It often feels like the only acceptable version of success to aspire to is to aim a high as humanly possible.
And so we dream of selling out arena tours across every continent, writing the NYT bestselling book, or changing the lives of a million people through our work.
What we often forget in our quest for big success however, is that it’s not the only version of success.
We don’t need to be famous to make a living or an impact.
In fact, it’s often easier to achieve both when we set our sights a little lower. To the more attainable, more immediate.
When we lower our gaze, we realize the opportunities that are right in front of us, ripe for the picking.
The path to big success is filled with gatekeepers to persuade, walls to climb and moats (filled with crocodiles, no less) to swim across.
Sure, it’s an adventure, if that’s what you’re after. But is that the adventure you really want?
Attainable success on the other hand is freely available to anyone simply willing to show up and do the work.
Don’t be fooled, the work is required, and it’s not easy.
The irony is that so many twist themselves in knots, attempting to scale the walls, swim the moats, and persuade the gatekeepers, all in an attempt to avoid doing the work that would surely deliver results if only they could settle down and focus.
The opportunities for joy, impact, and meaning are already in front of you.
Take them.
Explore how to navigate a creative life that matters
This article originally appeared in my weekly Creative Wayfinding Newsletter. Each issue is the product of a week of work, and contains something not available for sale.
A fresh perspective, a shot of encouragement when you need it most, and maybe even some genuine wisdom from time to time.
Each week, we explore a different facet of the question “How do we navigate the wilds of creating work that matters?”
It’s something I’m proud to create and I’d be honoured to share it with you.
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