The hardest part of accomplishing anything is taking the first step. Whether you’re nervous about sharing work for the first time or fear you’ll never find success, most big-time creators have felt the same.

How do you push through those tough early stages when there’s no guarantee of success or profit? ConvertKit Product Manager, Romane Dagain, knows what it’s like to navigate the early days of being a creator while balancing a 9-5 and resisting burnout and self-criticism.

In this episode, Charli and Miguel talk with Romane about the hardest obstacles to overcome when you’re starting, reframing your mindset on monetization, and avoiding the pressure of outside perspectives.

“Even if I can show something that’s imperfect, maybe I can show something that is approachable as well, and then more people will want to try it. Maybe more people will see it. And then if I can just get more people just picking up a pen and just writing a few words and just enjoying this activity once in their lives, then I’m happy. That’s what I was meant to achieve.” ~ @romanedgn

Main takeaways

[04:38] Sometimes, the hardest part of starting a side hustle is accepting that you’ll have to share your work and that it’s good enough to share.
[09:50] Creating in public is a great way to hold yourself accountable, stay motivated, and connect with other passionate creators.
[12:28] You are always your toughest critic. Don’t be too hard on yourself or let perfectionism stop you from sharing.
[20:37] Before jumping into a monetization strategy, you have to build up the habit of creating as well as an audience. Take advantage of that time before monetization and the freedom in creating just to create.
[24:31] Part of the fun of becoming a creator is building something you love. Don’t let other people’s pressure and advice distort your passion project into something you dislike.

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