When it comes to your career, don’t just wander aimlessly—design your own path filled with meaningful challenges, triumphs, and unexpected opportunities.
I spent eight years as a creative director in advertising, then I quit my toxic corporate job to start a business that spreads joy. Now I’m doing something new. I’m launching an Ask Me Anything series where I answer your biggest questions about creativity and help you...
So much of my self-love journey is about fully accepting myself, exactly as I am. Recently, I posted a series of content that made one thing clear: my inner critic is dead. Here’s how you can silence your inner critic, too. Make something—and whether it’s good or...
Okay creative, A lot has happened since we last spoke. 1. I quit my toxic corporate job to launch a joy-filled business. Yep, you read that right. I left behind the soul-sucking grind to create something that spreads joy. It wasn’t easy, but it was...
If perfectionism is sabotaging your creative career goals, try this: Accept that perfection is an illusion. The only way to get good at something is to put in the work. Make things regularly, because that's how you find your creative voice. Have the courage to share...
1. Embrace failure as feedback. 2. Protect your time for personal creativity. 3. Networking authentically is doing business with people you like. (It's actually that simple.) 4. Create something just for fun as frequently as you can. 5. The only way to find your...
Okay, creative professionals! It's time to step out of burnout and step into your breakthrough. I'm talking to you: the designers, the art directors, the copywwriters, the photographers, the creative directors, the multipassionates. My name is Justin and...
I'm starting to notice a trend among creative professionals. We’re all feeling like: “what is even going on right now.” With economic uncertainty, disruptive technology, and just a general sense of burnout and overwhelm, it seems like the creative community is just...
There's a common mantra floating around: "Follow your passions." But let's get real—life comes with responsibilities, and bills won't pay themselves. Here's the truth: you can absolutely build a life you love. It's about crafting a career that leverages your unique...
Hi, I'm Justin. As an artist, I don’t just create—I breathe life into ideas, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. My work is a testament to the beauty of the human spirit, each piece telling a story of hope, empowerment, and transformation. As an entrepreneur,...
Every day, you're bombarded with distractions, you’re pulled in a thousand different directions, and often, just existing can feel a bit overwhelming. And in those times you might lose sight of why you started in the first place. But here’s the thing: your dreams are...
ATTENTION CREATIVES It takes courage to step into creative leadership… and you and I both know that we need more leaders with compassionate hearts and insightful minds. Are you ready for your career evolution? I'm on a mission to connect with 10 creative...
Your creative journey’s going to have its twists and turns. But don't worry, with a little support, you've got what it takes to unlock your creative confidence right now. Hey there, I'm Justin Shiels, your friendly neighborhood coach for creative...
We all know that wasted, poured-out feeling: You look at the brown puddle in the bottom of your coffee mug and think to yourself, That’s me. That’s how I feel right now, and you wonder how long you’ve been coasting along the edge of your...
Real talk: I started the Weekly Reset newsletter with Mailchimp because they had a free account with up to 2000 subscribers. Now I think they only support up to 500 subscribers. I liked it, but something was clunky about the user interface to me. I currently...
While this year started off quietly, the past month has been nothing short of a whirlwind. I'm feverishly sending out weekly emails, recording short-form video content, creating new products for the online shop, working on the Joy Bombs Affirmation deck, and securing...
Over the past 15 years, I've worn every hat you can imagine as a creative professional. With job titles like graphic and web designer, social media manager, creative director, director of marketing, photographer, illustrator, and communications manager... if there was...
Life is full of ups and downs, and it can be hard to stay motivated when things don't go as planned. Whether it's a tough day at work, a missed deadline, or just feeling stuck in a rut, there are many things that can steal our motivation. Here are 5 common...