Show notes
"The mental game is the biggest game you'll ever play."
Hey, guys, welcome back to ONKEN RADIO (previously NION Radio), the podcast where we explore the body, mind, and soul of the creative entrepreneur. It’s my goal to help you take your creativity, business, and life to the next level. I’m so glad you’re joining me on this journey!
I receive a lot of questions through my website, and this week I want to answer one of them. This particular question asks for ways to stay motivated and focused, and if you're any sort of creative, this episode is something that’s close to your heart. As a creative myself, I know that despite the beauty and inspiration that comes with it, the lifestyle is attached to the pressure of creating all the time.
However, this might be the easier part because the real challenge lies in maintaining discipline in creating, particularly when there are persistent obstacles experienced along the journey. Yet, it's something that all creatives must learn to deal with because, at the end of the day, our success lies in our ability to focus and get going.
Today, let's take this chance to look closely at how the creative journey happens. In doing so, I'll use my very own experiences starting as a photographer and now as an entrepreneur. I'll also share the five things I've learned throughout the years that kept me motivated and focused. Finally, I want to end this post by explaining how the right perspective has helped me pursue the life I've always wanted!
Describing the Creative Journey
When we are young, we are often told to study and get a degree for our future careers. This is what every parent hopes for their child, and so most of us simply follow that route without asking why. But there are many reasons why people should pursue creative journeys — to find out who they really are, to discover hidden potential, and finally just to have fun while doing it. Looking at my journey, I can say that I experienced all these things mentioned above.
Luckily, I also learned more.
When I first started photography years ago, I wanted everything — to be at the top and be a commercial photographer for big brands. It was also during that time that I learned the importance of patience. I had to stay patient to build my portfolio. I had to accept that it will take me time and daily practice to reach my goals. Malcolm Gladwell and many influential people talk about this through the 10,000-hour rule. I think this is true, as it took me roughly 10,000 hours of working or about five years just to get to a space where I was making decent money and my craft was becoming commercially viable.
This success eventually led me to the decision of becoming an entrepreneur. Throughout the years, I've seen my business go far down the drain only for it to go back up, then go up some more, and finally down again. When you're first starting, this can be very difficult. Many times, this scenario has kept me from creating, moving forward, and building. But I realized that what I'm doing is not just my livelihood — it's something that I've always wanted to do, and I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else.
Now you might think that it's probably easier today than it was years ago, but the answer is no. Even after 15 to 20 years in my career, I still go through these challenges. But with time, patience, and experience on my side, I have learned that these ups and downs are all a part of the journey. Most importantly, I’ve learned that the key to success in any creative endeavor lies in staying mentally focused and motivated.
How To Stay Motivated and Focused
While learning that motivation and focus keep the creativity flowing, the truth is, staying that way isn’t easy. It takes work and consistent practice.
There’s no single way to stay on track with your goals.
Hey, guys, welcome back to ONKEN RADIO (previously NION Radio), the podcast where we explore the body, mind, and soul of the creative entrepreneur. It’s my goal to help you take your creativity, business, and life to the next level. I’m so glad you’re joining me on this journey!
I receive a lot of questions through my website, and this week I want to answer one of them. This particular question asks for ways to stay motivated and focused, and if you're any sort of creative, this episode is something that’s close to your heart. As a creative myself, I know that despite the beauty and inspiration that comes with it, the lifestyle is attached to the pressure of creating all the time.
However, this might be the easier part because the real challenge lies in maintaining discipline in creating, particularly when there are persistent obstacles experienced along the journey. Yet, it's something that all creatives must learn to deal with because, at the end of the day, our success lies in our ability to focus and get going.
Today, let's take this chance to look closely at how the creative journey happens. In doing so, I'll use my very own experiences starting as a photographer and now as an entrepreneur. I'll also share the five things I've learned throughout the years that kept me motivated and focused. Finally, I want to end this post by explaining how the right perspective has helped me pursue the life I've always wanted!
Describing the Creative Journey
When we are young, we are often told to study and get a degree for our future careers. This is what every parent hopes for their child, and so most of us simply follow that route without asking why. But there are many reasons why people should pursue creative journeys — to find out who they really are, to discover hidden potential, and finally just to have fun while doing it. Looking at my journey, I can say that I experienced all these things mentioned above.
Luckily, I also learned more.
When I first started photography years ago, I wanted everything — to be at the top and be a commercial photographer for big brands. It was also during that time that I learned the importance of patience. I had to stay patient to build my portfolio. I had to accept that it will take me time and daily practice to reach my goals. Malcolm Gladwell and many influential people talk about this through the 10,000-hour rule. I think this is true, as it took me roughly 10,000 hours of working or about five years just to get to a space where I was making decent money and my craft was becoming commercially viable.
This success eventually led me to the decision of becoming an entrepreneur. Throughout the years, I've seen my business go far down the drain only for it to go back up, then go up some more, and finally down again. When you're first starting, this can be very difficult. Many times, this scenario has kept me from creating, moving forward, and building. But I realized that what I'm doing is not just my livelihood — it's something that I've always wanted to do, and I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else.
Now you might think that it's probably easier today than it was years ago, but the answer is no. Even after 15 to 20 years in my career, I still go through these challenges. But with time, patience, and experience on my side, I have learned that these ups and downs are all a part of the journey. Most importantly, I’ve learned that the key to success in any creative endeavor lies in staying mentally focused and motivated.
How To Stay Motivated and Focused
While learning that motivation and focus keep the creativity flowing, the truth is, staying that way isn’t easy. It takes work and consistent practice.
There’s no single way to stay on track with your goals.