Once I Stopped Following Gurus, I Became One Myself 😵💫
Edition 16 — July 28th, 2024
Click here to read it on LinkedIn!I saw a pattern in my life. Took me 45 years, but I found what led to my personal fulfilment—first in life, then in my creative pursuits, and finally in my business. It literally 10x my business.
I was fucking stuck. Following all the “rules” of business gurus left me feeling trapped and unfulfilled. Do content, do ads, do outreach and sales. Be relentless, build systems, network, speak, go to events.
Lower your prices, raise your prices. Position, reposition, and position again. Change your offer, offer what they want, need, and never even thought about. Get on LinkedIn, IG, TikTok, Threads.
One day, I snapped. I said, “Fuck this!” and decided to blaze my own trail. The results? I’m happy, I’m in my flow. Things happen without much effort. Decisions are easy because I’m not following advice that isn’t mine.
Why You Should Create Your Own Rules
Imagine calling the shots in your life. No more playing by someone else’s book. No more feeling like you’re missing some important piece of the puzzle. Like you need to learn more first.
You unlock your true potential, become more authentic, and achieve real success. Picture your work reflecting who you are. The reward? A fulfilling, prosperous career that aligns with your deepest values and passions.
But most creatives never get there.
Why People Struggle to Break Free
The human breed is funny. We want to be free, but at the same time, we want someone to lead us to our freedom. You get the paradox, right? We will never be free as long as we believe there is a predefined way of doing things out there. No course, no school, no mentor can help you become yourself.
The biggest reason? Fear.
These fears keep people stuck in a cycle of mediocrity.
But fuck that. I say you can break free.
Here’s How, Step by Step:
Step 1: Find the Magic
Question your guru’s advice. There is a reason why you are drawn to a specific guru. What do they preach that resonates? And what don’t you agree with? Don’t worry, you can have your own opinion. What is their old way of doing things, and what is your new idea? Lean into that. It’s your cue.
For me, it was that BS advice from self-proclaimed business gurus telling us how to get our dream clients in no time. They have that secret outreach message for LinkedIn that turns any contact into a 6-figure project. I’m exaggerating, but you get my point.
When I started questioning even the advice of my mentor, whom I paid a sizeable 5-figure sum each month, I found my own voice. I stopped blindly following their outdated methods and began to trust my instincts. This shift allowed me to create something truly unique and personal.
Questioning the status quo is where you find the magic. It created ripples, and the right people got drawn into my life—the people that could help me accomplish an even bigger vision.
Step 2: Lean into Your Fears
There’s a big dream inside of you. But we are afraid to let it out. Why? Because it would be wild. And you know it. Chances are, you’ve already bounced against that ceiling. You tried, you failed.
Maybe you took half-hearted actions and failed. Most people falter here because they fear failure and avoid risks. But failure is a crucial part of the journey. The only reason why you truly fear failure is because you fear what others think of you. Reflect on that for a moment. It should destroy your doubts.
I failed many times before I found my path. Literally lost millions. But I would never have made those millions in the first place if I had not, at times, followed my path. Each failure taught me something valuable and pushed me closer to my true vision.
Today I lean into my fears full-time, embrace my fuck-ups, and take real bold actions. I will fail again. But I will get out the other side eventually.
Step 3: Your Path Will Reveal Itself
This is where the magic happens. Consistent, authentic action leads to real progress.
I have no clue what steps I need to take in 3 months. Don’t even ask me about 1 year. Or even 3 weeks from now. I trust that everything will reveal itself eventually. I will find the people that can help me at each step. I cannot plan shit. Makes no sense. How do you want to plan for innovation?
Makes no sense, does it? You think Steve Jobs planned to come up with the iPhone when he started Apple? Things happen once you have the balls to take the first step and consistently keep going.
Keep your eyes on your vision. Every step, no matter how small, builds momentum. Stay true to yourself and keep pushing forward. The light at the end of the tunnel is your vision coming to life.
Your Journey Starts When You Stop Following
Break free from pre-packaged thinking. You know that LinkedIn guru BS: Create your own path. Grow some balls. Embrace your individuality, challenge the norms, go against the grind, and take consistent, authentic action. Your journey to creative freedom and a fulfilling business starts today.
Ready to stop playing by someone else’s rules? Call me. We run the Creative Business Club. A community of creatives building authentic, fulfilling businesses beyond the million-$ mark in their own way.
No fluff. No bullshit. Just straightforward business coaching for the creative professional.
Have the balls to be your own guru :)
Not your 'guru' Marko
Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Book a 1:1 Call
And when you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help you:
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