![Tracking Wonder Podcast artwork](https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts123/v4/56/37/b1/5637b12c-17a2-612d-356b-8cc426c3aece/mza_6895079765240917801.png/100x100bb.jpg)
S2 EP6: Designing a Life & Business for Creative Mastery & Meaning — with Srinivas Rao & Marty Neumeier
Tracking Wonder Podcast
English - November 13, 2018 09:00 - 1 hour - 82 MB - ★★★★★ - 30 ratingsSociety & Culture Health & Fitness Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
We have spent the last several weeks exploring how to design memorable moments for our customers and communities, our audiences and even our families. But how do we design a life of wonder for ourselves? How do we juggle our own creative calling with the needs of our clients and communities? Is there a way to approach marketing as a craft, making it part of our path to mastery? How do we realize our best creative selves, pursuing mastery and meaning in every aspect of our lives?
Today, Jeffrey explores the creative process with Srinivas Rao, the founder and host of The Unmistakable Creative Podcast and author of the recently released Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake, and Marty Neumeier, Director of CEO Branding at Liquid Agency and author of several books, including the forthcoming business thriller SCRAMBLE: How Agile Strategy Can Build Epic Brands in Record Time.
Srinivas and Marty explain how they make decisions about which projects to take on, discussing the tension between what they have been called to create and market demands. They address the significance of ongoing reflection and self-awareness in carving a path of personal and professional mastery and offer insight around putting your imprint or signature on any project you take on, learning best practices—and then challenging them. Srinivas and Marty also describe how they measure the value of their own work, seeking self-mastery rather than obsessing over marketing metrics. Jeffrey asks them how they work through doubt in the writing process, what surprised them in the creation of their latest works, and how they foster openness in creative collaboration. Listen in for advice on leveraging a support system to navigate crises and learn how to design a fulfilling life and business with an eye to creative mastery and meaning.
Key Takeaways[5:01] Young Srini and Marty at their best
Srini listening to Thriller on repeat Marty learning to draw from mom[9:51] Marty’s transition to an audience of one
Career of being creative on behalf of other people Sold company to Liquid Agency ‘to do own art’[13:05] Srini’s transition to an audience of one
Making money helping others execute vision AJ Leon encouraged to ‘create own stuff’ Aim for mastery rather than metrics[19:55] Marty’s insight on mastery and metrics
Always focused on mastery, fell short on metrics Not about gaming system but getting word out[22:40] The difference between mimicry and modeling
Danger in replicating formula Rule to not be like anyone else[31:20] The role of environment in the creative process
Introduced to idea by The Ultimate Game of Life All things have energy that inspires OR expires Upgrade space to ‘pull into best version of self’[32:40] How to reinvent yourself with each new project
Explore other’s work, save what you love about it Can’t know what’s new unless experience world[43:12] Srini’s insight around creativity and the internet
Creative pursuits in search of external reward Tools designed to trigger envy and comparison Conflates attention with value, prevents creative work[50:54] The impetus for Marty’s new book SCRAMBLE
Business book won’t give experience of agile strategy Suggestion to deliver principles through story[53:14] The surprises Marty & Srini experienced in the writing process
Characters take on life of own Learn to write in rhythmic cadence[59:13] How Marty & Srini work through doubt when writing
Email from writing coach when Srini stuck Marty wrote in full view of advisor/audience[1:06:00] How Srini navigates crises in business
Support system of friends, family who care Therapy and self-care (exercise, eat well)[1:12:00] Marty’s approach to crises in SCRAMBLE
Character of CEO must involve team to fix problems Similar to own journey in realizing can’t do it alone[1:18:09] How to foster openness in creative collaboration
Eliminate ego and envy to do something great Project more important than who has ideas[1:20:55] What Srini & Marty are pursuing in the next year
Srini leveraging platform to highlight social issues Marty founding Level C (branding as profession) Connect with SrinivasThe Unmistakable Creative Podcast
An Audience of One: Reclaiming Creativity for Its Own Sake by Srinivas Rao
‘If You Want to Build an Audience, Focus on Mastery Instead of Metrics’ by Srinivas Rao
‘The Wasted Potential of the Internet’ by Srinivas Rao
Connect with MartyThe Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design by Marty Neumeier
SCRAMBLE: How Agile Strategy Can Build Epic Brands in Record Time by Marty Neumeier
Zag: The Number One Strategy of High-Performance Brands by Marty Neumeier
ResourcesCreative Live with Danielle LaPorte & Srinivas Rao
Leap First: Creating Work That Matters by Seth Godin
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey with Eric Hagerman
The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging by Charles Vogl