Hey Reader

I was thinking about something that feels pretty common these days—a “beneath me” problem.

It seems like so many of us want to jump straight into being an expert, to skip the steps where we’re still figuring things out, where we’re building the foundation. And I get it—we live in a culture that tells us to know our worth, to make sure we don’t undervalue ourselves. But somewhere along the way, that can turn into posturing. No one wants to be seen as paying their dues anymore.

And sometimes, if we’ve put in the work in one area of our life, we expect that effort to automatically transfer to a new endeavor. But that’s just not how it works. There are no shortcuts. You’ve got to put in the time, the energy, and honestly, even then, there are no guarantees.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “I’m not doing that—it’s beneath me,” and waiting for the “right” opportunities. But in doing that, we waste time, miss out on the chance to serve others, and, ironically, lose opportunities that could help us grow.

So yes, know your worth. But also? Build something. Prove you can do it. Show up and create something real. Lead with your work, not with a reputation you haven’t built yet.

Here are a few practical steps to move forward:

- Say yes more than no, especially in the beginning. You never know what doors might open when you’re willing to explore opportunities.

- Build a body of work. Whether you’re creating a portfolio, launching a project, or helping someone solve a problem, showing what you’re capable of speaks louder than talking about what you deserve.

- Focus on serving. When you help people, even in ways that might feel “small,” you build a network, confidence, and skills. Eventually, you’ll get to a point where you can say no strategically—but only because you’ve said yes enough to earn that position.

So today, maybe don’t worry about what feels beneath you. Instead, focus on what you can contribute.

Keep creating,

~ Mike Brennan

P.S. What do you need to say yes to?

DAILY CHECK-IN

Begin to ask yourself these questions every day as a part of your daily creating rhythms:

1. What did I create today?

2. What did I learn?

3. What can I celebrate?

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DAILY PROMPTS

MONDAY: Paint a landscape from a dream or memory.

TUESDAY: Create a short skit or sketch that celebrates a specific holiday or tradition.

WEDNESDAY: Use only ingredients that are a specific type of food (e.g. fruits, vegetables, grains, etc.) to make a meal.

THURSDAY: Imagine a world where the laws of physics operate differently. Write a story about what life might be like in this world.

WEEKEND PROMPT:

Create a scene from your favorite holiday.
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