Sometimes, learning about the lives, careers, ideas, and processes of other writers and artists really inspires me.

Sometimes, it intimidates me.

As I listen, especially to successful people, I can get trapped in the spiral of despair that starts with some version of this thought: “My mind doesn’t work the same way theirs does – therefore I will never be successful.”

It’s a classic case of correlation does not mean causation.

This person is successful.

Plus

This person thinks differently from me.

Does not necessarily equal

Therefore I cannot be successful.

This happened this morning as I was listening to an interview with a successful writer. He’s not my personal brand of storyteller – his stories aren’t ones that I am personally drawn toward.

But he definitely has the kind of career I would like to have.

So I started to wrestle. Do I need to adapt his practices? Do I need to try and write like he does? Should I follow the exercises he suggests?

I was, luckily not too far into my struggle when I remembered this quote I saw – and screenshoted – on Julia Cameron’s Instagram the other day.

Which sent my mind in a different direction.

Yes, that person is successful because of their unique attributes. And they have found the people who enjoy their certain brand of creativity.

And I can do the same.

I can think of nothing worse than trying to build a career trying to imitate someone else. To create in a way that does not feel authentic to my true self.

But, by being myself, I am reaching out to those that respond to my personal brand of creativity. To my ideas. My stories. My processes. And we will enjoy each other’s company through that which is created.

And, yes, maybe I won’t have the same type of career as this particular writer. In fact, I know I won’t.

But I can have something better.