Maybe that's why we

don't see those types of magical creatures roaming around anymore. I'm gonna need a moment, right? Right? Now, I'd ask you, what do you see when you see an elephant? Is it clear? Is it nice, neat, and prepackaged for you or by you? Is it a long and jumbly list of things? Is it even possible? Or how about endless possibilities? Not one narrow label, endless possibilities. Isn't that the hallmark of being creative? Isn't that how we can tell more powerful stories by looking past preconceived notions and pre-existing labels to see what others don't or can't or won't? To make something from nothing or to make something our own, to add, subtract, reveal, and extract. Others place labels on you all the time and it's likely that this alters the way you see yourself, you pursue your work, and you live your life. They tell you, you're a marketer, you're a blogger, you're an accountant, you're in a creative rut, you're the type who suffers from writer's block, you're a practitioner, no, you're a manager, you're smart, you're not smart, you're suited for corporate work, you're better off independent, you're the silly one, no, you're the serious one, you're the one whose ideas never seems to pass muster with the boss, the client, the audience, you're a rock star, you're an imposter. What if they're wrong? I mean, they are blind, or in this instance, what if the version of you they encountered initially was correct? What if others don't stumble upon a marketer, a blogger, an accountant, an imposter? What if they really did stumble across a magical creature, something that had the abilities and the interests of each of these things and more, and then they just convince each other, eh, you're just that thing. And worse than that, what if they could convince you that you're just that thing? And then what if you, a magical creature, didn't have someone around who knew you, someone who saw you for what you really are and loves you enough in that moment to say no, they're all wrong, and you're more than that. I don't know. Maybe that's why we don't see magical creatures roaming around the internet anymore. What do you see when you see an elephant? When you encounter a moment, an idea, a story, a turn of phrase, or your own reflection, is that thing just that thing, or could it be something else, something more, something they haven't noticed before? See past the labels, go beyond the current version, the conventional wisdom, the widespread understanding, add something, subtract something, reveal something, extract something, in doing so, make it your own. When I see Derek Del Gaudio, I struggle to label him. I guess he's a storyteller. He's a storyteller who stood on a stage. He's a storyteller who stood on a stage telling a story, which itself was a retelling of a story told by another storyteller, who was himself retelling a story originally told by, well, we're not exactly sure. Got it? If not, no worries. That's kind of the point. Thank you so much for listening. This episode was written, edited, and produced by me, and I cannot encourage you strongly enough to go watch in and of itself on Hulu if you can, or at least check your show notes for a link that I found on YouTube of Del Gaudio telling the story of the blind men and the elephant, or the story of these six dudes. It's incredible. It's been haunting me for a while now. I adore it, and I think you will too. If you like stories like today's, please consider subscribing to my free newsletter called playing favorites. It's all about how we can create work that matters more to our careers, our companies, our communities. It's about how to resonate deeper to grow better. You can subscribe using the link in your show notes or visit jaconzo.com. If you're interested in joining a membership program to push yourself creatively, visit creatorkitchen.com. This is my brand new membership program I'm really, really focused on the show and the program as sort of the one, two punch of my work right now. It's all about, again, pushing yourself creatively, going beyond the basics to ensure that you're shipping work that feels more like your own, doing work only you can do to connect more deeply, not just with others, but also with yourself. Because honestly, that's who I care about. You doing work that fulfills you and gets results all at the same time. So that's at creatorkitchen.com to learn more and sign up for a membership. Listeners to the show can get $100 off their membership. Use the code unthinkable with all capital letters unthinkable for $100 off creatorkitchen.com or check your show notes for a link. I'm back in two weeks with another episode. Until then, keep making what matters. See

ya.