What does work mean to you?

Over the last week, I've been thinking a lot about the meaning of "work." Culturally we have two basic definitions at different ends of the spectrum.  ‌ ‌ Hello! Last week, I told you that I was recommitting to the long-term. Instead of continuing to make "new" things, I want to spend some time polishing what I've already made and strengthening the foundation of my creative work. I'm happy to report that this week I took two major steps in that direction – pulling together a peer mastermind as well as beginning to put a brand extension project into motion that will improve the design on my website, writing, and all of my personal work. I've used that word (work) twice now. I've actually spent quite a bit of time thinking about work this week. This newsletter has been called Work In Progress for 4+ years. And while the name has stayed the same, the meaning I've personally ascribed to it has changed over time. It used to be, "Well I don't know what this newsletter will become...or what I'll become. I guess I'll just call it a work in progress." It became, "I work in the progress of others through my coaching and community programs." And lately I've been thinking of it as, "I'm in the process of building my body of work." Now, to be honest, I've done a horrible job of utilizing the name Work In Progress itself. Long-time readers will frequently tell me, "I didn't realize you actually had a name for this newsletter!" So as I begin this new design project, I wanted to take a critical look at the name of the newsletter (whether it remains or changes) and that meant a deep dive on the idea of work itself. Work seems to have two cultural definitions: - Work that is a means to an end (a job, paycheck, etc.) - Work that is self-expression born out of your unique skills and insights (your body of work) Those definitions are Jay Clouse definitions, by the way, and not exactly Merriam Webster definitions. What's fascinating to me is the stark dichotomy. The first definition typically haas a negative cultural connotation (a thing you feel like is a necessary evil that we sell our time for) while the second definition is used so positively by those who are in the pursuit of building their body of work and self-expression. Sure, there can be cross-over – the academic whose life's work is research at the university where they're employed, for example. But, generally, "work" is spoken of either as a means to an end (income) or an act of self-expression. I started noticing this use of "work" when I was scripting my [Creative Elements Shortcast on Blinkist](). I love talking to people who are obsessed with their work. They can't help but be creating. They NEED to put their work out into the world – almost out of compulsion. It's the best energy there is. And from what I've seen, it leads to the best outcomes. Whether you're an entrepreneur or an artist, when you create unique works over the long term, you have limitless financial potential (just ask Beeple, who compiled his 5000 days of artwork and [sold it for a cool $69 million]() this year) and personal flexibility. This is the pursuit I want to be a part of. I want to serve those who are building a body of work. Because, especially in the early days, you need that support. It takes a LONG time to both 1.) build unique skills and insight and 2.) leverage them into work that society rewards you for. You need to be playing a long game. And while you may see a spike in attention early on when you tell your friends and family you are starting a new business or creative project...that early attention fades quickly. You'll face the "trough of sorrow" where only great work, sustained over time, comes out on the other side. I hope that my work serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement through that trough of sorrow. Because I'm in it too, and I know what you're going through. And if you do come out the other side...you'll never have to "work" as a means to an end ever again. ​ --------------------------------------------------------------- ​ On Creative Elements 🎧 ​ I wanted to share a little bit of a different episode with you this week. Back in [episode #49](=) of this show, I spoke with Corey Haines, the creator of [Swipe Files](). Corey and I spent the majority of that episode talking about his approach to Product Hunt, and so we didn’t dive as deeply into Swipe Files as we probably should have. But a big part of Swipe Files is Corey’s podcast, Everything Is Marketing. And in April, Corey interviewed me for that show. He caught me at a really interesting time. And Corey got me talking about a few things that I’ve never talked about on any other podcast before, including: - The step by step process of developing Creative Elements - My secret plans of writing a book while I'm building this podcast - How I stair-stepped my way from selling services to selling digital products - And the number of random, lucky breaks that I grabbed ahold of over the years We cover a lot of ground, and this really goes behind the curtain of both how I make this show and my own creative career up to this point. ​[Click here to listen]()​ ​ --------------------------------------------------------------- ​ Thanks for reading! I'm so excited to keep sharing the steps I'm taking to strengthen the foundation of my work knowing that it can serve as as inspiration to you too! My kickoff call with the new mastermind this week was so good and was an immediate reminder that the more you surround yourself with people who are fighting the same fight, the faster you help each other win. Speaking of win, I'm not yet in the lead for the [ConvertKit Paid Newsletter Challenge](. But you can help me get closer by supporting [Life In Progress]()! It's a small subset of my overall subscribers who get that newsletter either because they subscribed or referred three other readers, but I absolutely love writing it and it gets even better feedback than THIS newsletter. ​[Click here to subscribe]() ($5/mo) Of course, zero pressure! I'm grateful to have you as a weekly reader of Work In Progress just the same. I hope you have a great week, and as always, feel free to hit reply and let me know what you think. What does work mean to you? Cheers, Jay PS: Check out this awesome Creative Elements listener [artwork](=)! ​ ​ 0 of 3 You're just 3 referrals away from unlocking Access to Life In Progress Next Reward Access to Life In Progress Life In Progress is a private, monthly newsletter that shares a deeper look at the life side of work-life balance. While Work In Progress documents what I'm learning about work, Life In Progress gives a transparent look into what I'm learning about living and becoming a better human. Available Rewards Life In Progress Access (3 refs) $50 off any course (10 refs) Free 1:1 Strategy Call (25 refs) Free Course + Public Shoutout (100 refs) [Share Work In Progress]() Shareable link: [ Want to skip the referrals? [Subscribe to Life In Progress for $5/mo](). [Powered by SparkLoop](=) ​ Thanks for subscribing! You can reply to this email or [contact me]( anytime. Work In Progress is a newsletter for aspiring creators. 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