Starting is easy, sustaining is hard.

Hey honeys and hustlers,

The work always wins. Not talking about the work. Not researching the work. Not dreaming about the work. But actually making something. Making something that may not match your original vision, but getting a proof of concept of what you can do the second time you try. Because if you are really interested in the work and enjoy the process of doing the work, there will be a second time. A lot of people have been asking me how I put out things so consistently, but staying consistent is much easier than getting started in my humble opinion. And many of the people who ask me this question, haven’t even started publishing their own creative work. But I’m not here to judge, I’m here to help.

Starting is much harder than people make it out to be, but I believe that if you find a way to get started, maintaining momentum will come down to your creative systems and workflows. I mean, technically, all it takes to become a creative entrepreneur is to submit the paperwork and payment for your LLC to the Secretary of State wherever you live and open a business checking account. But if that’s all there was to it, more people would do it. People don’t start the things they’re passionate about for a variety of reasons:

• they feel like they don’t have the resources they need

• they feel like they can’t make something that matches their taste because they lack the skills

• they feel like they don’t have enough time

• they feel like they don’t have access to the right people (mentors, collaborators, potential podcast guests, etc).

• they’re afraid of the uncertainty of starting a new venture, even if doing so part-time

• they’re afraid of what people will think if their first iterations aren’t good

• they’re afraid that they’ll fail

The good news is, many of these things are fixable. Don’t be intimidated by the resources you lack, they can be gained. Don’t be afraid of the skills you lack, they can be learned. Don’t fret over not being a full-time creator, the time will pass either way. I can’t take away your fear of failure or perception with any amount of advice, unfortunately. Confidence comes from doing. And the best advice I’ve ever heard when it comes to deciding what to do came from Spike Lee’s and Jimmy Chin’s Masterclass lessons:

The advice: Having big plans for a creative project sometimes makes it easier to justify procrastination in starting that project. Stop waiting until the right time or until you have all the money and resources you think you need. Make a minimum viable product first and build from there. Either a premise is good, or it’s not. Money won’t change that.

The advice: Do your research, and then go break things. Luckily, there are other creators you can learn from. Find your rhythm and your unique approach to creating and storytelling.

Thanks for reading Please Hustle Responsibly! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Stop worrying about what the first thing you create will look like – it’s going to be terrible. And that’s okay! Nothing starts perfect. And you don’t get to the 100th video or the 1000th photo without there being a first. The “first” allows you to learn what went well and what could be better. Even if you don’t continue creating in the same way you started or at the same frequency, everything you learn gets poured into the next venture or creative project. All the skills and experiences you’ve gained are transferrable. If you stop creating a podcast, posting YouTube videos, or writing newsletter articles, that doesn’t mean you failed. It just means you gave yourself the opportunity to learn about yourself, and the conditions you need to create your best work happily (not begrudgingly). And that’s what life is all about – opportunity.

I hope you take the opportunity to start something new today. Or pick back up a creative habit you stopped. The work isn’t done yet. You have much more to give and create. I’m rooting for you.

Please Hustle Responsibly,

🤙🏾✨

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