Stay With It

You're quitting your creative projects too early. Stay with it.

Author

Chris Valdheims
August 26, 2023

Listen to this episode: “Stay with it”

I almost have a top 1% podcast. And it’s only been a few months since I’ve been at this.

This episode is episode 14, and I read something recently that said that if you post 21 episodes of a podcast, then you’re in the top 1% of podcasts.

So I am like 66% there.

For real, though, that bar is pretty low.

And that’s because most people quit way too early. All of the demons we’ve discussed here conspire to shut down our creative projects before gaining any traction. Perfectionism, limiting stories, discomfort about vulnerability, comparison, and many associated lovelies align against us and end things too soon.

Too bad. ☠️

That 1% stat is just one example showing how people quit too early.

So, that’s why I am talking about the value of staying with your creative projects and turning your creativity into a consistent practice of making and sharing.

And sticking with that.

It can be super hard to see creative projects through.

We often believe that success (however we choose to define it) happens linearly and that we will constantly get positive feedback that affirms our efforts.

That’s not the case.

Before any success lies a lull that we must endure (sometimes) before getting positive feedback.

The graphic from Janis Ozolins illustrates the point concisely and perfectly.

Image from Janis Ozolins

So anyway, this episode goes out to all of you who are staying with it or want to. I chat a bit about how I’ve slowly learned to stick with projects by turning them into a consistent practice - without losing creative edge or inspiration.

And why relying on inspiration can be a trap for creative folks.

Listen to this episode: “Stay with it”

PS - What creative project do you want to stick with? 🖤

PPS - If you want musical inspiration for this topic, it’s Risky Roadz x Skepta x Suspect x Shailan - “Stay With It.”