Making a living as a self-employed creative means setting your own schedule, making your own office rules, and doing what you love, right?
With all the success stories shared online from creative entrepreneurs and social media influences, the idea of making a living from your creative dreams sounds amazing. What those stories often neglect to mention are struggles that come both before and after reaching a dream – the bills that can’t be paid before your projects are finished, taxes to be filed, and the impact running a business has on your personal life.
For every writer and creative entrepreneur who found success, there are countless numbers who gave up before really starting or who burned out along the way. The personal freedom offered through making a living from your creative work certainly has many benefits. But the strain of balancing creating new content, business responsibilities, and family life can take a toll.
This was the case for Tim Grahl. Now, a well-known writer, book marketer, and podcaster, Tim’s journey to cultivate his creative life took him down a dark path more than once.
In his new book, RUNNING DOWN A DREAM: YOUR ROAD MAP TO WINNING CREATIVE BATTLES, Tim shared his struggles to chase his creative life. This sometimes brutally honest memoir outlined the lessons he learned as he left a full-time job to pursue his dream of starting his own business, helping other creatives, and eventually, publishing his own writing.
BREAKING POINT
Not long after starting his business, he found himself locked in the bathroom sobbing, realizing he couldn’t pay his mortgage and other bills. He contemplated giving up and going back to his old job.
Through a series of difficult decisions and making gradual changes, Tim slowly dug out of serious debt and grew his business through helping writers create websites and market their work. He started getting more clients, doing better work, and managing his time more effectively. But he still wasn’t happy.
Realizing he had his own creative aspirations, he decided to write his own book. Or at least he said he wanted to write a book. Months of procrastination and excuses led to questions from others about is work.
BABY STEPS
Because of hard questions and arguments with some close friends and fellow writers and editors, Tim finally finished his first draft. But it would be another long stretch before he completed a revised draft and edited the book to get it ready to publish.
After a lot of excuses, fear, and eventually writing, Tim finished his first book. With the launch of this book, and growing recognition in his field, Tim reached a level of success he believed he wanted. And yet, he still wasn’t happy.
“I started to understand that all of the success I saw around me was the edited version of what really happened.
– Tim Grahl, RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
REALITY CHECK
As Tim struggled to build his business and develop his creative skills, the success he though he wanted didn’t fulfill him. He had run down his dream, but felt he was still missing something. The freedom and recognition didn’t sustain him.
He began seeing a therapist to get at the heart of his unhappiness. Through those discussions, as well as discussions with his wife and closest friends, Tim realized that his definition of success had changed. What he thought looked like success – financial freedom, schedule flexibility, recognition as a leader in the field – didn’t matter. It was the creative freedom that he longed for. And ultimately, making the creative process the focus of his dream meant all the other stuff fell into place around him.
– Tim Grahl, RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
“The space for creativity doesn’t just happen. You have to plan for it.”
BOTTOM LINE
RUNNING DOWN A DREAM shows the dark side of pursuing a creative life. The drive to succeed, at least in the eyes of those on the outside, almost cost Tim Grahl not only his business, but also his family and mental health. In his case, he started by making small changes to get things in order financially. Then, he focused on how he used his time, how he connected with clients, and how to develop his own creative content. Over several years of professional highs, but personal lows, Tim discovered his true dream was living creatively, not just running a business. Once he began to focus on his own creativity and calling, the business side took care of itself.
The book is honest, and at times, rough. (Insert Explicit Language Warning here.) Tim demonstrates his vulnerability through sharing his journey. The goal of the book isn’t to care others off from pursuing their creative and entrepreneurial goals; instead, the book is meant to help. He provides an honest look at the struggles that come with being a creative entrepreneur, but also provides tools to help prepare for and overcome those challenges.
At just over 200 pages, the book is a quick read. As he shares his ups and downs, Tim also discusses the tools and specific actions he uses to work through those problems. While some of his tools require a financial investment (like working with a therapist), most are simple and free.
If you are even thinking about making the leap towards running down your own creative dream as a career, I highly recommend this book. The success stories shown in online platforms and Instagram pictures are appealing, but you also need to know the truth behind those stories. They don’t show the late nights, fear, doubt, worry, and excuses. Tim’s honest look at his own journey can help prepare you for your path.
Running down a dream is challenging and takes time. But as Tim Grahl demonstrates, if you’re willing to do the hard work for your business, and especially for yourself, the reward of a creative life can be even more fulfilling than what you first believed.
FOR MORE ON TIM
I encourage you to head over the purchase the book. You can find it on Amazon, Tim’s website, or check your local bookstores. Also, check out Tim on Twitter and his Book Launch website. He also serves as co-host of the Story Grid podcast with Shawn Coyne.
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