Is it time to upgrade your heroes?

As a 20-something, I was constantly looking up to other exceptional 20-somethings. Tech guys like Mark Zuckerberg (yikes), musicians, the Forbes 30...  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Creative Companion]() Hello! As a 20-something, I was constantly looking up to other exceptional 20-somethings. Tech guys like Mark Zuckerberg (yikes), musicians, the Forbes 30 Under 30 list... It gave me a lot of drive! It fueled my ambition. "If these people can do this at my age...why can't I?" And that was the attitude. It was a frustrated, "Why can't I?" vs. an optimistic, "I can too!" So it actually brought me a lot of frustration and unhappiness. Expectations were constantly escalating, I was constantly thinking about the next achievement, and NOTHING happened fast enough. That tension really did help me to get where I am...but at what cost? And was that cost necessary? Lately, I've changed a lot of the voices I listen to. I'm listening to more people like Elizabeth Gilbert, Debbie Millman, and Austin Kleon – artists and creatives who are deeper into their lives and careers. And even though they are even further ahead than a lot of the exceptional 20-somethings I was modeling myself after...I find so much more peace and happiness in hearing from them. When they speak about the beginning of their career, they often speak of it like it was both a total loss and fairly insignificant. Of course, every experience we have builds us – but hearing stories of people who weren't "crushing it" in their 20s is so much more reassuring. "Oh wait. I don't have to have it all figured out yet...and I can still end up with the life I'm working towards!" Not only that, but my new heroes seem happier. They take things slower. And they have more obligations! Kids, a mortgage, sometimes even looking after their own parents... And that's much healthier for me to model, because that's what I want! I want a family. I want hobbies. I want to live more than I work. When your heroes are workaholics on accelerated timelines...you tend to create the same experience. And that doesn't make allow for much of that living stuff. You have no idea what nightmares and headaches other people face. It's pretty likely that someone who is absolutely excelling in one area is also failing their own expectations in another. Is that the model you want to look to? I've been upgrading my heroes to people who embody the fullness of a human experience that I aspire to. Good people living full lives. People sharing stories that aren't directly applicable to the work I'm doing today. And even if it "slows me down," it sure does seem to make for a better journey. ​ Share This Article: [Share via facebook](=) [Share via twitter]( [Share via whatsapp](=) Your personal share link: [ ​ --------------------------------------------------------------- #79: Dru Riley [Being Concise] 45,000+ email subscribers in less than 2 years [Dru Riley on Creative Elements](​ Dru Riley is the creator of [Trends.vc](), which has more than 45,000 subscribers and 1,000 Pro members. With each Trends report, Dru focuses on one core idea or movement. He dives into the history of that idea, why it matters, who the major players in that industry are, the relevant tools and platforms, predictions, opportunities, risks, key lessons, and even some of the opposing viewpoints as to why that idea is bogus. Trends also has a Pro subscription that goes deeper into each of those areas and includes other forms of media, a community, and more. In this episode, we talk about Dru’s mini-retirement, why he decided to build Trends, how he thinks about pricing and monetization, what makes a good online community, and why Being Concise has helped along the way. It's available on any app you use to listen to podcasts. [Episode and Show Notes]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for reading! I have so much energy and enthusiasm around all the things I'm working on right now...this newsletter, Creative Elements, and the [membership community I'm building](=). How are you doing? If you're open to it, I'd love to hear your feedback on two points: - Is my this newsletter resonating with you? What would you like to hear more about? - What feels challenging to YOU right now? I'm always trying to get a better sense for how I can help you. Just hit reply with your response to either or both of those questions. It helps me help you! Cheers, Jay PS: This week, I'm taking part in Teachable's Discover Fest. Lots of great free workshops and events from some incredible mentors. [Register for free here](=). --------------------------------------------------------------- Jay Clouse [Twitter]() / [Instagram](=) - Thanks for subscribing! You can reply to this email or [contact me]( anytime. - Want to make a change? → [Unsubscribe from all emails]( → [Unsubscribe from Creative Companion]() → [Update your profile]() - Want to say thank you? [Buy Me A Coffee]() or send a note to P.O. BOX 797, Worthington, OH 43085.