5 Steps to Avoid the Comparison Trap and Enjoy the Creative Process

$What Are You Working Towards Each Day?: This episode of the Perspective Podcast is about finding what you want in life and making a plan to get there. Scotty covers: - His experiences of doubting his abilities and career - Dealing with the voices in your head - Encouraging positive self-talk - Protecting the vision with a plan - Having some enthusiasm in the work you pursue It’s important to be excited about what you’re working towards each day. There’s one thing that’s certain, by not taking action you will continue to stay caught up in the mundane day-to-day routine. Music by: [Blookah](soundcloud.com/blookah) Find me online at: [PRSPCTV\_CLLCTV Perspective-collective.com](Perspective-collective.com)$

Hitting Home Runs: The Secret to Creating Your Best Work: This episode of the Perspective Podcast is about figuring out the secret to hitting home runs. This is an analogy for creating your best work and it’s done by putting out lots of work and swinging for the fences. Scotty discusses: - The performance of your work **doesn’t define you**. - It takes a lot of **bad** **and mediocre** **work** to stumble across your best. - Swinging for the fences and **pouring everything you have** into your work. - Not focusing on perfection— **higher volume** and **practice** leads to quality. - Find ways to progress each time and experiment in the process. - Staying in the game when you face adversity. “[Art & Fear](http://amzn.to/2b60bZ6)” - A book on figuring out what your art is really about. Music by: [Blookah](https://soundcloud.com/blookah) by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

10 min listen

3 Must Listen to Podcasts to Elevate Your Creative Brand: In this episode of the Perspective Podcast, Scotty discusses his current top 3 podcasts that will help you elevate your creative brand. Audio is one of the best formats for learning something new every day on the go. You can consume them while your working, showering, doing yard work or even just relaxing. If you don't have time for books then podcasts are for you. The 3 top podcast Scotty recommends are: 1. [The Creative Pep Talk Podcast](http://www.andy-j-miller.com/cpt/) with Andy J. Miller This podcast is for creatives who are pursuing a career in freelance while making great art for a living. However, it's more than that in my opinion and I believe it focuses on creative personal / professional development. his quirky sense of humor and laid-back approach really elevates his honest advice on building your creative career. He has this magical way of blending metaphors and storytelling to paint a vivid pictur by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

15 min listen

Your Creative Life is One Big Experiment—Are You Getting Uncomfortable?: 0 by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

12 min listen

(Pt. 3 of 3) Laying the Foundation for Your Personal Brand: How Your Why Attracts an Audience & Inspires Action: In this episode of the Perspective Podcast, Scotty talks about the importance of knowing why you do what you do. Most people think it’s what they do or how they do it that matters most when really those are byproducts that stem from your why. People are attracted to your why. It’s the driving force for what you believe in. It’s the vision that inspires you to inspire others. In order how to understand and clearly communicate your why Scotty breaks down the Golden Circle concept. Imagine a 3 ring diagram where: 1. The inner “bullseye” circle is labeled Why 2. The second middle circle is labeled How. 3. The third outer circle is labeled What. When most people start with the outer rings, my goal is to encourage you to work from the inside out. There are 3 key questions to ask yourself moving forward: - _Who are you helping_? - _How will their lives improve by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

14 min listen

Finding Motivation & Time Outside Your Day Job to Create: ## **Your Dream is Possible When Quit Making Excuses and Start Taking Action** _How awesome would it be to have the motivation and time to pursue your creativity outside your day job_? **Excuses will always be readily available**. _Do you want to go to the grave knowing you never took a shot at trying_? I think I know the answer so here are 4 ways to find the motivation and time necessary to pursue your creativity outside your day. **1. Less Talking and More Action** - Getting started in something is the hardest part of anything. - That’s the thing, motivation _is not_ a source of energy— **it comes from the act of doing**. - Motivation will **find you** when you **commit and begin your work**. It steadily flows when the rubber meets the road. - struggling with setting up a blog and podcast What helps me take action: - Setting a deadline - Creates urgency - Holds you accountable **2. Trim the Fat** by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

20 min listen

(Pt. 1 of 3) Laying the Foundation for Your Personal Brand: Your Story Will Attract People to Your Cause: This week on the Perspective Podcast Scotty talks about the importance of laying a foundation to building a brand and growing an audience. This is the first of a three part series starting with understanding the valuable asset your story is. The main points he covers are: - Building a successful platform with an audience **starts with knowing who you are, what your gift is and why you’re doing it.** - Along with time, your story is one of your **most powerful and valuable assets.** - When you share your story, **you let others who may be in your shoes realize they are not alone with their struggles and fears**. - _Knowing who you are changes what you do._ - One of the _best ways_ I feel to reveal your story to yourself **is through writing**. - **People will care if you tell a compelling story that frames the delivery towards benefiting them.** Music by: [Blookah](file:// by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

11 min listen

5 Steps to Avoid the Comparison Trap and Enjoy the Creative Process: In this episode of the Perspective Podcast, Scotty discusses the dangers of the Comparison Trap. He also gives you 5 steps towards enjoying the creative process so you can break the spell of comparison. These steps are: 1. Find Your Sweet Spot 2. Experimentation 3. Create From an Authentic Place 4. Passion & Enthusiasm 5. Vulnerability ### Takeaways: - **Understand that you are good enough** , but these things never happen overnight for anyone - You need to **have a vision** in order to **enjoy the process and the grind of creating** - **Take your inspiration** and **evolve it into something new and refreshing** - **Plagiarism is never cool** - **Put as much excitement and passion into your work as possible** - People are attracted to those who **relentlessly pursue the things they love** and bring an energy to it - Getting transparent and sharing a vulnerable side of you that people can resonate with w by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

15 min listen

You're an Imposter and That's Okay—Here's Why: _Self-doubt used to be my best friend._ Hell, it still is as I continue to become more vulnerable and push my creative career forward. Seriously, I feel like an imposter _every day_. Why should someone take me seriously and _why should someone care_? The imposter in me feeds me these objections: - You work a day job and am not a proven self-sufficient artist - You have student loan debt and no financial freedom - You don’t have prolific, big name clients\* It's really hard to not let this type of thinking bring me down. Yet at the same time, I realize that none of these things matter if I keep doing **what I know and enjoy the most**. This episode is dedicated to showing you that you are **not the only one** facing an inner struggle each day. I want to convince you that you are an imposter and that’s okay—it means you’re going in the right direction. ## My Current Struggle I’ll be honest; I’ve been in a by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

15 min listen

$You're an Imposter and That's Okay—Here's Why: _Self-doubt used to be my best friend._ Hell, it still is as I continue to become more vulnerable and push my creative career forward. Seriously, I feel like an imposter _every day_. Why should someone take me seriously and _why should someone care_? The imposter in me feeds me these objections: - You work a day job and am not a proven self-sufficient artist - You have student loan debt and no financial freedom - You don’t have prolific, big name clients\* It's really hard to not let this type of thinking bring me down. Yet at the same time, I realize that none of these things matter if I keep doing **what I know and enjoy the most**. This episode is dedicated to showing you that you are **not the only one** facing an inner struggle each day. I want to convince you that you are an imposter and that’s okay—it means you’re going in the right direction. ## My Current Struggle I’ll be honest; I’ve been in a$

Stop Reacting & Get More Done With This Underrated Productivity Tip: ## 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 o by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

14 min listen

Your 2017 Creative Encouragement | Find the Light Within the Darkness: ## It’s Hard to Appreciate the Good Without the Bad Are you one of those people who is claiming 2016 to be one of the _worst years yet_? This seems to be the overwhelming perspective judging by the media. Yes, 2016 had some low points: - The presidential election - Aleppo - North Dakota Pipeline protest - Racism - Terror attacks - Celebrities passing away - Etc. I could keep going and I’m sure you have a few things on your mind that sucked ass too. However, what are some of the good things happened, specifically in your life? If you reflect long enough I guarantee you could find some high points to balance out the rollercoaster year we’ve experienced. I mentioned it in the previous episode 20 but **it’s hard to appreciate the good without the bad**. Seeing the horrible things going on in the world like the suffering people of Aleppo should make you stop and appreciate every little th by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

13 min listen

(Pt. 2 of 3) Side Projects Attract Work You Want to Get Paid to Create: ## Paying the Price to Get Paid How many times have you saw someone’s work and thought to yourself, “Man, I wish I could get paid to do something like that.” Did it cross your mind how could anyone know to hire you if you’re not exploring the type of work you want to be known for and better yet, get paid to do? This is your queue for starting a side project in 2017. Side projects as [Lauren Hom](https://www.instagram.com/homsweethom/) likes to call them are [your secret weapon](https://homsweethom.leadpages.co/secret-weapon-side-project/) for getting paid for the type of work you want to create. Let’s hit on it a little more on how side projects will help you attract the kind of work you want to get paid for by telling you a bit about good friend Ben Hagarty, aka [BenRealVSWorld](http://www.benrealvsworld.com/). ## The Long Road to Getting Paid By Your Dream Job My friend Ben Hagarty has be by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

14 min listen

Location Doesn’t Matter: 2 Ways to Create Successfully Wherever You Live: This episode of the Perspective Podcast is about thriving creatively wherever you live. You don’t need to live in a big city in order to go online and: 1. Find like-minded individuals in communities. 2. Share your creativity with the world. Scotty discusses how: - Communities are out there but you have to be proactive and seek them out. - **Communities allow you to grow, get feedback, collaborate and build a tribe.** - Through **consistently sharing quality work** , you put yourself one scroll or swipe away from getting discovered. - With the click of a button, you can **share your creativity with the world**. - **By stringing together years of consistent work** , you’re giving yourself a huge advantage to get noticed. [Seanwes community](http://seanwes.com) [Seanwes podcast](https://seanwes.com/podcast/) Music by: [Blookah](https://soundcloud.com/blookah) by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

11 min listen

3 Benefits You'll Experience Once You Retire From the People Pleasing Business: This episode of the Perspective Podcast is stepping away from feeling the need to please others and cater your work towards their preference. Scotty gives you 3 benefits you’ll experience once you retire from this business and focus on doing the work that resonates with you the most. These benefits are: 1. The pressure is off 2. You can be yourself 3. The right audience will find you Key Takeaways - You have permission to enjoy what you create. - Trying to create work that appeals to everyone means that it will resonate with no one. - Embrace your unique abilities and think, speak and create from a place that is true to yourself. - Your right message will find the right audience at the right moment. - People are attracted to people who stand for something. - Never alter your DNA as you were created to create. - You can truly please the right audience once you are c by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

11 min listen

Battle Creative Block: Collect Your Ideas & Build a Gold Reserve: ## Battle Creative Block and Spend More Creating Creative block is the worst, especially when you forget that great idea you had when driving on the highway. How awesome would it be if you never had a shortage of ideas to draw from so you can spend more time creating? (that’s a drawing pun) I can safely say that I rarely deal with creative block because I collect practically every idea that comes my way. Someone on my newsletter recently asked me how I went about this and I felt my reply could make a helpful episode in case you struggle with a lack of ideas. Having a gold reserve of ideas has helped me battle creative block with: - episode artwork - client work - personal work I’m going to give you 4 ways to collect and build up your idea gold reserve so you can spend more time creating. This will help you easily come back to that idea you had when waiting in line at Chik-Fil-A. ## **1. A Pocket S by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

14 min listen

11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza: ## Notify the Universe and Show the Work You Want to Get I can remember way back during the bowl cut and JNCO days as a kid and how lit Friday nights were. I’d lounge on the couch watching TGIF and have a whole frozen pizza to myself. Ya, those were the good days. It sparked my obsession with pizza because I grew up picky with a small desire to try other foods. Don’t get me wrong, a frozen pizza is still a delight, but I’ve graduated to delivery and I’m not talking Digiorno. I’ve been doing little pizza doodles forever yet I never really started sharing them till the past few years. I’m learning to embrace this little quirk of mine because: 1. it reminds me that I don’t always have to take myself so seriously 2. it reminds me to have fun and constantly experiment While the context behind this seems random, I assure you there is a point to this all. I recently came across this sweet [Dominoes Pizza box design](https://i by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

20 min listen

7 Situations When Free Work May Be in Your Best Interest: The preface of this episode stems from some recent free work I was selected to create. I feel this could yield some value to you if you ever get stuck in the same situation. Recently, a local pizza joint, [Urban Pie](https://www.facebook.com/urbanpiecf/), opened up close to me and they put out a call to local creatives through Facebook. They asked for help in designing their massive chalkboard menu as well as their cornerstone quick bake pizza oven. By now you need to know that I’m weirdly passionate about pizza art so I figured why not inquire for more details. It came back as exposure work… If you’re like me then you’re not a fan of crowd sourcing artists and paying them in exposure. A lot of companies do this to try and position it as they are benefiting the artist when in reality; they are the ones who are winning. Before you go rolling your eyes I want you to hear me out. After consulting my mastermind g by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

18 min listen

(Pt. 3 of 3) 3 Ingredients for Getting Exposure On Your Side Projects: ## 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 a by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

17 min listen

Give it Time to Grow Ft. Matt Dawson of Stay Gray Ponyboy: ## Give it Time to Grow & Tilt the Scales in Your Favor This week on the show we have a very special guest who just got done hosting an amazing conference called [Crop in Baton Rouge](https://www.instagram.com/cropbr/). [Matt Dawson](https://www.instagram.com/staygrayponyboy/) is a talented designer and connector who creates under the name [Stay Gray Ponyboy](http://www.staygrayponyboy.com/) in Atlanta. He is a shining example of someone who put in the work and used the power of side projects to build a name for himself. He’s not only an insanely talented individual but he’s grown into becoming a really good friend of mine and I can’t wait to share his story with you. ## Stumbling into Graphic Design Growing up, Matt was always involved with sports, music and drawing. As he approached college, he thought landscape architecture sounded appealing and was involved in that for 3.5 years out of the 5-year progra by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

43 min listen

Dealing With Creative Funks & Feeling Invisible: ## 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 by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

19 min listen

Finding Time to Build For Yourself Outside of Your Day Job: # 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](https://www.instagram.com/rustic_overtones by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

16 min listen

$Finding Time to Build For Yourself Outside of Your Day Job: # Finding Time to Build For Yourself I don’t want to be the guy who stands on a soapbox giving advice. Rather, I want to be the person who shares what works and what doesn’t work for me as I figure things out on my own creative path. Maybe you’ll find something that you should or shouldn’t apply to your own method of madness. If you’re listening to the show then I’m taking a stab at the fact that you’re like me. You want to build something, something that’s your own. Something you can be proud of and enjoy doing along the way. Something you can leave behind for other people to enjoy. Finding time to build for yourself can be difficult. Especially when you are building something for someone else full time with a day job or have kids and other commitments. That’s what today’s topic is about as it comes directly from Shane Donaldson aka [@Rustic\_Overtones](https://www.instagram.com/rustic_overtones$

You’re Doing the Best You Can - You Got This: ## The Powerful Combination of Imagination & Resourcefulness It’s easy to get caught up in thinking you don’t have the best tools, resources and skills at your disposal. It’s even easier to let these “obstacles” hold you back from pursuing or sticking with something that’s important to you. When in reality, it’s rare that someone has the skills or resources right out of the gate. I know I didn’t. At the end of the day, it’s about **doing something instead of nothing and realizing you’re doing the best you can.** That’s all you _can_ and _should_ expect from yourself. When you stick with it and look back on the progress you made, you'll realize that **imagination and resourcefulness are a powerful combination**. This episode is a daily reminder not only to you but to myself when I get caught up in letting that inner critic convince me that I’m not doing enough. ## Figuring Things Out One of the most challenging t by Side Hustler's Perspective with Coach Scotty Russell

14 min listen

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5 Steps to Avoid the Comparison Trap and Enjoy the Creative Process

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