go is writing, podcasting and drawing either for the podcast or for freelance. When writing is the frog, I mind map my topic the night before so I can let my mind marinate on everything overnight. When I wake up, I know exactly what I need to do and there is no guessing… of course, this comes after coffee. Without planning your frog the night before, you’re waking up and reacting. You can’t take action when you have to think about what you should be doing. By planning your frog the night before: you don’t have to guess what to attack the next day you’ll accomplish more getting closer to your goals you’ll quickly get more work down and find more free time It’s all about creating a nightly habit so you can kick ass in your following day’s routine. My Nightly Ritual At 9pm every night, I have a reminder from my homegirl Siri set to notify me to ’plan out my next day.’ I go in my office or lay in my bed and write in my Passion Planner my 1, sometimes up to 3 frogs that need be eaten in order to move forward to the main goal (making Perspective-Collective a full-time business). I go to bed shortly after and truly believe my mind is subconsciously planning for me so I can just wake up and do my thing. If I showed up and got the main frog eaten, it was a successful day. If there is more time in my schedule after eating the first frog, I know exactly the next frog that I need to devour. Ready to Stop Reacting? If you’re tired of winging it and going to bed each night feeling unaccomplished, try this one tip out. What do you have to lose? Each night, plan one thing that needs to be done the next day. That’s it. I’m not telling you to have to live by a strictly scheduled routine like I do each day. Hell, knocking out that one thing each day will not only help you get more done, but it’ll also give you more guiltless freedom in a day to do what you want. Stop living a life of reacting every day. Plan your frog the night before and I’m confident it’ll be your most underrated get shit done tactic in your daily routine. Key Takeaways Plan out the one main thing the night before that needs to be completed the next day. Each day is a valuable opportunity to get to where you want to be quicker. When you’re guessing each day, you’re reacting. If you’re reacting, you’re not fully focused on the main task. You can’t take action when you have to think about what you should be doing. Show Notes Shawn Blanc Cal Newport - Deep Work (Book) Passion Planner - (Use Name Scotty Russell and email Scotty.Russell1988@gmail.com for reference)

Have you heard of Inktober? It’s an awesome drawing challenge created by the talented Jake Parker that requires consistency and commitment. Throughout the month of October, artists across the globe are challenged to create a daily drawing. That’s 31 drawings if you aren’t sure how many days are in October. :) After being heavily involved in the business side of Perspective-Collective for the past two months, I was eager for a drawing challenge. I’m actually surprised I’ve never jumped at a commitment like this before because I’m infamous for piling projects on my plate. The challenge has recently ended and it solidified that I’m a freakin’ pro at committing to being consistent……..at things that aren’t always best to focus on at a given moment in time. You see, consistency and commitment are great. There are huge benefits to developing these disciplines which I will cover in a bit. On the other hand, there are also consequences when you’re not focused on the right thing at the right time. I want to show you both ends of the spectrum in hopes you will focus on consistency and commitment in the right areas of your creative career. The Benefits of Consistency and Commitment I credit much of any success I’ve had with Perspective-Collective to consistency and commitment. Both have provided me: confidence and growth in my art, writing and speaking a steadily growing audience great freelance opportunities a recent successful product launch over at WeeklyContentChecklist.com a constant stream of new knowledge great interviews with well-known blogs and podcasts etc. I’ve learned that focusing on the right thing at the right time leads to greater rewards and growth. This was the case with a consistent commitment to drawing, blogging, and now podcasting. The results, routine and discipline you develop far outweigh the initial pain points of getting started. There’s no question I put the right focus in these areas, but there are other areas I focus on that hold me back from the overall vision. That’s where you run into problems.   The Inktober Mistake Back to Inktober—while it was fun, looking back on it now I see it wasn’t the best decision. Here’s why…. My goal is to make Perspective-Collective a self-sufficient, full-time gig within the next 5 years so myself and my wife can work from home. The problem is that I’ve accrued a shit ton of student loan debt from attending a private college. Let’s be real, I have over $65,000 of student loan debt I’m being suffocated by—not to mention a mortgage and a car loan. When you look past the follower count and the life I portray through social media, you can see this life I'm living isn't so glamorous. I would trade many of you in a heartbeat in order to have the financial freedom and the daily stress off my back. I’m not making enough at the day job to pay off debt and save at the same time, but I'm determined and will achieve this goal. However, the only way I’m able to this is by pursuing projects that will allow me to knock out this debt quicker. This means I’ve had to start freelancing again—which has actually been fun and I've worked with some awesome clients. I've also begun building digitally based products like my recent Weekly Content Checklist.While posters, t-shirts and patches are nice to haves, there is too much overhead and time that goes into them that I don't have. On top of my current freelance and products, I’ve been managing my weekly blog, newsletter, podcast and a featured custom image to go with them all. While these may not be making me money, they are pivotal to where I see my business going. This isn’t a boast saying I can manage a commitment like Inktober with my current project load—this is me publicly telling you that I’m a fucking lunatic. Cramming more activities to my already over-scheduled life did more damage than I expected. I stressed myself out repeatedly. I missed opportunities to spend quality time with my wife. (no devices and no drawing) I missed opportunities to hang with my family and friends. My split focus hindered me from having the best product launch possible. My content became diluted in blogs and podcasts. I lost sleep I killed my normal routine I missed days at the gym Honestly, the only positives were the fact that I had fun developing a new style in my daily experiments. I guess this new refreshing perspective is a plus too. When Consistency and Commitment Hold You Back When I commit to something I’m all in. There’s no turning back as I pride myself in following through in everything I say I'll do. This pride can produce negative consequences as I mentioned before. When you’re head is down grinding away in the wrong direction, you’re not looking up towards your vision. [ctt link="9hd0D" template="2"]When you’re head is down grinding away in the wrong direction, you’re not looking up towards your vision.[/ctt] You lose sight of the trophy and miss the mark on what's in front of you. For me, I was so wrapped up in my commitment to Inktober that I wasn’t all-in with the one thing that mattered most—drawing my way out of debt to reach my dream. Inktober didn’t help me speed up the process of paying off debt—it took my focus away from the things that would get me there. By consistently committing to things that don’t align to the vision, you're splitting focus and spreading yourself too thin. This reflection has made me recall the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown. Instead of multiple priorities, focus on the highest priority that will get you to where you want to be in life. This is what matters most. What Are You Focusing On? Maybe you think I'm being too hard on myself and that I'm a fun hater. Believe me, if you know me you know I like to have a good time. However, I’m in a season of my life where I know what I want and I’m determined to figure out how to get there. This means I need to crack down harder on shiny object syndrome—which is being distracted by the latest and most fun thing around. I can't promise that I won’t slip up from time to time, but not on a 31-day binge commitment like Inktober. This isn’t about being perfect, this is about proving to myself how serious I am about my goals. My intentions aren’t to get pity from you. I want this self-inflicted stressful month of October to serve as a reminder for you to be wiser than me. Stop feeling like you have to be above average at everything. You don’t and it’s okay to say no to adding something to your plate. Be the person who thrives in one or two things that will get you to your creative goals quicker. Not the person making minimal progress in a million directions. Focus on the essential and then become a consistent and committed freak of nature. Key Takeaways Focusing on the right things at the right time lead to greater rewards The results, routine and discipline you develop far outweigh the initial pain points of getting started. By consistently committing to things that don’t align to the vision, you're splitting focus and spreading yourself too thin. When you’re head is down slaving away in the wrong direction, you’re not looking up towards your vision. Instead of multiple priorities, focus on the highest priority that will get you to where you want to be in life. Avoid the distraction of shiny object syndrome