If you create something valuable, you're a creator (it's not just a term for social media "influencers").
So whether you're an entrepreneur, coach/consultant, writer, marketer, YouTuber, or anyone else who creates something valuable (or aspires to do it one day), then you're a creator in my book.
So why are you a creator?
It’s a question most people don’t give much thought to, which is also why so many struggle to stay in this game long-term, create things that deeply resonate with people, and connect what they do on a day-to-day basis to a lifelong mission.
Here’s what I mean…
My friend Robert had been an attorney for twenty years. He was great at his job, but he dreamed about being an author. So one day, he decided to retire from law and pour all of his time (and savings) into writing a book.
For two years, he toiled away writing it. Every day filled him with energy and optimism because he was finally doing what he knew he was meant to do, and the book had huge potential to help a lot of people.
Then one day, Robert went to his doctor for a routine checkup, but something was wrong with his test results.
He had stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Two weeks later, he was gone.
Before his death, his family started a GoFundMe to help cover medical and funeral costs; part of the write-up said:
"His days are dwindling…we do not know how many he has left, but time is short. It’s heart-breaking, but he has run out of time and this dream remains unfulfilled."
If you’re anything like me, the thought of dying with your dreams (and book) unfulfilled is a nightmare.
Time and time again, I watched the people around me put off a meaningful life until it was too late.
They bought the story most of us are sold, which leads to a lifetime of misery and mediocrity…
The Story
You turn 18, find a “safe” job, then spend the next 40+ years of your life working a job that makes you miserable. It’s cool, though, because you totally get to enjoy yourself on the weekends and the occasional week vacation. Then, when you retire, you’re really going to live your best life and do what you want to do. Sound familiar? It’s the story we’ve all been sold, but it doesn’t hold up to a closer inspection.
Too many of us live our entire lives doing shit that makes us miserable for a payoff that isn’t guaranteed and isn’t worth the cost of our health and wellbeing.
Being a creator is an emotional rollercoaster. There’s always a tiny voice in the back of your head (especially when you’re drowning in stress and questioning if you can continue to make this creator thing work) that whispers you could always just go back to a regular job and give up on this.
But one of the reasons so many of us became entrepreneurs was to avoid the rat race of working a job we hate for 45+ years of our life until we can retire and maybe enjoy the last 15 before we die.
But thankfully, we can use our mortality as a motivator to live fully.
Here’s what I mean…
Memento Mori
Memento mori, roughly translated as “remember you will die,” is a Stoic reminder to make the most of each day. It isn’t meant to be depressing. It’s designed to keep you focused on what matters most instead of all the bullshit.
Why do so many people put off doing meaningful work until it’s too late?
One word: Fear.
We’re afraid of failure. We’re afraid of ridicule. We’re afraid of uncertainty. We’re even afraid of success.
Memento mori is the antidote to fear. Because every fear we have pales in comparison to the 100% fact that every single one of us will die one day.
Well, I say fuck fear.
You have one life to live. Why waste it doing things that make you miserable?
You can build a fulfilling life and business now so you can succeed on your terms.
Moral of the Story
Too many people live in mediocrity and die regretting not having done more with their lives.
Every article I write is meant to be a piece of the puzzle to help you make the most of your life—so you can achieve success, however you define it.
Because I know we’re capable of accomplishing more than we allow ourselves to believe is possible.
Using my skills as a psychologist and executive coach to help entrepreneurs build a successful life and business is some of the most fulfilling work I can imagine—and I’ll do it until the day I die.
This is why I’m a creator.
So I’ll ask you again… Why are you a creator? Reply to this message and tell me—I’d love to hear your story.
Until next time—memento mori,
Corey
If you want to dive deeper:
Join the Creator Alchemy Lab, an online community for ambitious creators taking bold action to transform their businesses, their lives, and themselves. “It’s like 80% personal development and 20% business strategy.” Join now to attend live group coaching calls and workshops each month, access replays of past events, unlock tons of async resources and discussion posts, and do it all alongside an incredibly supportive (and active) community of ambitious creators taking bold action.
Check out the Creator Alchemy podcast for even more incredible content.
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