how to dress like a creative director
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 professionals and learn more about the unique challenges you face in achieving your biggest dreams.
I’m offering 20-minute sessions where we can dive deep into your goals, aspirations, and the roadblocks standing in your way.
Whether you’re a visual creative, wordsmith, creative leader, or any other type of creative, I want to hear from you! Sign up now.
An inspirational mantra
Repeat after me:
Today I am forgiving myself for the mistakes I made along the way. I might not be perfect, but I am worth loving.
this is your sign
When it comes to your dreams…
If it doesn’t happen immediately, that shouldn’t be a sign that you should move on.
That should be your sign to commit to your growth.
That should be your sign to trust that initial spark and believe that you received that vision because it was for you to complete.
That should be your sign to push through the fears and see what beauty can unfold.
sometimes the greatest luxury is doing nothing
It’s time to give yourself the greatest of luxuries—a moment of pure, unadulterated nothingness.
Let go of consistent striving.
Surrender to the quiet whispers of serenity.
And allow yourself the gift of simply being human.
Untethered from the relentless demands of modern life.
And I get it.
There’s an incessant chatter of obligations tugging at your soul.
A never ending list of things you should be doing that you haven’t done yet.
Endless notifications.
Phone calls to return.
And opportunities that you don’t want to miss.
But trust me,
In the gentle ebb and flow of intentional slowness you’ll find this secret.
Giving yourself time to rest, increases your productivity.
So ease off the accelerator.
Let the currents of life carry you.
Even if only for a fleeting moment into the meaningful embrace of peace.
zoom out
My hope is that when you zoom out and take a look at your life that you see that you’ve done more good than harm.
That you’ve chosen whenever possible to love instead of hate.
Encourage instead of stifle.
Live out loud instead of hiding away.
And if you feel like that’s not the case yet, here’s a friendly reminder that it’s possible to make tiny changes in this direction.
I believe in you.
Simple ways to inject creativity in your everyday life.
It’s not about grand gestures or elaborate plans—it’s about embracing the simplicity of small, intentional creative acts that infuse your life with fresh perspective and innovation.
1. Remix your wardrobe. Instead of sticking to the same old outfits, why not mix things up?
Dive into your closet and reimagine your style by pairing together unexpected pieces. Say goodbye to fashion rules and hello to sartorial experimentation. Who knows? You might just stumble upon a new favorite look that defies expectations.
2. Try a super simple DIY project or art project. Pick a project that sparks joy—whether it’s making homemade cards, creating a tiny terrarium, or designing a custom phone case.
The key is to let your creativity flow and enjoy the process of bringing something new to life.
3. Rearrange your living room. Take a good look around and ask yourself: Does this room reflect my personality?
If not, it’s time for a change. Rearrange your furniture, switch up the layout, and breathe new life into your home. By transforming your space, you’ll inspire fresh ideas and inject energy into your daily routines.
4. Try a new recipe. Step outside your culinary comfort zone and seek out a new recipe that tantalizes your taste buds and ignites your culinary curiosity.
Whether it’s a exotic fusion dish or a comforting classic with a modern twist, embrace the opportunity to expand your culinary horizons and savor the delicious rewards of culinary exploration.
5. Buy a new piece of art. It doesn’t have to be a pricey investment—simply choose a piece that speaks to you on a visceral level and ignites your imagination.
Whether it’s a vibrant abstract painting, a whimsical sculpture, or a striking photograph, let your intuition be your guide as you embark on your quest to curate a space that reflects your unique personality and creative vision.
Introducing Coaching for Creative Professionals with Justin Shiels
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 professionals.
My mission? To help you tap into your unique talents and crush it in both your personal and professional life. Whether you’re a designer, wordsmith, artist or any kind of creative, my coaching is all about stepping into your role as a creative leader.
I’m looking for 10 creative professionals that are ready to find clarity and transform their ideas into practical next steps. Ready to invest in your growth? Learn more about coaching with Justin.
Visiting artist at Louisiana Tech’s School of the Arts
I’m grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in the vibrant world of creativity at Louisiana Tech University’s School of the Arts! I’d be honored to come speak at your university. Here’s a link with more information.
Affirmation Card Pull: I am destined to do great things
You want to pull an affirmation card and talk about big feelings? Okay, but, oof, oh, this is a good one.
Repeat it with me, um, I am destined to do great things. One more time to lock in the learning, I am destined to do great things.
Oh my goodness, where are my manners? Um, this is Justin and I’m obsessed with emotional intelligence and its power to help creative people find small but meaningful breakthroughs in personal development, career, and their craft. And this card is a really good one. I feel like you needed the reminder that you are destined to do great things.
But also my intuition is telling me I need to level set. Sometimes we get tripped up because within our desire of doing great things, we forget that it’s the tiny actions that make a significant impact. So like you might change the trajectory of the universe simply by smiling at a stranger today, or by asking your friend how they’re really doing and genuinely listening, or by being honest with somebody about something that you’re low key afraid to say, but that they absolutely need to hear.
My point being, no pressure, but you are destined to do great things, and one of the most beautiful ways to do that is by being your most authentic self. Oh yeah, also this card is a part of the Joy Bomb’s affirmation card deck. You pull one or two every morning for a tiny dose of daily inspiration.
How to tap into your most authentic self
This is awkward, but I’m going to tell you a secret. And real talk if you’re still in your people-pleasing era this actually will be a little triggering.
The world doesn’t want you to be yourself.
Like the world doesn’t want you to be your most authentic, most beautiful, most interesting self.
Because being the real version of you with those big feelings and that big heart makes you hard to control.
And the world loves putting us into tiny little boxes with really clear labels so they can sort us appropriately.
But this video is your permission to step out of that box. And to tap into the real you. To shine with full wattage. To wear that wacky outfit. To make that weird art. And to share your true self with the people you love the most.
If you’re ready to start doing that personal development work and authentically showing up as the real you, I’ve got a really good video on setting intentions that you can watch on my youtube channel.