e21 — Leaving the Rat Race: How I found purpose 🫶

Leaving the rat race: How I found purpose 🫶

Edition 21 — September 1st, 2024

I fucked up… Again.
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I ignored that little voice inside, the one that knows what’s up.
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Ever been rolling in cash but feeling like a zombie? Yeah, I’ve been there too. I was living the dream—branding 60+ TV stations worldwide, stacking awards like poker chips, closing million-dollar deals. My ego was doing cartwheels, but inside, I was hollow. Empty. I hit a wall and realized, “This isn’t it.” And, like a fool, I had to learn that lesson the hard way… again.
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That moment kicked off a journey—not just to make money, but to find some damn purpose in what I do.
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In this newsletter, I’m laying out how I busted out of that soul-sucking loop and made three massive shifts in how I approach my work and life. These shifts reignited my fire, made my daily grind something I actually looked forward to, and helped me steer towards a life with real meaning (or at least something close to it). Picture this: waking up, not just to crush tasks, but to do shit that matters to you. Building something that’s not just another project but a legacy. Creating a space where people feel safe to grow, where your team thrives, and where you give a damn about more than just the bottom line.
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But here’s the kicker—most studio owners are stuck. Trapped feeding this monster they created. They tell themselves it’s all part of the game, or that the paycheck justifies the misery. But deep down, they know they’re selling out, sacrificing the one thing that really matters—true purpose.

Why we sacrifice our life’s purpose: The Golden Handcuffs

The trap? It’s those golden handcuffs—the big bucks that keep you locked into projects that suck your soul dry. The comfort of a steady paycheck and the fear of stepping into the unknown keep most of us chained to work that doesn’t fulfill us.

Here’s why you stay stuck:

Fear of Financial Instability
Walking away from steady cash scares the hell out of you, even if it means staying in a job that drains you.
Lack of Direction
When you don’t know what you want, it’s easier to stick with what you know, even if it’s killing you inside.
Social Pressure
Society says money equals success, so you ignore that nagging dissatisfaction to keep up appearances.
Belief That “This Is Just How It Is”
You think work is supposed to suck, and that finding purpose is for dreamers.

But here’s the light at the end of the tunnel: You don’t have to stay stuck. I’m going to share how I broke these chains by making three pivotal shifts in how I work and live. My hope? That this sparks something in you too.

My 3 Major Shifts

Shift 1: Embrace the Unknown, Break the Mold

I stopped playing it safe. I ditched the predictable, cookie-cutter projects and dove headfirst into the unknown. Variety and innovation became my guiding lights. Letting go of the need for certainty cracked open doors to projects that felt true to who I am—creativity, helping others, and shaking things up.

This shift was seismic. I wasn’t just doing work; I was alive. The awards, the studio, the travel—it all came, but I wasn’t chasing it anymore. I stepped out of the fame hamster wheel.

Shift 2: Kill the Ego, Build Real Connections

But all that wasn’t enough. It felt empty. So, I killed the ego trip. I stopped chasing trophies and started focusing on real, human connections. Success wasn’t about the shiny accolades anymore; it was about the relationships I was building. Prioritizing people over praise gave my work depth and meaning.

I killed my designer identity and stepped into coaching, using my experience to help others build their dreams. It was more fulfilling, but then the growth monster reared its head again. Growth for growth’s sake—I was stuck in the fortune cycle, feeding the beast I created.

Shift 3: Choose Meaning Over Metrics

So I stopped. I stopped chasing empty metrics and started chasing what matters—meaning. Growth for the sake of growth? That’s a cancer. I wanted to contribute to something bigger than myself. Aligning my work with a greater purpose brought me joy and satisfaction I’d never felt before.

This wasn’t just about shifting careers; it was about shifting life. Now, for the first time in two decades, I feel truly free.

You legacy matters:

Breaking free from unfulfilling work? It’s about making these three big shifts: embrace the unknown, focus on real connections, and chase meaning over metrics. When you realign your work and life with these principles, you break free from the bullshit and start living a life that actually matters. I’ve been there. Don’t settle for less. You can have fulfillment and financial success. But it’s time to make that mental shift. t’s time to start the change.

Next Week: I’ll reveal what we are working on and we plan to create meaning — We call it PARADISO.

—Marko

Find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Book a 1:1 Call

p.s:. If you’re ready to build your dream and live as your true self, I’ve started a community of like-minded studio owners called The Creative Business Club. Reach out to learn how to join us.

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