Shiny object syndrome is the insidious trap of constantly seeking out the next best thing, the newest gadget, the latest tool or platform to give us that extra edge in our work. Creators are particularly susceptible to this syndrome because we are wired to explore, discover, and experiment. We live in a culture that prizes innovation and encourages us to constantly push the boundaries of what is possible. The problem arises when this urge to... read more ›
835 reads
Jun
12
Sep
27
"It's easier to poke holes in an idea than think of ways to fill them. And it's easier to focus on the 100 reasons you shouldn't do something rather than the one reason you should." - Wendy Kopp, Founder of Teach for All This quote resonated with me so much I figured it deserved its own episode. Good ideas are a dime a dozen. So what separates the ideas that stay on the shelf from... read more ›
1K reads
Jun
01
How do you break out of creative ruts? On today's episode I take a question from Aaron, who feels uninspired and unable to progress as a photographer. My answer, applicable to any problem or craft, comes in two separate parts. First, personal style: the number one challenge I see with portfolio reviews is a lack of a consistent theme and vision in the work. Developing a distinct personal style is the foundation of what this... read more ›
353 reads
Jan
18
Whether you know it or not, there are a whole host of things that either stimulate or obstruct our productivity and creativity. Where we work, the people we see, the equipment we use, the sounds we hear, even the information we consume. The good news is that we can develop systems that can help us harness and fuel our creativity instead of diminish it. Today on the show, I'm sharing a few of my favorite... read more ›
299 reads
Nov
04
For the last 30 years, Seth Godin has been turning on the lights for millions of people (myself included) through his blog, online courses, lectures, and 19 best-selling books. Yes- 19! If you’ve been following his work, you’ll know he’s one most brilliant marketing minds of our time. Now he’s out with his 20th book, The Practice: Shipping Creative Work. If you’ve been listening to this podcast for awhile, you’ll know I’m a huge believer... read more ›
1.6K reads
Mar
04
One of the most common misconceptions I come across is the belief that once you’ve somehow “made it," I / one / you don’t hit ruts, bumps, run into blocks, or otherwise get paralyzed by the creative work that needs doing. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. I get thrown for a loop all the time. I’ve found myself off my game at numerous times in my career, getting lost for a... read more ›
26.8K reads