Do you ever publish something and then immediately begin refreshing the analytics to see whether it's "working?"
I've been there.
But what happens when it's not?
If you're like me on my worst days, you may feel defeated. Disappointed. Maybe you even begin questioning whether you're any good at this content thing because—after all—where's the evidence that anyone actually cares?
I hope you don't relate to this. And if you don't, feel free to skip the rest! You're in a good place, and you should stay there!
But if you do relate to what I'm saying, keep reading.
The artist vs. the entrepreneur
Being a creator means that you're one part artist and one part entrepreneur. The artist in you wants to make the things you want to make—without regard for how they are received. But the entrepreneur part of you knows that if you aren't creating value for others, there's no value to be captured either.
Personally, I lean 80/20 entrepreneur most of the time. I'm thinking about content as a part of a machine that is, ultimately, a business. When content isn't performing, it signals a broken machine and a threat to the business as a whole.
Ah! Scary!
But it's the artist in you that colors your work and makes it uniquely yours. The artist is what infuses your work with emotion. It's what actually makes what you create connect with the consumer on the other side.
I have a bad habit of tuning out my artist's voice just when I need to hear it the most. When the entrepreneur in me is scared (or panicking), he wrestles even more control away from the artist.
"This is a business threat that needs a business solution!"
But in doing so, it crushes the interesting, meaty, feely bits out of the work. The entrepreneur strives for a certain polish that rubs off all the edges people can actually grip onto.
Do it for you
I've been writing a lot more lately. Some of it is published, most of it is not. Most recently, I published an essay on Substack describing how I've never quite felt like I fit in anywhere. I've felt that essay bubbling up (festering, really) for months, but the entrepreneur in me was ignoring it.
"This doesn't fit the Creator Science container," it said.
So...I made a new container. Two, actually. Besides my personal Substack, I also created a new Instagram account dedicated solely to my writing. No agenda there, just a safe space for the artist to play without regard.
After publishing that essay, do you know what I felt?
Joy.
Relief.
That feeling you have after throwing up, where even though it was gross and painful in the moment, you're immediately glad you did.
But here's the best part: I didn't care at all how it "performed." Making it was enough.
Do it for fun and take pride
This personal writing has been such a great reminder that when you create something you're proud of—and when you have fun doing it—that's enough. I don't care whether it performs because I didn't make it to perform—I made it because I wanted to (in some cases, because I had to).
This is what I'm chasing in this season. It may not be the optimal strategy, but if I'm not proud of what I make or having fun doing it, it's probably not going to perform anyway. With so much midslop and midcontent, I don't think anyone cares to see your attempt at going through the motions.
It's never been a more radical time to be YOU without assistance. To follow your curiosity and make the things you can't help but make.
This is my challenge to you this week: Make that thing you can't stop thinking about. Even if you've been talking yourself out of it for whatever valid-sounding reason, just give yourself the permission slip to do it.
Have fun. Take pride. Give yourself a break from the judgment of others.
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I've been working with my talented partners for months to develop a new sales page for The Lab. And it's finally done!
This page perfectly encapsulates the vibe, legitimacy, brand, and fun we have in the community. Andrew Ellis developed the trailer you'll see at the top of the page, Martin Cris designed the page, and Hollie Arnett developed the brand as a whole. All three are members of The Lab and incredible creatives who helped really bring this to life.
This page is a perfect example of something I took pride in making.
Check it out! Learn more about the community. If it speaks to you, join Basic or apply for Standard and VIP. In a world where public information is abundant, the edge now comes from the experiments you run yourself and the experiments of others that you can learn from.
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