Words: 1005 | Readtime: 4,5 minutes

🧠 QUOTE OF THE WEEK ​ The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. ​ ​ – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Hey 👋 Creator!

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The voice in my head was crushing me again. I was feeling really down. I don’t know why, but it was messing me up every night for the past two weeks.

"I’m a failure. I haven’t achieved any of the goals a man should achieve by the age of 36.

How could I be a role model for my son? He ain’t gonna look up to me."

I couldn‘t sleep until 3AM. I tossed and turned, unable to get those thoughts out of my head.

After my son woke up at 6:30 am, I was wrecked. I was tired and feeling crappy.

Little did I know, on that day my life was about to change… Well, not really my life, but I think on this day I finally kicked my imposter syndrome’s ass. 😉

After breakfast, we went for a morning walk like we do every day, when it’s my turn to take care of him until midday and work in the afternoon until midnight.

But before we went for a walk, he and I quickly swung by my studio to grab my travel mug for my coffee to go. You know, gotta have that extra boost to kickstart the day, right?

And in that moment, in my studio, it hit me. It hit me like never before. It hit me like a boxing punch in the face:

IT‘S MY STUDIO. IT‘S MY SON playing with my haze machine. IT‘S MY APARTMENT RIGHT NEXT TO MY STUDIO. I AM FREE TO WORK WHENEVER I WANT. I AM HEALTHY. I GOT A BEAUTIFUL WIFE. F*CK! I AM HAPPY!

I suddenly had tears in my eyes. I would kill for this life in 2011, when I was overweight, unhappy, and completely lost.

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On our walk, I thought about this moment a lot. Why didn’t I realize it before? Why was I unhappy, thinking of myself as a loser? How did it happen?

And I think I have the answer:

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Reason Nr. 1: I Didn’t zoom out!

I was so focused on my current situation that I completely forgot to analyze how far I have come in the last 12 years.

Sure, my expectations for myself and my business have evolved over the years. And maybe at the moment, I’m not exactly killing it, but that doesn’t mean I’m a total loser.

Taking a step back and seeing the bigger picture and the whole progress really helps. It’s like zooming out and not just focusing on a tiny piece of the puzzle.

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Reason Nr. 2: I compared my dreamS with a life of others.

People around me, family and friends, have a completely different lifestyle. They’ve bought their own houses and cars, some of them have more money in the bank, and all those things.

And somehow, I started thinking that if they have all that, I should have it too. But I couldn’t make it happen. Not right now, at least.

Here’s the thing: their lifestyle was never my goal. I’ve been all about chasing freedom and a creative lifestyle - not just a regular job. And guess what? That’s exactly what I’ve achieved.

I totally forgot about reflecting on my goals and my dreams.

If I took a minute to do that, I’d realize that I’m damn near close to crushing all of them.

So again, I am not a total loser.

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These thoughts brought incredible calm to my head and my soul.

Now, every night when I go to bed, I think that I’ve already nailed it.

I can’t lose anymore. Only level up and get better.

And I have enough. I am enough.

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So, what’s the lesson here?

If the imposter syndrome hits you next time and your inner voice says you’re a loser, just take a step back and reflect on the whole journey and the dreams you had years ago.

You wanted to become a great photographer or filmmaker? Just compare your first shots with your shots today. You’re gonna see a huge improvement.

You wanted to quit your job and become a freelancer? Did you make it happen? If so, you’re awesome and not a loser. Even if it’s tough being a freelancer sometimes, always remember what you’ve already accomplished.

You cut off contact with the person who mentally abused and kept you small for years? Wow! Congrats. You've achieved more than 90% of people. You fought for your freedom.

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It’s so important to step back and compere You vs. You. Not You vs. Them.

You don’t need their dreams. You don’t need their acceptance.

Never forget that. You don’t need this.

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🚀 CREATIVE TOOL OF THE WEEK ​ KROTOS STUDIO This is a standalone sound design app that lets you create your own sound effects and easily integrate them into your editing app, such as Premiere, Final Cut, or Davinci Resolve. Shape the sound intuitively in real-time using your mouse. Achieve the right emotion by performing the sound with precise timing and length. It's incredibly easy to use. I was amazed when I first tried it. Watch the video I've linked or visit their website. Definitely give it a try. They even offer a free version for testing! ​

​ ​ CHECK OUT KROTOS PLUGIN

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Hope catch you next time. It'd mean the world to me.

Open up your heart. Stay creative and free.

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