The Journey Begins

Whether you're an aspiring author or someone on a creative journey, there’s a truth that might surprise you:

You’re not just a creator; you’re an entrepreneur!

Stepping into the world of indie authorship or any creative endeavor with hopes of turning it into a full-time or part-time career means you’re venturing into the realm of entrepreneurship. This journey requires more than just creative talent; it demands a business mindset, resilience, and a deep commitment to growth.

You might not see yourself as a traditional business owner, but the parallels are striking. Just as an entrepreneur nurtures a startup, you must nurture your creative projects. This path is not just about the art of writing, painting, or crafting—it’s about building something sustainable, something that reflects your unique voice and vision.

In the words of Todd Henry, author of Die Empty: Unleash Your Best Work Every Day "Your days are finite. One day, they will run out. The challenge, of course, is closing the gap between our aspirational ideal of giving our lives all we got and our current reality that may fall a little (or a lot) short of that"​.

This is the core of your creative journey: closing that gap and unleashing your best work every day.

As we explore the stages of creative entrepreneurship, remember this: The process is not linear, and each stage is essential to your growth. Like Leonardo da Vinci, who believed in the power of curiosity and continuous learning​, you too must embrace every stage of this journey with both passion and perseverance.

The Stages of Creative Entrepreneurship

Stage 1: Formulation Stage

Imagine your business as a blank canvas. This is where you're armed with brushes of planning and palettes of ideas. In the Formulation stage, you're doing a full-on brain dump—jotting down business plans, marketing strategies, budgets, and so forth. For you, the aspiring indie author, this could mean outlining your book series, planning your publishing schedule, or brainstorming promotional ideas. Get those creative juices flowing and let your imagination run wild, but on paper!

Nugget of Wisdom: As Michael Gelb, author of How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day puts it:

"Great minds ask great questions. The questions that ‘engage our thought’ on a daily basis reflect our life purpose and influence the quality of our lives"​.

Start by asking yourself powerful questions:

* What is your ultimate goal as a writer?

* Who is your ideal reader?

* What impact do you want your work to have?

Let these questions guide your planning.

Stage 2: Concentration Stage

Welcome to the grind! The Concentration Stage is all about effort, often with little immediate payoff. For every ten actions, maybe only one yields a result. But don't fret—this is normal. It’s like pushing a stalled car; lots of energy out, very little movement. For an indie author, this might look like sending out numerous manuscript queries, posting relentlessly on social media, or attending countless networking events, all with minimal feedback or success. Remember, you're not spinning your wheels. Every action is a step toward getting your writing career moving.

I’m pretty much in this stage when it comes to my Write On Purpose Coaching work and especially here on Substack (and I’ve been on Substack for over a year.) So, remember, this stage is where purposeful patience and persistence pays off in big dividends down the road.

Nugget of Wisdom: Cal Newport emphasizes the importance of Deep Work (which is also the title of his great book)—the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task​. This stage requires you to immerse yourself in your craft, undeterred by the slow pace of progress. Stay disciplined, and keep your focus sharp.

Invitation to the Deep End: Ready to Dive Deeper?

At this point in our journey, you’ve seen the first two stages of creative entrepreneurship—the excitement of Formulation and the grind of Concentration. But there’s so much more to explore! If you’re ready to unlock the next levels of Momentum, Stability, and Breakthrough, consider joining our community of dedicated creators.

What’s behind the paywall?

* Exclusive Insights: Gain access to advanced strategies that will help you build momentum, achieve stability, and experience those thrilling breakthroughs.

* Actionable Tools: Practical exercises from the Write On Purpose process that will keep you aligned with your creative goals.

* Inspiration on Tap: Dive into a curated selection of wisdom from great thinkers, tailored to fuel your creative and entrepreneurial journey.

Remember, as Rollo May, the author of The Courage to Create so beautifully put it:

"Courage is not the absence of despair; it is, rather, the capacity to move ahead in spite of despair"​.

This journey isn’t just about creating art; it’s about building a life of meaning, fulfillment, and yes, even a bit of entrepreneurial success.

Author’s Note: You may notice if you click on any of the book titles in this post, that is if you’re reading or listening to it on the web, you will be taken, not to Amazon, but to Bookshop.org. If you purchase from them, the independent bookstore of my choice, Off the Wall Books n Cafe will receive a small portion of the proceeds. It’s not that I have anything against Amazon. I just believe in sharing the wealth.

A Word from Our Sponsor - Write On Purpose Coaching

Registration is now open for the Write On Purpose Masterclass that starts on Monday, November 18 (with the other dates, Wednesday, November 20, and Friday, November 22.)

If you're ready to take your writing journey to the next level and create work that truly matters, don't miss this opportunity! The Write On Purpose Masterclass is your gateway to unlocking your creative potential and leaving a lasting legacy through your writing. This transformative 3-part webinar series will guide you through essential mindset shifts, strategic models, and new definitions of success that will empower you to write with purpose and passion.

The Time to Register is NOW! Secure your spot to gain access to all three sessions and take the next step toward transforming your writing career.

www.wbradfordswift.com/wopmasterclass

and start your journey to becoming the author you were meant to be.