My new book KOKORO: Japanese wisdom for a life well lived is OUT NOW!
Click to listen on iTunes / Soundcloud / Podbean
Are you an aspiring writer or creative freelancer often facing setbacks? Or perhaps you are embarking on a change in your creative career and feel like something’s just not quite clicking? Or are you someone who feels like they’ve lost their sense of “Who I am” and worry “Is this the right direction for me?” I invited Alexandra Franzen on to the show to share with us how despite those moments of wanting to give it all up, she finds the courage to dig deep, stay focused and carry on producing her best work.
Are you ready to march forward again?
Alexandra is a smart, witty, successful writer. Her words have been featured in some of the world’s biggest publications like Forbes, TIME, Newsweek, The Huffington Post and Life Hacker, even in song lyrics and stencilled onto paintings. Alex is passionate about helping creative people find encouragement and guidance in their careers again, and mentors writers through the emotional side of self-employment.
You’re going to get so much hope from this episode. Listen in and enjoy.
Key moments:
[3m 30s] Alex shares what her life is like on an average day (not the Instagram version, the real version)
[6m 10s] Do you ever over-estimate what you can get done in a day? Alex has a technique to tackle this
[9m 30s] Alex shares why “You don’t need more time, you need more intensity” to overcome ‘guilty thoughts’ freelancers can feel
[12m 30s] Alex tells us about the transition from office worker to self-employed writer and the tools she put in place to ease the process
[13m 20s] Alex talks about the immense anxiety she felt in her first year of self-employment
[17m 15s] Beth asks Alex what she thought her future held before self-employment and Alex shares her clarity – a long time coming
[19m 40s] The key to discovering the things you love to work on and what you can be paid for
[21m 50s] The importance of having ‘non-work related’ projects to get outside of your brain and into your body
[27m 0s] The clues to your greatest gifts – you might be surprised about where you can find these
[28m 15s] Alex talks about the value she gets from coaching creatives and how having an hour in your calendar with your coach is good for the soul
[32m 0s] For anyone who is stuck on a creative project for any reason, Alex shares some really great advice that will overcome your challenge (whatever it may be)
[35m 0s] How do you know which criticism to take on board from somebody and which you shouldn’t?
[38m 40s] The importance of finding and knowing who your support network is for the times you need to open up to someone about creative career challenges
[41m 0s] Alex tells us what the essence of a great story is made up of – it’s more simple than you think
Where to find Alex:
Website: www.alexandrafranzen.com
People + Resources mentioned:
Alex’s new book available to order now: You’re going to survive: True stories about adversity, rejection, defeat, terrible bosses, online trolls, 1-star Yelp reviews, and other soul-crushing experiences—and how to get through it
Beth’s first book available to order now: Freedom Seeker: Live more. Worry less. Do what you love.