Embracing change, even when it feels like a complete dissolution of our current state, can lead to significant personal and professional growth. This episode highlights the importance of being flexible, following our interests, and not being overly rigid or strategic in our approach to sharing knowledge or marketing ourselves.Finding Your Own North StarNotionMy “Let me be your guest” page

This is a long one, but another diary entry that attempts to sum up Mark's last few years, so you can have a sense of what has contributed to his burnout. Pleased to say though, it has, if not a traditionally happy ending, a very definitely hopeful one.

Mark gets his thinking pyjamas on and tries not to gaze too far into his naval while thinking about happiness, how we find it, and how we spread it. This is a continuation of Mark trying to figure out how to be generative.

Mark started planning today's episode then felt... not good. This is what being a committed creative (who's hard on himself but isn't afraid to lay it out in public) feels like.

Play isn’t just a frivolous or leisurely activity, but an essential tool for creativity and innovation. It encourages us to approach problems from a new, less constrained perspective, often leading to unique insights and solutions.LinksNew ways we’re tackling spammy, low-quality content on SearchMrBeast says to stop using his editing style (because he did, too)Play – Episode 6 of the A to Z of Happiness

Telling the story behind your work is valuable. It not only showcases what's possible, but also assures us that achieving it is attainable.Plus, it reveals how certain developed techniques or tools can make our work easier and even attract new audiences or become products themselves.The story of your work is more than just a narrative; it's a testament to your journey, knowledge, and technique.LinksAdNormal’s 7 Cs of social media marketingHow to make your first video – Simon BatchelarJay Clouse’s Creator Science newsletterConvergenceLALAL.aiMaking of Now & Then documentary

When faced with difficulties or unexpected problems, rather than simply coping or making the best of it, we can strive to create something completely new and beneficial from the situation. This could be a learning opportunity, a creative solution, or even a means to attract more opportunities and clients in the future.LinksThreads’ “disappearing posts” poll discussionLinkedIn’s algorithm changesThe “When life gives you lemons” speech from Fall of the House of Usher

Setting aside intentional time to sit, think, and be present with an idea or a thought – or even just to sit – is crucial for maintaining a connection with the work you want to do.LinksGet Mark’s daily creative prompts in your inbox

Leap Day is an opportunity to tackle tasks or pursue activities that we might not usually have the time or inclination for. The extra day that occurs every four years could be used to step out of our comfort zones, explore new surroundings, or simply catch up on things we've been meaning to do.In this episode, you’llLearn about the astronomical explanation behind the occurrence of leap days and how they help in adjusting the mismatch between our calendar year and the Earth's orbit around the sun.Hear anecdotes and stories about how the unexpected can occur on this 'extra' day, inspiring you to create your own memorable leap day experience.Be encouraged to seize this day as an opportunity for adventure, relaxation, or personal growth, reminding you that it's not always about spending time in 'noble pursuits', sometimes it's just about letting time accrue like interest.

Building relationships is a complex, but crucial part of the creative journey. This episode provides a comprehensive guide to meaningful connection, starting from understanding your own values and needs, to finding potential fans, and even to dealing with the challenges of networking as an introvert.From this episode, you’llLearn how to build a team that will support you on your creative journey, understanding how each role contributes to your success.Gain insight into the importance of aligning your goals with your personal values, and how to put those beliefs into action.Discover the potential of networking beyond social media, underscoring the value of traditional platforms like blogs, comments, and forums, as well as the power of in-person connections at events, workshops, and even in everyday situations.LinksMark’s MailerLite affiliate link

Luck is not merely a random occurrence, but something that we can cultivate and increase through our mindset, habits, and actions.From this episode, you’llDiscover how our brains are naturally inclined to remember negative experiences, and how changing your internal dialogue can help to shift this bias.Understand how the people we surround ourselves with can either amplify or diminish our "luck surface area".Find out how expanding your experiences and embracing an adventurous mindset can put you in the path of more opportunities.LinksConscious Luck: Eight Secrets to Intentionally Change Your Fortune, by Gay HendricksJohn Olive ron Hot Ones

Collaboration can be a powerful tool in creative projects, but it requires clear communication and understanding of roles and expectations.From this episode, you’llLearn the importance of being flexible and open in a collaboration, as the final outcome may differ from your initial vision.Gain insights into how to approach potential collaborators with a clear project in mind, making it easier to find a suitable partner.Discover the significance of setting the right boundaries from the beginning, ensuring everyone involved in the collaboration knows their role and the level of input they have in the project.LinksBeware of the LeopardClean TeethThe WeavermanThe 9 personality types that can influence your creative work – Episode 61The Weekly Tweak podcast newsletter

Networking effectively requires more than just being outgoing and sociable. In this episode, you’llDiscover the power of active listening. By truly engaging with others, showing interest through eye contact and nodding, and asking thoughtful follow-up questions, you can create deeper connections and make others feel valued.Understand the importance of asking open-ended questions to foster meaningful conversations. By using questions that start with "what," "where," "why," "when," "who," and "how," you can encourage others to share more about themselves and their experiences.Learn how to be more mindful of others' energy levels and adjust your own accordingly. By practicing empathy, you can create a comfortable and inclusive environment for everyone involved.By incorporating these lessons into your networking approach, you’ll be able to establish genuine connections, make a lasting impression, and create meaningful relationships with others.LinksNetworking for Extroverts - A GuideFamous & Gravy

In-person networking can be challenging for introverts, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can navigate and succeed in these sorts of settings.In this episode, you’ll learnThe power of setting small goals: By challenging yourself to talk to just one person or make one meaningful connection, you can overcome the initial anxiety and gradually build your networking skills.Creative approaches to networking: The episode suggests unique strategies like giving away stickers, collecting Instagram handles, and interviewing people for a podcast as ways to initiate conversations and establish connections.Shifting your mindset and attitude: By reframing your perspective and playing the role of the most interesting person in the room, you can approach networking with confidence, offer support to others, and create meaningful interactions.Remember, being introverted is not a deficiency but a different way of making connections.LinksShhh, quiet: an introvert's guide to networking – The GuardianThe End – Evo Terra’s weekly bingeable audio fiction newsletter

Building a network and finding new connections can be done without relying solely on social media. In this episode, you’llDiscover unconventional ways to expand your network and find new fans or contacts. From leaving insightful comments on blogs to guest blogging and participating in online forums, there are various avenues to explore beyond traditional social media platforms.Explore opportunities to meet like-minded individuals in real-life settings. Joining book or film clubs, attending workshops and seminars, and volunteering at events or festivals can provide valuable networking opportunities and help you connect with people who share your interests.Learn how to approach networking with a genuine and friendly attitude. Rather than focusing solely on self-promotion, the episode emphasizes the importance of building relationships, engaging in conversations, and offering valuable insights to establish trust and connection with others.By following the advice shared in this episode, you’ll gain insights into alternative networking methods and discover the potential for meaningful connections beyond the realm of social media.LinksGet Mark’s behind-the-scenes newsletterThe 9 personality types that can influence your creative work – Episode 61

Trust is a crucial factor in building connections and achieving success as a creative person. In this episode, you’ll learnThe three elements of trust: positive relationships, good judgment or expertise, and consistency.The importance of staying connected with your audience and showing genuine care for others.How to demonstrate good judgment and expertise by making informed decisions, contributing to your community, and quickly responding to problems.By understanding and implementing these elements of trust, you can build strong relationships, establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field, and create a network of support and collaboration.Links14 things to do before you start your next creative project – Episode 48Begin with Trust – Harvard Business Review (long read)The 3 Elements of Trust – Harvard Business ReviewAlchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity, by Rory Sutherland

Understanding our Enneagram type can provide valuable insights into our motivations, fears, and patterns of behaviour. By knowing our type, we can better understand our strengths, blind spots, and creative blocks. It can also help us collaborate effectively with others and build stronger teams.In this episode, you’ll learnThe basic characteristics and tendencies of each Enneagram type, including their motivations and areas for growth.How knowing your type can help you identify your strengths and focus on areas where you naturally excel in your creative work.How the Enneagram can help you become aware of your blind spots, overcome creative blocks, and develop strategies for personal and professional growth.By exploring the Enneagram and understanding its application in creative work, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and enhance your creative process.LinksFinding inspiration outside of books, podcasts, and TED talks – Episode 56Podcast Marketing Trends Explained

Connecting your origin story to your art can create a powerful rallying cry. In this episode, you’ll learn three key lessons:Discover the importance of sharing your personal story and values to connect with your audience.Understand how to outline a shared purpose and invite others to be part of your creative journey.Learn how to communicate the current challenges we face and inspire collective action.By applying these principles, you can engage your audience and make a meaningful impact with your creative work.LinksWhat are you an unreasonable snob about? – Episode 55“I’m a Real-World Man” – The Talk Show episode 395, with Adam Lisagor

Building a strong network and finding people who can help you grow is something you can do from the comfort of your own sofa.In this episode, you’ll learnHow to define networking and understand that it's about aligning with people who have a common bond or shared interest.The concept of RelOps (Relationship Operations) and how it allows you to network by adding value at scale.Practical tips on how to network online, like finding your niche community, adding value to others, and making networking a daily habit.By implementing the strategies and ideas discussed in this episode, you can expand your creative network and find more people who can support and amplify your work.LinksHow to be friends with a famous person – Episode 53A rewarding way to stick to a creative habit – Episode 45I don’t really wanna do the work today – Episode 39Daily Tips That May or May Not Help You with Arielle and Ned

Building genuine connections and adding value for your audience is more effective in the long run than relying solely on strategic cross-promotion.Instead of seeking out collaborations, you can start by sharing content that you genuinely appreciate and think your audience will enjoy. By focusing on the creators and their work, rather than self-promotion, you can foster authentic relationships.In this episode, you’ll learnThe importance of sharing valuable content with your audience: By highlighting things you genuinely enjoy, you can add value to your audience's experience and potentially introduce them to new and valuable resources.The power of genuine appreciation and gratitude: By publicly thanking and tagging the creators whose work you appreciate, you can build trust and potentially open doors for collaboration opportunities.The benefits of proactive relationship-building: By consistently sharing and promoting content that resonates with your audience, you can establish yourself as a valuable resource and potentially expand your network.Remember, it's not just about promoting yourself, but about genuinely adding value and building connections that benefit both you and your audience.