What are you creating… for you?

Important Announcement!: "There is a fountain of youth: It is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love." - Sophia Loren

See, I told you it was important.

Hiya,

Last week on LinkedIn, I tested a “new” content series I'm calling Prompts for Humans.

These are tips I’ve shared before, but with new examples, a new name, and new pants.

This whole series is teeing up a new product launch coming later this year.

Which, in Dan Nelken Time, means summer 2068. Save the date!

2 x bonus tips for those of you foolish enough to be creating your own content:

If you want to create better content faster, think in series vs. one-off posts. Answering... “What's my next Prompts for Humans post?" is much easier than answering, “WTF should I post today???”
It's okay to share content you've shared before, as long a you change its pants.

In my last newsletter, I wrote about two kinds of career stress:

No-Bueno Stress: This is usually a contract or a project at your 9-to-5. Or it IS your 9-to-5. And the only reward once these things are over is that they're fucking over.

Yes-Bueno Stress: This stress is related to something you’ve created for yourself. It could be a book, a film, a course, a business, or a product. This stress sucks, too. But the reward on the other side of this one is growth.

Both kinds are uncomfortable.

But one eats away at your soul. While the other one feeds it.

And when I shared this 👆 sentiment a couple of weeks ago, it inspired this one-line email reply from a reader...

James O’Laughlin wrote:

"It reminds me of, 'Just a cold, dark night on the other side of Everest."

I hadn't heard that one before, so I googled it.

It led me to this Medium article where the author explained:

"Just as climbers must endure freezing, dark nights, dangerous conditions, and exhausting efforts to reach the summit, meaningful personal or professional goals require enduring difficult stretches."

And that led me to an article about Alia Crum, who popularized the Everest quote.

Which led me to the beginning of the book, The Road Less Travelled—

"Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult."

The "life is no longer difficult" is a bit of stretch, but I love it in this context because people assume once they decide to pursue something of their own, it will be pure joy.

Like, whenever I used to have an idea for a screenplay, there were no steps in between having the idea and accepting my Oscar.

But as soon as things got a little cold and dark, out came my excuses:

"I don't have time."
"I'm too busy with work."
"All of my creativity goes into my work."
"It's a good idea, but not a good idea for me."

I never even made it to base camp. Or bought a backpack.

And surprise, surprise, still not Oscar.

If you have the desire to create more for yourself, and you're not taking action, I want you to think about a conversation I had recently with Porridge Foot Pete.

Who is Porridge Foot Pete?

Two weeks ago, a group of us met for a pint to celebrate my friend's birthday.

About 30 minutes in, through the pub window, we saw a taxi pull up. Out stepped my friend's father, Peter, who was wearing a fine suit. And a backpack.

Peter and I didn't know each other before this night.

Fortunately, he sat next to me.

Unfortunately, the live music made it difficult to hear each other. Especially for his 89-year-old ears.

But that night, I learned that Peter went to Oxford.

I learned that he loved Jazz (That's where he got his nickname, although I didn't get the backstory).

He was a professor and lecturer who travelled the world to speak.

He has written four books.

Words have been his superpower.

But the loud music was his kryptonite on this night. It clearly disoriented him, and he occasionally lost his train of thought and couldn’t find his words.

When this happened, he would put his face in his hands and grit his teeth. He was so frustrated, he couldn't hide it.

In between songs, I asked him if he still writes.

He shook his head.

"I don't. And if Judith were still here, she would slap me."

Judith passed a short time ago. He lost the love of his life. His muse. And with her, his motivation.

I bring this conversation up because it was a reminder for me to create while I still can. And while I still have the desire and motivation.

Because all of those things can be taken from us.

So, if you have the desire, it’s time to act on it. Start building something of your own. Do it for you. Do it for Peter and Judith.

And know that it's going to get cold and dark at times.

But if you dig your feet in and commit to making it to the summit, I guarantee you 3 things:

You won't regret it.
You won't regret it.
You won't regret it.

If you liked this email, hit reply and tell me why.

And if you really liked this email, read the next paragraph...

My community, The Escape Artists, is opening up again this September to only 50 more people. If you want to create more for yourself alongside like-minded people around the world, click on the big red button below. If you're an empathetic, kind, driven, creative person, you will love it. And it will love you back.