CREATIVE FIELD NOTES: It’s Okay Not to Know What You’re Doing (1)

If you’re feeling unsure or stuck right now, that’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay. There’s no rulebook for knowing exactly which direction is the best. We often look around and see others seemingly ahead, while we’re just running in circles, trying to keep pace. But remember, no journey is linear.

I was reflecting on a passage from Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements, and it stuck with me, especially the part about "Always do your best." It’s not about perfection; it’s about doing the best you can in this moment, with your current circumstances, energy levels, and abilities. Your best isn’t a fixed measure; it shifts with where you are right now—and that’s the beauty of it.

The Essence of Being a Creative

As creatives, we pour ourselves into our work not necessarily for external validation but for that sense of internal satisfaction. That feeling when we’ve put our heart into something, even if it isn’t “perfect.” So, when you’re asking yourself “What’s my best?”—know that it changes. Some days, your best might be showing up with full energy, and other days, it might just be getting through the day.

Practicing Self-Compassion

The world already tries to beat us down with endless comparisons, skyrocketing costs, and distractions at every turn. The last thing we need is to be too hard on ourselves. Be kind to yourself when your best doesn’t measure up to your ideal. Pushing too hard can lead to burnout, frustration, and creative dissatisfaction.

I recently listened to a conversation with the president of Shopify, and he shared something that hit home. Even a massive company like Shopify didn’t start where it is now. In the early days, they were just “throwing things at the wall,” figuring it out step by step. That’s the story for so many of us—creatively and entrepreneurially. We’re all learning, adjusting, and pushing for that one extra notch of progress.

Embracing the Mess

If what you’re working on right now feels messy, that’s fine—it might be messy, but over time, things will clear up. The mess becomes less daunting when we give ourselves time and space to clean it up. We’re all out here, cleaning up our own messes, one day at a time. Don’t get caught up worrying about others who seem like they have it all together. Even the wealthiest and most successful people don’t always know what they’re doing.

It’s about tenacity, not perfection. Keep going.

WHATS COMING NEXT

• We’re launching our Creative Services this October! Whether you’re an entrepreneur, content creator, or business owner looking to make your strategy and content work for you, we’re excited to collaborate and help you succeed.

• We’re excited to announce the launch of our Creator Network! This network is designed to support full-time creatives, part-time creatives, and those eager to start but unsure where to begin. Through the network, you’ll gain access to valuable resources tailored to your creative journey. Keep an eye out for an email with more details soon! We recognize our audience is diverse, and we’re committed to providing the right tools to help everyone thrive

• Continuing our latest series on YouTube “Video Diaries” which you can watch the latest episode here. The goal is 100 episodes of life behind the scenes and insights.

• Free E-book dropping in October as well.

• I’m moving our more personal newsletter to Substack. If you’re already following me there, that’s great! If not, I’d love for you to join—feel free to follow both newsletters if you'd like. This newsletter will focus on business tips, insights, creator growth, monetization strategies, content hacks, and more. moving forward.

  As always,

  Stay Thriving, Stay Blessed.