Self-Care as Your Differentiator

In our fast-moving, highly digitized world, there is a lot of emphasis on self-care - bath bombs, meditation circles, yoga, nights out with the girls - whatever it takes to keep yourself feeling centered and grounded in the chaos of everyday life.

As creators and artists, I agree, that these exercises are very important, AND we must remember that self-care also means offering ourselves motivation, kindness, and reassurance and can be a key differentiator between those who are able to sustain their artistic endeavors and those who burn out.

In this article, I share three tips you can use on a daily basis to keep yourself going and to continue to have fun creating for years to come! (that’s the point anyway…fun, right?)

So let’s get into it.

Tip #1: Surround Yourself with Community

As a podcaster and photographer, I am no stranger to the difficulties of building an online brand. One thing I always make sure to do? I make sure to always surround myself with as many like-minded individuals as possible. Community!

Community not only keeps us motivated, it is always more fun to build something with others, keeping us sharp, and accountable to our desired outcomes.

My number one favorite online community is the Smart Passive Income (SPI) community. SPI is an online community run by the exuberant, motivated, and ever-knowledgeable public speaker - Pat Flynn. Pat is the experienced host of the Smart Passive Income Podcast and online business guru. Pat has over 13 years of experience in helping entrepreneurs build online businesses. His treasure trove of online courses includes courses such as “Power Up Podcasting,” “1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing,” and even his free course “Build Your Own Brand”.

I have been enrolled in SPI for over two years now and thoroughly enjoy the value-packed accelerators they run. The leadership team pulls together cohorts of other creators that you can take these courses with, ensuring you are not only learning but applying the course content to start and accelerate your online business! Like-minded folks, going through the same journey. Consider it a network of best friends and cheerleaders ready to see your business take off! 🚀

Interested? You can sign up for an SPI membership here!*Trust me you will not regret it!

*full transparency - this is an affiliate link. I enjoy a fulfilling partnership with SPI where I get a small commission for any purchases through this link!

SPI, led by the online business guru, podcaster, and ever-knowledgeable, Pat Flynn!

The Importance of Community via Mentorship

Also, if you are able, find a mentor in your space. It is my hope this blog, The Challenge Enthusiast, provides you with much-needed guidance. But, also having someone in person who has experienced the ups and downs of the industry and can help you along your own journey is key. I do this in many ways in my life. I have a mentor who teaches me the technical aspects of photography and who I can brainstorm with to improve my photography. I lean on family members with backgrounds in mediation to help keep my wisdom mindset sharp.

Whoever it is for you, find that one person and let it keep you motivated and feeling supported!

Tip # 2: Create a Vision Board You Can Connect to “Time and Time Again”

I always reground in my why by keeping it front and center. Each year I like to create a vision board of my goals, aspirations, and creative ideas. This is a creation I can look at frequently to remind me of WHY I am doing these things when the times get hard. It is visual, tangible, and empowers my imaginative faculties. Often for me, my why comes back to self-expression, helping others, and connecting with my own fragile humanity. Your why is essential and envisioning it daily, key.

To learn more about the importance of why, check out my article Why Photography.

When I Feel Low, I Act As My Own Cheerleader

As we get older, they say “look out for starting to talk to yourself” as if it is bad thing. But, as as a creator, I don’t care what age, talking to myself - acting as my own best friend and cheerleader, is something I do daily!

The other night, I laid awake at 2 o’clock in the morning with the hamster wheel in my head. How will I make money this holiday season? How do I increase my website hits? What do I do with the small amount of debt I accrued buying that nice lens I needed for a shoot? The one thing I have learned to do? I pretend a friend is talking to me and offer myself positive talk, “it is okay. You know this is right. Keep going. How can you serve your community? You’ve got this.”

What does this do for me? It slows my nervous system down. It allows me to stay calm, and receive solutions rather than anxiously overthink which psyches me out. Instead of desperately reaching for solutions, I see clearer choices and make better decisions. Things work. And, I trust that more business is bound to come when I serve first, worry second. Or, not at all.

Tip #3: Start Walking (Or Whatever You Need to Keep Your Juices Flowing!)

Lastly, I walk A LOT. It is an essential part of my creative process. Sometimes I listen to the SPI podcast or music, but often I walk in complete silence.

Why?

It allows me to hear my own thoughts, to be with them, and to make connections I would not otherwise make. As creators, we must take time to let the natural process of unfoldment and evolution of our ideas not only process but be molded by time.

To End For Now

So, remember my creator friends - speak kindly to yourself, seek out your people or community, and find that one physical activity that allows your creative ideas to flourish! All combined, this will be a creative recipe for differentiation. Among your peers, you will be sustaining your business long-term, having endless fun, and weathering the ups and downs of the creator's life with gusto!

Cheers!

Rhys

Resource Wrap 📌

• SPI Program Membership

Did you find this article helpful? I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment below!👇⬇️ 💭 🧠 🌱

Rhys Lombardo is a professional photographer, content creator, and host of the Queer Carter Podcast. He is a travel nerd, New Orleans foodie, and dreams of one day fulfilling his childhood dream to star in Newsies: The Musical!