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9 Mantras That Changed My Life Forever
Almost a year ago, all of this started by accident. I found myself muttering the same phrase every morning as I walked my dog. 2 words: “Thank you.” I would say those two words over and over again. A kind of chant. I probably looked a little …
Here’s One Thing You Can Do If You Have a Boring Job
My first week of corporate work, I was assigned 18 company policies to read. My second week of work, I was given 40 hours to complete a draft of ONE document. My third week of work, I was in a meeting about a project I might join one day. My forth …
10 Things that Surprised Me About Growing Up
1) Nobody feels like an adult Most of us are just faking it. 2) Many people do not care about their jobs The idea of doing good work for good work’s sake is not universal. 3) Life goes faster every year Luckily, someone explained this one to …
How to Find Your Unfair Advantage
“I used to be like you, but now I’ve found the answer, and here it is.” This is the undercurrent of every personal development article you’ve ever read. Perhaps nothing sells better than the “I once was lost but now I’m found” narrative. Hope is …
The Ultimate Survival Guide to Not Fitting In
Someone once told me to write about what I know, so here’s this: I’m good at not fitting in. I do it all the time. But humans need to belong, so I do these things to make people think I’m a normal human being. 1. Improve your small talk No …
Can Anyone Be Creative?
Yes. Okay, that was easy. Can I take the rest of the post off? No? Fine. Look, here's the deal, Creativity is nothing more or less than coming up with a new solution to an existing problem. Sometimes that problem is getting your drink out of a cup …
The Endless Cycle of Creative Procrastination
Phase 1: You come up with a new idea. You love ideas! They are sexy and pure. Out of the corner of your eye, it winks at you. You melt. Abandoning all else, you take the jump and fall hard. Phase 2: You pour your heart and soul into the idea. This …
How to Tell Your Dad You Are An Artist
He'll react badly. I'm just telling you this up front because you need to be ready for it. It's not his fault, really. He wants what's good for you. Put yourself in his shoes for a moment - he helped bring you to this planet, kept you alive for …
What Happens When Our Heroes Have Flaws?
When I worked at a summer camp, we often had themed dress days. For Christmas Days, you’d wear all your Christmas accessories. For Disney Day, you’d dress as a prince or princess or something. For Donald Trump day you’d all wear ridiculous …
Guess I Don’t Have What it Takes to be a Hustler Because…
I am tired of running the rat race. I am tired of self-improvement. I am tired of podcasts, self-help, growth, personal development, online courses, and business 101. I am tired of chasing dollars. I am tired of writing. I am tired of coming up …
On Staring Down the Face of Obscurity
I get it, you know. I get how it feels to want to be somebody. Not just somebody your mom and dad knows. Not just somebody who has a few likes on their Facebook page. Not just somebody who wishes they were somebody. And honestly, I …
Are You Buying Into this Lie?
All this "The rich just get richer" nonsense has got to go. If you've ever believed you don't have a chance because of who you are, who your parents work, where you were born, or who you were related to, you have been fed a lie. Life is not …
If You Want to Create Better Stuff, You Probably Need More of This
It was board game night at the Brison household, and I was about to flip a table over 3 cardboard coins. We were playing 7 Wonders, a game which I would only recommend if numbers, fantasy, and statistics appeal to you. (Luckily my family falls …
The 6 Step Guide to Selling Your Soul for Money
Inside every Creative is a raging Gorilla-Beast dying to be free. This beast does his own thing, ignores all advice and criticism, and makes whatever he wants for whomever he wants whenever he wants. There's an obvious problem here: …
4 Words You Need to Hear Today
It's safe to say my writing career, my success at my "real job," or even these words you're reading right now would not exist if I hadn't been told the words I'm about to tell you: …
What Writers Really Care About
It's not the hearts. It's not the "likes." It's not the spikes in stats on Wordpress. It's not the hollow pats on the back. It's not the fame. It's not the ability to say "I'm a writer" (although that's nice). It's not the windfall …
Journaling is Annoying. Here’s What I Do Instead
I know, I know. I've heard all the arguments for journaling. It's reflective. You learn about yourself. It keeps your life in perspective. But frankly, it just wasn't doing it for me. Whenever I write, I want to be moving toward something. …
My Biggest Takeaway From College Wasn’t a Degree
I remember when it happened. The biology test, bright red “62” beaming out in mockery, was crumbled up in my hand. I bit my lip, not sure if I was going to scream or cry. How could this happen? I was a great high school student. I cruised through …