Finding Meaning in the Messy Beauty of Becoming

The Masterpiece Mindset: Why Your Imperfect Path is Your Greatest Success

We've all been there, scrolling through social media, bombarded by perfectly curated "engagement stories." The picture-perfect entrepreneur scaling mountains, the viral artist with overnight success, the influencer jet-setting across the globe. It's easy to get caught up in the fantasy, chasing after that headline-worthy moment when it all clicks. But amidst the curated chaos, I want to whisper a truth: the real achievement isn't the flashy ending, it's the quality of the journey every step of the way.

Forget the engagement story. Ditch the pressure of crafting the perfect finale. Because your purpose, dear creatives, is not a destination, it's an evolution. It's about peeling back the layers, shedding doubts, and embracing the messy, imperfect journey of becoming the best version of you.

Imagine your life as a masterpiece, not a headline. Each brushstroke, each stumble and triumph, shapes the canvas. The late-night scribbles in your notebook, the failed prototypes in your Startup, the song that just can’t get finished, the job losses during the 2023 mass #techlayoff, the heartbreaks that fuel your creativity – these are not setbacks, they're the bold colors, the hidden textures that give your masterpiece depth.

I get it.

My year was a total shocker. I was writing my ‘morning pages’ as I do every morning as a ritual to infuse and inspire my creative day, and all I could think about was how hard 2023 was. Everything was ‘sudden’ for me in 2023. That’s my word for the year: suddenly! It forced me to act quickly, learn to pivot, and embrace the flow. My career changed course, my mother suddenly died of aggressive Pancreatic Cancer, our personal effects got stolen on a trip and in another situation, 2 of my friends were dealing with breast cancer, and even our dog, Bella, got diagnosed with cancer. Shitty year. Sure, it had its silver linings. Actually, they were quite amazing. We traveled to Italy and enjoyed its glory, I got to spend a lot of quality time with my Dad, my kids grew like beanstalks and made the Soccer All Stars, Did some growth hacking strategy consultancy for 2 amazing tech companies, a couple of key note talks, one in Miami where I’ve never been. And I created theCrea8ve out of nowhere, and we reached 31,000 subscribers on the substack blog in just 8 months, since April. Wow. I posted 80 blog posts, 10 podcast episodes, 47 motivational minutes (video shorts), hosted a dozen events (workshops, bootcamps, coffee & chats), coached a myriad of life passion seekers and passion leaders.

Why did I do all that?

I have been re-searching for my purpose. And in that, I have been helping others, which is what I love to do.

So how do we find this purpose you ask?

By following your curiosity with reckless abandon. Dive into that side project that ignites your soul. Just like I’ve been doing at theCrea8ve. Spend that extra hour learning a new skill. Connect with inspiring mentors who challenge you to see the world differently.

Let the whispers of your passions guide you, not the roar of the crowd.

This journey will be messy, filled with moments of doubt and self-sabotage. But that's where the real growth happens. Embrace the struggle, learn from the failures, and keep your eyes fixed on the joy of the process, not the validation of the outcome.

And yes, the world might not always applaud your every step. You might not get the viral video or the million-dollar investment or that amazing job you hoped for. But remember, your worth is not measured in likes or shares, nor biased opinions from prickly managers. It's measured in the quiet moments of growth, the small victories over your own fears, the resilience that blooms in the face of adversity.

So, dear dreamers, creators, and entrepreneurs, put down the script for the perfect finale. Embrace the raw, unfiltered beauty of your journey. Find joy in the daily grind, the late-night brainstorming sessions, the writing and visualization, the unexpected detours that lead to hidden treasures. Because in the end, the greatest achievement is not the story you tell the world, but the masterpiece you create with every beat of your passionate heart.

Let's go paint our masterpieces, one imperfect brushstroke at a time. Let's rewrite the definition of success, one authentically lived moment at a time. Let's make the journey the destination, and watch the magic unfold.

Now go forth, create, and remember, the most beautiful stories are often the ones whispered, not shouted.

xo,

Gilli