Not Overthinking
Brandon Sanderson (Best-Selling Author) on Writing, Careers and Finding Your Passion
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Financial stability enabled Sanderson to envision a modest secure future.
- Sanderson motivates team members by granting ownership in company profits.
- Balancing financial success with artistic integrity drives Sanderson's creative aspirations.
Deep dives
Building a Financially Secure Future
As Brandon Sanderson's income doubled annually, hitting significant milestones like $80,000 and $300,000, he gradually felt more financially secure. By the time he reached an income level of $80,000, after accounting for various deductions, he started feeling comfortable. This financial stability allowed him to envision a modest yet secure future.
Balancing Ownership and Creativity
Sanderson emphasizes the importance of ownership and creative autonomy in his work relationships. He ensures that his team members, both long-term staff and project-based contributors, have a sense of ownership in the company's profits. This approach motivates the team to excel by rewarding their creative input with bonuses tied to the company's financial performance.
Work Ethic and Financial Planning
Sanderson's strong work ethic, influenced by his mother's background in accounting, played a significant role in his financial success. Implementing financial planning early in his career, he focused on doubling his income annually until he reached a point where financial concerns became negligible. Setting clear financial goals and diligently saving allowed him to retire financially independent at an early age.
Creating Fulfilling Work Environments
Sanderson's philosophy emphasizes creating fulfilling work environments where employees feel ownership and pride in their creative contributions. By granting a percentage of profits to team members and instilling a sense of partnership, he fosters a culture of creative fulfillment and financial security within his business. This approach ensures that work is not only lucrative but also artistically rewarding.
Achieving Financial Independence through Strategic Opportunities
Through a combination of legitimate opportunities and generous support, the individual featured in the podcast episode was able to attain financial independence. Their gratitude towards a benefactor who recognized their value and compensated them appropriately led to financial stability. This strategic financial planning, coupled with a stroke of luck in their career, transformed the individual's financial situation positively.
Balancing Financial Goals with Artistic Aspirations
Despite achieving financial independence, the individual expressed a dual focus on meeting promises to fans and creating culturally significant works. Their aspiration to elevate their work to a level of cultural impact akin to renowned figures like George Martin drives them. The pursuit of mass media projects like films or television shows is seen as a means to amplify their creative vision. Balancing financial success and artistic integrity is paramount for realizing these aspirations.
Hey everyone - another bit of an 'in-between'-isode this week. In this episode, Ali talks to Brandon Sanderson - his favourite author of all time. Brandon is a best-selling author who has written books that have sold millions of copies including the incredible fantasy books, Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive. He also wrote the final 3 books of The Wheel of Time series. Brandon's output is legendary - he writes books almost faster than we can read them, and he teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. In this wide-ranging discussion, they not only discuss writing but also talk about finding your passion, creating enjoyment, business decisions and why Brandon wanted to work night shifts at a hotel when he was first starting out on his writing journey. Enjoy.
Brandon's Links
Website - https://www.brandonsanderson.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/BrandSanderson
Twitter - https://twitter.com/BrandSanderson
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brandsanderson/?hl=en
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