Episodes

  • From Wall Street to YouTube: How Aprilynne Alter Built a Thriving Online Brand

    From Wall Street to YouTube: How Aprilynne Alter Built a Thriving Online Brand
    Oct 28 2024
    In this episode of Just Keep Learning, Justin sits down with Aprilynne Alter, a multi-passionate YouTuber and content creator. They explore the journey of becoming a creator, what it means to be an anomaly, and the mindset required to go from a traditional career to building a brand online. From deep dives into YouTube strategies to life design principles, Aprilynne shares a wealth of practical advice for aspiring creators and entrepreneurs alike.Guest BackgroundAprilynne Alter is a former Wall Street financial analyst turned full-time YouTube creator and educator. After an eye-opening internship in Silicon Valley, she realized that she didn’t want to follow a traditional career path. Now, she's on a mission to help other aspiring YouTubers find their voice, build their channels, and achieve success in the digital space. Aprilynne’s story is one of courage, self-belief, and the willingness to be different.Key Topics DiscussedThe Power of Being an AnomalyAprilynne shares how she’s embraced the concept of being an anomaly. Inspired by a quote, possibly from Gary Vee, she explains that if you want a life that's different from the norm, you have to act differently. This mindset has driven her decisions to leave the traditional path behind and pursue a unique career as a creator. She emphasizes that being an anomaly isn’t just about being different—it's about giving yourself permission to create in a way that aligns with your true values.From Wall Street to Content CreationAprilynne recounts her transition from working as a financial analyst on Wall Street to becoming a full-time YouTuber. A pivotal moment occurred when she realized what success looked like in her corporate environment—a Friday night call, her manager pushing aside family time to handle work issues—and she knew she wanted something different. She discusses the challenges of making that leap and the belief in herself that pushed her forward despite doubts and obstacles.Finding Your Unique AdvantagesWhen making the decision to leave Wall Street, Aprilynne focused on her unique strengths, such as writing, visual artistry, and community building. These were talents she wasn't utilizing in her traditional career, and she knew they could be leveraged to create a meaningful impact in the creator space. This section dives into the importance of identifying your own unique advantages and using them to differentiate yourself in the market.Growing a Successful YouTube ChannelAprilynne goes into detail about the importance of having a solid strategy when it comes to YouTube. She shares her experience of starting her first channel, having it blow up with an NFT-related video, and then pivoting to create a second channel that felt more aligned with her passions. She emphasizes focusing on quality vs. quantity, the importance of ideas, and how to structure a successful video.Editing Tips for YouTube CreatorsEditing is a major part of Aprilynne’s creative process. She shares her detailed approach, from scripting to annotating her videos with visual elements and examples, to making sure the content is engaging and educational. Her editing style is heavy on visuals and examples, which she believes are key for effective learning on YouTube.Challenges and Opportunities in the Creator EconomyAprilynne highlights some of the struggles creators face, such as dealing with burnout, learning new skills, and finding ways to monetize content. She discusses her vision for a creator accelerator program similar to Y Combinator—an incubator for creators to help them achieve their goals faster with proper support and resources.Memorable Quotes“If you want to be an anomaly, then act like one.”“I realized that if success in my career meant sacrificing family time on a Friday night, that’s not the kind of success I wanted.”“Your unique advantages are like your creative superpowers—use them to differentiate yourself.”“Execution is hard, and it’s where most people give up, but it's also the key to finding success.”“I believe in small bets—trying lots of different things to see what works while increasing your luck surface area.”Practical Takeaways for Aspiring CreatorsAct Like an Anomaly: To achieve a unique life, you need to act differently from the norm and embrace your creative quirks.Identify Your Strengths: Know your unique advantages and find ways to integrate them into your content.Focus on Packaging: When creating for YouTube, your idea, title, and thumbnail are critical for attracting an audience.Balance Quantity and Quality: Start with quantity to build a habit, then shift to quality once you’ve developed a consistent workflow.Script and Annotate: Before filming, annotate your script with visual cues to streamline editing and avoid unnecessary reshoots.Find Your Niche: Have a focused niche that aligns across all your platforms, making it easier to build a brand and monetize.Think About Longevity: Don’t focus solely on ...
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • The Courage To Be Brave

    The Courage To Be Brave
    Sep 27 2024
    Click To JOIN! Just Keep Learning Newsletter I WILL HELP YOU GET CLARITY, BUILD YOUR GROWTH MINDSET AND OWN YOUR BIG DREAMSI feel like that’s sort of the same thing. Haha. They could probably be flipped too. “The bravery to have courage”On their own these things are easy to drop as buzzwords. We could use them interchangeably in a way that pretty much everyone understands.But understanding it is less than half the battle.You probably know that it’s helpful to be brave, I mean that’s kind of obvious.You likely wouldn’t set a goal to be less brave.In the last episode I talked about the fact that there are hidden opportunities in every challenge we face. But this isn't just about perseverance towards external goals. It’s just as much, maybe more important to win the internal battle, too.One of my favorite thinkers, Seth Godin, talks about how schools should focus on teaching courage and bravery. That it’s critical we explicitly teach these skills in today's world. But how do you do it? Winning the Battle WithinLife isn't just about chasing milestones like getting a million podcast downloads or reaching a business target.Those are great. But, the real victory lies in how we handle the obstacles life throws our way.Can we take heartbreak, failure, or grief and channel it into something positive? Can we remain kind, generous, creative, and full of energy, even when times are tough?I used to get this wrong. I thought working harder and longer was the key. But I’ve learned through experience and from conversations on my podcast, like the one with Taylor Simmons, that balance is critical. It’s not about burning ourselves out to achieve external goals. True discipline comes from building a strong foundation of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. Then and only then layering our ambitions on top of that foundation.But this isn’t as much fun. And thus why it’s a “battle” within.Finding Balance Amid the HustleFellow podcaster Ali Abdaal often asks his guests whether work-life balance is possible when pursuing big dreams?Can you achieve balance early on? Or is it something we only attain once we’ve "made it"? What do you think?Is it possible to achieve “work-life balance” throughout your journey?This is a bit of a trick question.I believe we should always strive for balance from the beginning.There’s no reason not to.I used to strive for hustle and hardwork like I was always going to battle.Life can be a lot easier than this. Even with massive dreams.I have hundreds of goals.Books to write, podcasts to record, business deals to close, but I’ve learned to prioritize my well-being.I used to pull all nighters, or go without proper water, or nutrition. But now I can shut ‘er down in favor of wellness.That’s real discipline. That’s something to be proud of. It’s about saying no to the grind long enough to eat well, sleep well, and spend time with family and friends. Once we have that foundation, we can stack our dreams on top of it and use all other obstacles as stepping stones, not barriers.What Is The Path To Discipline?Discipline is another one of the beautiful, infinite, forever games.Building mastery over this battle within requires a shift in mindset. One of the things that really helped me was recognizing that I’ll never get all of my ambitions achieved and that rather than it being scary, this can be a relief. It’s just facts.Here are a few other things that can help increase discipline:Focus on what you can control: To preserve energy for the most important tasks.Detach from outcomes: Focus on the process and effort, instead of results.See setbacks as setups: To keep moving forward without being perfect.Embrace consistent action: So you don’t get stuck overthinking.Design routines: That will almost guarantee consistency.Build emotional control: To make better decisions.FOLLOW JustinInstagram – @JustKeepLearning.CaYouTube –@justkeeplearningpodcastTwitter – @JustinNolan_JKLTiktok – @justkeeplearning.caPinterest – JustKeepLearningcaFacebook – JustKeepLearningLinkedIn – Justin I'm so happy you found this podcast. I am here to serve you, the creative solopreneur & aspiring content creator to get clarity on how to create content, teaching, build a business and design the life of your dreams without burning out in the online learning, creator economy.Want to get every single secret, tip, or idea I learn about channelling our emotions into success in this new creator economy, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.justkeeplearning.ca/main
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    10 mins
  • The Power of Uncaging Your Creativity: Why We Need to Break Boundaries and Ship Our Ideas

    The Power of Uncaging Your Creativity: Why We Need to Break Boundaries and Ship Our Ideas
    Sep 26 2024
    Click To JOIN! Just Keep Learning Newsletter I WILL HELP YOU GET CLARITY, BUILD YOUR GROWTH MINDSET AND OWN YOUR BIG DREAMSAs I walked through the hospital today, I passed by a monitor displaying a message that caught my eye. "Remember, mistakes are evidence that you're trying."It made me smile, but it also made me think. How do we spread this message? How do we make sure everyone understands this? I already believe in it, but what about the people who don’t get it? The ones stuck in their comfort zones, afraid to step into the unknown?Stop Chirping Post MaloneI recently heard people criticizing Post Malone for venturing into country music. It’s hilarious to me because while he’s out there dropping an album that’s going to be a huge success, people are questioning his decision. Why do they care? I’m sure Post Malone isn’t phased. He’ll probably jump into something completely different next—maybe a Nirvana tribute, spoken word poetry, or another experimental project.What’s fascinating about him is his ability to ignore the noise and keep creating. I’d love to interview him to dive deeper into this mindset. I imagine that if someone asked him why he decided to try country music, he’d probably shrug and say, “Why not?"Why Not?That’s the question, isn’t it? Why not? Why not try something new, even if people don’t understand? We often feel the need to create within strict boundaries. But most of us don’t want to fit neatly into a category, we want to explore the gray areas. In a world full of rules, expectations, and fear of failure, stepping outside the box like this is a courageous act. Someone asked me yesterday how I define creativity? It's a simple question, but answering it takes courage. Creativity is such a broad topic that it’s hard to pin down. But I think the most important thing is this: it’s not about what you make; it’s about your willingness to make something at all. It’s about pushing past the limitations that have been imposed on us—by society, school, by your family, friends, and your own inner critic. Pushing all that aside and doing the work anyway. The Cage We BuildHere’s where things get real. Most people, at some point, get stuck. Between kindergarten and adulthood, we’ve been told too many rules, received too much negative feedback, and started believing that we’re not creative. I’ve been there. For years, I believed I wasn’t creative because I didn’t fit the mold. But there’s a turning point—a moment where you decide to uncage your creativity and reclaim it for yourself.Stephen Pressfield talks about resistance in his book The War of Art, the invisible force holding you back from doing the work. It’s fear. It’s doubt. It’s the voice that tells you your ideas aren’t good enough. But here’s the thing: creativity is like a statue covered in mud. It’s still there, buried under layers of grime. All you need to do is chisel away at it, bit by bit, clean it up and let it shine.Sometimes we need prompts or constraints to get started, and that’s okay. But don’t let those tools become a crutch. True creativity comes when we stop relying on someone else’s template and start carving our own path.The Trap of "Realism"A friend recently asked me if it was realistic to pursue both gaming and engineering. This word—realistic—always catches my attention. Who gets to decide what’s realistic?Will Smith once said that it probably seemed unrealistic for the Wright brothers to imagine flying a metal contraption into the sky. Edison? Unrealistic to think a small piece of plastic could light up a room. If you told someone 15 years ago that we’d be watching movies on tiny pieces of glass and plastic in our pockets, they would have laughed. But here we are…The point is, we can’t be afraid of being unrealistic.The world’s greatest innovations were once dismissed as impossible. If we constantly seek validation for our ideas—asking others if they think it’s realistic—we’re building an imaginary boundary for ourselves. Creativity doesn’t need boundaries.Creativity Requires CourageThis brings me back to Post Malone. He didn’t ask for permission to explore country music, and he certainly didn’t need validation from critics. He just did it.And you can do the same with your ideas. Yes, there will be resistance. Society will always try to keep you within its boundaries, telling you to be realistic. But even a small step outside that box—one bold idea, one act of courage, putting a little of your own skin in the game—can change your life.And who knows? It might change someone else’s too.Uncaging Your CreativityI actually spoke with the producers of a documentary I love called ‘Abstract’ about my own idea of producing a film called “uncaging creativity” where we follow people who lost their creative touch, but went on a journey to not just regain it, but thrive in a creative pursuit.The ...
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    12 mins
  • The Art of Design & Multi-Passionate Entrepreneurship With Nate Kadlac

    The Art of Design & Multi-Passionate Entrepreneurship With Nate Kadlac
    Sep 25 2024
    In this Nate Kadlac podcast on Just Keep Learning we tackle what it means to be a multi-passionate designer, entrepreneur, and creator. Nate dives into his journey in the creator economy, sharing insights on balancing multiple projects, collaborating with others, and building a strong personal brand.His creative process, practical advice, and honest reflections provide actionable steps for anyone looking to thrive in the world of creative entrepreneurship. Whether you're a designer, solopreneur, or creative in any field, this episode is packed with valuable insights on navigating multiple passions while staying true to your vision.The Challenge of Being Multi-PassionateNate discusses the common struggle between focusing on one thing versus being multi-passionate. In today's creator economy, many entrepreneurs are told to "niche down," but Nate believes that embracing multiple interests can provide more fulfillment. He shares how he manages several different projects—like design, collaborations, and content creation—without feeling overwhelmed.Nate emphasizes that the key to successfully juggling various pursuits is recognizing that each interest may grow at a different pace. While focusing on one thing might bring faster success, he values the slower, more meaningful growth that comes from pursuing multiple passions. For creators struggling to pick just one path, Nate’s advice is to embrace what you love, but be prepared for the journey to take a bit longer.The Power of CollaborationA major theme in Nate’s work is collaboration, which he sees as a way to amplify creativity and make work more enjoyable. He talks about his own experiences working on design projects and game development with friends, emphasizing how collaboration can breathe new life into a project. The joy of working with others not only helps to balance solo work but can also lead to unexpected growth.Nate shares practical tips for approaching collaboration, including building genuine relationships first. He highlights the importance of understanding what each party brings to the table and ensuring that every collaboration is mutually beneficial. Whether you’re a designer, entrepreneur, or creator, Nate’s collaboration strategies are invaluable for anyone looking to build alongside others.Building a Personal Brand Through DesignAs a designer, Nate understands the importance of building a brand that is authentically you. He stresses that design is more than just picking the latest trends—it's about creating a visual identity that reflects your true self. Nate’s process for helping creators make better design decisions starts with understanding their unique style and translating it into something cohesive across all platforms.He explains the power of consistency in design and how using a few simple tools, like selecting the right typography, can make a huge difference in elevating your brand. Nate offers practical advice for creators, recommending that they focus on timeless design principles instead of following fleeting trends. His insights encourage creators to trust their own taste and build a brand that resonates deeply with their personal identity.Practical Takeaways for Creators and EntrepreneursTrust Your Multi-Passionate Journey: It’s okay to pursue multiple interests, but be prepared for slower growth. Learn to balance and give yourself permission to move at your own pace.Collaboration Over Competition: Seek out collaborations that bring value to both parties. Be clear about expectations and ensure each person is contributing in a way that feels fair and enjoyable.Design With Intention: When building your personal brand, don’t just rely on templates. Invest time in understanding your aesthetic and design choices. Keep your design decisions consistent to reflect who you are.Memorable Quotes"The key to design is not creating something new, but finding what’s unique about your perspective and expressing that visually.""Reaching out to collaborate is less about asking for something and more about building genuine relationships.""Trust yourself. Your tastes and interests are what make your design decisions powerful."Guest BioNate Kadlac is a designer, entrepreneur, and creator with a passion for helping others make better design decisions. From web design to creating courses and collaborating on game development, Nate brings a wealth of knowledge to creative entrepreneurship. Connect With NateWebsite Kadlac.Com X @KadlacCONNECT WITH JUSTINInstagram @Justkeeplearning.caYouTube @justkeeplearningpodcastX @JustinNolan_JKLTikTok @justkeeplearning.caFacebook justkeeplearningLinkedIn – @justinnolan I'm so happy you found this podcast. I am here to serve you, the creative solopreneur & aspiring content creator to get clarity on how to create content, teaching, build a business and design the life of your dreams without burning out in the online learning, creator economy.Want to get every single secret, tip, or ...
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Secrets of Successful Ghostwriting & Publishing With Patrick Walsh

    Secrets of Successful Ghostwriting & Publishing With Patrick Walsh
    Sep 19 2024
    In this Patrick Walsh Podcast episode, we dive deep into the world of ghostwriting, publishing, and storytelling.Patrick is the founder of Publishing Push. With over 4,000 authors helped, Patrick brings unique insights into turning ideas into books that stand out in a crowded market. Whether you're an aspiring author or just curious about the book publishing process, this episode offers amazing advice on navigating the publishing process.Patric is also known as “The Publishing Guy”. He creates content that helps with writing, living as an author and publishing as he is a seasoned expert in ghostwriting, packaging and marketing books as well. Through his company, Publishing Push, he’s been instrumental in helping creatives across all genres—from children’s books to business guides—turn their stories into tangible, successful products. His method revolves around capturing the authentic voice of the author and translating it into a compelling narrative. Patrick’s passion for storytelling shines through, and his expertise in the intricate world of publishing makes him the go-to person for anyone looking to write and publish a book.Key Topics DiscussedThe Art of Ghostwriting: Patrick explains ghostwriting as a process of truly understanding the author’s voice and communicating their message seamlessly. Whether it’s social media content, a YouTube script, or a full-length book, his goal is for the audience to never question who the real author is. From extensive research into an author’s style to tailoring each chapter to match their tone, Patrick shares how this form of writing is both an art and a science.The Power of Storytelling: We explore how powerful stories create emotional connections with readers. Patrick emphasizes the importance of weaving personal stories into books to make them relatable and memorable. Even when writing business books, personal anecdotes make the content more engaging and impactful.Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: Patrick sheds light on the pros and cons of different publishing methods. From self-publishing’s growing popularity to the challenges and unpredictability of traditional publishing deals, he offers a balanced view on what aspiring authors should consider. One key takeaway: always have a clear goal for your book.Building a Successful Book in a Crowded Market: How do you ensure your book stands out among the thousands published every day? Patrick explains the importance of genre specificity, quality editing, and professional presentation. He also discusses the value of understanding your audience and crafting a book that speaks directly to their needs and interests.Memorable Quotes"Ghostwriting is about capturing someone's voice so perfectly that their audience never suspects it's anyone but them.""Personal stories are what make your book come alive. They create a connection that readers remember long after they’ve finished the last page.""Whether you're self-publishing or going the traditional route, editing is the single most important investment you can make in your book."Advice for Aspiring AuthorsPatrick advises aspiring authors to believe in their stories, no matter how big or small they think they are. Everyone has a story worth sharing, and sometimes, it’s about finding the right way to tell it. He also highlights the importance of partnering with the right team—whether it's hiring a ghostwriter, editor, or cover designer—to bring your vision to life professionally.Guest BioPatrick Walsh is the founder of Publishing Push, a company that has helped over 4,000 authors successfully write and publish their books. With expertise spanning ghostwriting, editing, and marketing, Patrick has built a reputation as one of the most trusted names in the publishing industry. His passion for storytelling and helping others realize their dreams makes him a standout figure in the world of books.Connect With PatrickWebsite: Publishing PushTwitter: @PublishingPushLinkedIn: Patrick Walsh on LinkedInInstagram: @PublishingPushCONNECT WITH JUSTINInstagram @Justkeeplearning.caYouTube @justkeeplearningpodcastX @JustinNolan_JKLTikTok @justkeeplearning.caFacebook justkeeplearningLinkedIn – @justinnolan I'm so happy you found this podcast. I am here to serve you, the creative solopreneur & aspiring content creator to get clarity on how to create content, teaching, build a business and design the life of your dreams without burning out in the online learning, creator economy.Want to get every single secret, tip, or idea I learn about channelling our emotions into success in this new creator economy, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.justkeeplearning.ca/main
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • How To Stop Overthinking

    How To Stop Overthinking
    Sep 12 2024
    Click To JOIN! Just Keep Learning Newsletter I WILL HELP YOU GET CLARITY, BUILD YOUR GROWTH MINDSET AND OWN YOUR BIG DREAMSA couple weeks ago we were sitting on the couch, my wife and I trying to pick something on Netflix, or Prime, or Disney…But there’s just so much to choose from. It’s almost stressful because you can feel your watching time slipping away. With so many choices we add stress to a relaxing activity.Instead of choosing one and getting started, we scroll, debate and then it feels like we sort of “give up” and decide. I love when real life stories like this connect to things I wanna talk about. I was drifting off in thought about the fact that here we are sitting here. Scrolling through streaming services looking for something to watch, it reminded me of the classic Parable Buridan’s Donkey named after the 1300’s philosopher John Buridan.A donkey is standing between two equally enticing nourishments. A pile of hay, or a bowl of water.But, they lack reason and are overwhelmed by the decision.The donkey, unsure of which to go for, ends up dehydrated and starving to death because they couldn't make up their mind. The moral is that overthinking can lead to inaction, which is far worse than making either choice, even the “wrong one”. Paralyzed By DecisionThis tale is a simple but powerful metaphor for how overthinking can paralyze us.I try to remember it when it comes time to choose something. But it’s not as important as what we can do about it to make decisions more likely.In our case with the movies let’s say sometimes there are very strong reasons to choose.For example I really wanna see Jelly Roll’s documentary, when Lewis Capaldi dropped his my wife and I both wanted to check it out and I loved the first Joker movie so when the second one is released I will be naturally motivated to check it out asap.But where I get caught up in this phenomenon that actually matters (way more than trying to pick a movie) is deciding what to work on.Just yesterday, I was talking with a creator friend of mine, Amanda Northcutt, founder of Level Up Creators. And she was asking about some of my ideas, wondering why I haven’t acted on them yet. Honestly, I didn’t have a great answer. Trying to explain our thoughts out loud to others like this can help us realize how silly our excuses, or overthinking really is.What was holding me back?While driving home, I started questioning whether I was just making excuses, or if something was getting in the way.And I realized I had allowed shiny objects to creep back into my workflow because I had way too many choices.I was working on live video, writing a book, long form blog posts, tweet threads, visual illustrations for social media, short videos, solo podcast episodes and interviews. Damn, it’s crazy just writing it out like this. Wild thing is there were like three other business ideas in the works.Everything felt “equal”.And so when I would sit down to tackle some work I would waste a lot of time.Hick’s LawStates that having plenty of choices affect the decision-making time of an individual. Too little choice and they feel restricted. But a lot of choice and they actually feel worse.Until a certain point, offering options is good. It provides freedom to choose. But there comes a point at which the availability of too many options makes it harder for a person to make up their mind. They grow confused, stressed and don’t make a decision at all.I see this all the time with peopl e I coach as well.The goal of giving people freedom and joy because they get to choose can actually rob them of feeling happy at all because they’re overwhelmed.They get trapped in overthinking.Almost like staring at a computer with a hundred tabs open, or a restaurant menu with every option in the world—it’s overwhelming and chaotic.Goldilocks Freedom Of ChoiceThere’s a lot of advice out there about decluttering your home and living more minimally.And the same principles apply to decluttering your mind. Simplifying your thoughts and getting started is the key to breaking free from overthinking.But there is a Goldilocks sweet spot for everyone when it comes to choice.And it evolves.Some people need to be told “write a story” some need a genre, a specific prompt, or fill in the blanks.Either way it’s important to set your priorities, and then the next step is simply to get started, with any of them.Prioritization Once you know the most important things to work on, then you can decide to focus on those.So in my case right now it’s this podcast and the book. I would love to work on all the other things and in some way, someday I will but for right now it’s the podcast and the book. That’s step one, pick your priority.But these are still huge projects.So, how do I make up my mind about what to work on within those two priorities?When we don’t have a strong reason to choose, that’s where we get stuck.We feel like we...
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    12 mins
  • Stop Hating on Influence

    Stop Hating on Influence
    Sep 11 2024
    Click To JOIN! Just Keep Learning Newsletter I WILL HELP YOU GET CLARITY, BUILD YOUR GROWTH MINDSET AND OWN YOUR BIG DREAMSThe topic of being an influencer. I was at a party this summer and people were actually jokingly, but somewhat serious, giving me a hard time about being a quote unquote influencer, which pretty quickly got the topic away from me and on to everyone discussing what this idea of being an influencer means.And I didn't even really chime in in that situation, just made a mental note to make an episode about it later on. But you see this on social media to people talking about the idea of being an influencer. Debating.Whether it's a positive, or negative thing, anywhere in between. And, to me, I think that regardless of what we think about the definition, we need to stop hating on the idea of influence.Your Own Hero’s JourneyThis is such a fun topic because it’s tied to the entire theme of my book. I could do an entire episode, even a full podcast about going on your hero’s journey. Essentially, in any good story, there’s a hero who needs or wants something. They set out to achieve it, face struggles, and often need a guide to help them along the way. Ultimately, they either succeed or fail, but in some way, they learn and return with newfound wisdom. The hero’s journey is a great metaphor for life. The reason I’m writing my book is to help you go on your own hero’s journey.A Hero Needs InfluenceSo, what does this have to do with influence? It’s funny—“influencer” has gotten a bad rep. People tend to picture someone with hundreds of thousands or millions of followers, posting about their lunch, their booty, or their biceps. But ironically, those people might have a huge following, but very little influence. Influence itself has become a misunderstood concept, and we need to reclaim it.On the flip side, you could have just 100 followers and still wield tremendous influence over them. Possibly even changing the trajectory of their entire life. That’s why being an influencer is pretty damn cool. Whether you’re leading a team at work, teaching a group of kids, or mentoring a few close friends, your ability to impact others is what makes you an influencer. In fact, I’d go so far as to say we should all strive to be influencers in some way.How Do You Influence?It’s a bit meta. But basically, choose a topic. Then go on your own hero’s journey, while sharing what you learn along the way.Decide what you want to work toward, seek guidance, learn from the ups and downs, and then come back to help other people who are just getting started themselves.That's a real influencer. This is real influence.I get why the term "influencer" can be cringe-worthy, or annoying. It’s become an overused buzzword. On one hand, it could be jealousy that makes people resent the term. On the other hand, even influencers with millions of followers sometimes hate the label. Well, language evolves, and terms start to take on random meanings. But the reality is this: if you’ve impacted anyone else’s life, you are an influencer. And I think most of us would find real joy in influencing others positively.When I think of influence, I’m reminded of classic books like Robert Cialdini’s Influence and Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power. We could go into those another day, but to keep things simple for now, let’s focus on this core idea: you have valuable stories to tell. You likely have many experiences that shape your overall life narrative. The story you tell yourself and the story you tell others is incredibly worthwhile.But it requires conscious effort. You have to build and increase your influence by paying attention to your experiences. Actively seek out ways to connect those experiences to helping others.And it doesn’t need to be many people. (It can be) but influence isn’t about the number of followers, it’s about the impact.And that’s something worth striving for.FOLLOW JustinInstagram – @JustKeepLearning.CaYouTube –@justkeeplearningpodcastTwitter – @JustinNolan_JKLTiktok – @justkeeplearning.caPinterest – JustKeepLearningcaFacebook – JustKeepLearningLinkedIn – Justin I'm so happy you found this podcast. I am here to serve you, the creative solopreneur & aspiring content creator to get clarity on how to create content, teaching, build a business and design the life of your dreams without burning out in the online learning, creator economy.Want to get every single secret, tip, or idea I learn about channelling our emotions into success in this new creator economy, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.justkeeplearning.ca/main
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    7 mins
  • Can You Live Your Dream Life?

    Can You Live Your Dream Life?
    Sep 10 2024
    Click To JOIN! Just Keep Learning Newsletter I WILL HELP YOU GET CLARITY, BUILD YOUR GROWTH MINDSET AND OWN YOUR BIG DREAMSCan You Live Your Dream Life? I was doing some back-to-school shopping the other day with the kiddos, and something caught my attention that I wanted to share. There are so many journals and diaries with inspirational quotes, they say things like "dream big" or "live your best life" – the kind of YOLO stuff we all recognize. Now, I generally agree with the quotes, but the next day, I noticed a wagon filled with school supplies at a daycare, and one of the teacher’s journals said right on the front, "Live Your Dream." These things always catch my eye, and I feel like I want to take a picture to post them. Inspire some people in the process. But this particular time it got me wondering: How much do people think about the message on the cover versus just flipping it open and using it as a pile of paper?What Quotes Do You Live By? I imagine that when people are selecting journals, they probably pick one that resonates with them or aligns with something they feel. Maybe if they're shopping online, they even search for a journal with a specific phrase on the front. But how many people actually live by the words on the journal?For example, if a journal says "Own Your Dreams," do you think one in two people who buy that journal really own their big dreams? Or is it more like one in ten, maybe even one in a hundred? I don’t know, but I think most of us can relate to owning at least one of these journals and wondering how often we live up to the big ideas written on them.I know I think about it often because I have a few such journals with inspirational quotes, and sometimes I feel like I’m not living up to those ideals. Other times, I think I’m doing a pretty good job.Sell Yourself On The Dream, Not The HowI really try to create practical ways to live out my dreams, even though it’s tough. I recently talked about this with Maya Marcia Weider, who built her career teaching people how to own their dreams. She’s been successful with books, workshops, and courses, even ended up on Oprah’s couch teaching people to dream big. She reminded me that while figuring out your big dream is difficult, the hardest part isn’t how to achieve it. It’s letting go of how it happens. She told me specifically to keep going with my podcast but also to promise that I won’t worry about how it all works out.Go Easy On YourselfIf you're like me, or how I used to be, you might feel some regret when looking at those inspirational quotes. You might not want to dwell on them because you’re not sure if you’re living your dream life yet. But maybe you’re confident you want to – you just don’t know what that life looks like or how to own it. It’s easy to feel like you’re behind or stuck. The best way to handle this is by balancing pride in how far you’ve come with a focus on your future self. You need to hold onto that vision like a crystal ball you’re working towards, without getting lost in it. One of my heroes calls this "keeping the moon in the window" as you move toward your dreams. Even though you might get off course or have to make adjustments along the way, you keep pushing forward.Ditch The Regret, Learn And Move OnOne of the biggest obstacles we face is holding onto regret. Whether it’s regret over past experiences or missed opportunities, it can hold us back. I love the song "Move On" by Mike Posner because it perfectly captures this sentiment. Sometimes, you just need to move on. We can learn from our past, but we shouldn't let it distract us from our current goals. Hanging onto regrets can be like quicksand, pulling us down instead of letting us move forward.One challenge I find with discussions like these is that they often lead to a focus on productivity. (Which isn’t always the point). What Gives You True Meaning?Having worked in mental health for most of my adult life, I’ve come to believe that the most important thing is finding meaning and living with vitality. Fun and productivity are both important, but they don’t have to be mutually exclusive. It’s okay to slow down and appreciate how far you’ve come, instead of always feeling like you need to do more.If you ever feel like you’re stuck or not making enough progress, one helpful exercise is to look back at where you were a year ago, or even five years ago. You’ll almost always find that you’ve made significant progress, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. Sometimes we’re too close to our own journey to see the growth, so it can be powerful to ask someone else to help you recognize how far you’ve come. And if I can help with that, feel free to reach out.Another thing that holds people back is being out of alignment with what they truly want. It’s hard to celebrate progress when you’re not passionate about what you’re working on. That’s why it’s important to...
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