Why I’m Ditching Goals For Desire-Led Creativity

You don’t need another list of goals to feel legitimate as a writer. You need a stronger bond with yourself. In this conversation, I share why I’m letting desire, not deadlines, lead my creative life and how that shift changes the way I write, market and choose who I work with. Instead of chasing the trendy funnel or the “proven” playbook, I walk through the felt process of noticing what lights you up and letting that energy set the pace for your work.We dig into the difference between goals and desires—goals feel rigid and external, desires feel like vision in motion and how to build a simple ritual to close the year with intention. Month by month, we look back on 2025 to celebrate the good, honour the hard and, most importantly, shed what no longer fits: people pleasing, hustle for the sake of it, and the heavy shoulds that flatten your spark. I share practical ways to translate desire into action, like protecting slow mornings, writing when the characters are loud, and choosing collaborators who feel like magic.Rejection gets a full reframe here. A no is not a verdict on your worth; it’s neutral data about timing, taste and context. When you cut the cord between reviews and identity, you free up momentum to write the next true page and find the readers who will love your voice. We close by rebuilding self-trust through tiny kept promises that prove you can lead yourself into 2026 with clarity and calm. If you’re ready to trade pressure for presence and let your energy lead, hit play, subscribe, and share this with a writer who needs permission to choose what lights them up.Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

When life starts to feel heavy, frantic, and strangely hollow, it’s not a sign to push harder. It’s a signal. We explore burnout as misalignment—what happens when our days are ruled by shoulds, constant reaction, and the stories we once believed about success. Instead of glorifying hustle, we slow down, cut the noise, and listen for what our inner compass has been whispering all along.Across this conversation, we unpack the “universe handbrake” moment when energy drops, motivation vanishes, and even simple tasks feel uphill. Rather than treating that as failure, we frame it as feedback. We cover practical steps to reset: disconnect from social media and opinions, make space for silence, and ask the cleanest question we know—What do I want? From there, we get specific about journaling prompts, visualising a day designed by desire, and translating that vision into one brave, concrete action. No grand overhaul required, just a daily practice of alignment that respects your season and your nervous system.We also speak to the fear of change, especially when identity and income are tied to an old path. You’ll hear how to build small pivots that add up, why joy is not frivolous in meaningful work, and how alignment fuels creativity, clarity, and genuine service. By the end, you’ll have a grounded method to move from burnout to resonance: imagine, write, choose, and repeat. If you’re feeling the end‑of‑year fatigue, take this as your gentle permission slip to reset and rewrite. Listen, reflect, and tell us: what will you say yes to this week?If this resonated, follow the show, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs a nudge back to themselves. Your words help more people find their way to alignment.Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

Rooms that once spiked your nerves can become places where your work shines, if you decide to belong before you arrive. This conversation dives into the inner pivot that turned a daunting Rare Melbourne 2025 signing into my most aligned, high-impact event yet, across connection, presence, and sales. By choosing the energy of “I am the one.”We unpack the real mechanics of that shift: catching comparison before it snowballs, moving from external validation to clean self-approval, and protecting the signal of a fresh idea so it doesn’t get cut by polling for permission. I share the practices that grounded me gratitude while packing pre-orders, mirror work, simple affirmations, and nervous system check-ins and how those choices changed my posture, my pace, and the way readers found me. Instead of scanning the room for proof, I stood in the work. The result was easeful conversations, aligned opportunities, and the strongest signing I’ve had to date.You’ll hear why creating from intuition beats trend-chasing, how to translate inner certainty into visible magnetism, and what integration looks like after a big event so you don’t crash. If you need evidence that mindset becomes matter, consider this your field note: you attract what you believe you already are. Ready to anchor it? Steal the journal prompts at the end and make one clean decision today without polling anyone. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a writer who needs a lift, and leave a quick review to help more creatives find these tools.Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

The screen said my profile was disabled and the floor dropped out. No warning, no human, no appeal link that worked. That single moment exposed just how much of my author business lived on borrowed land and how quickly a platform can rewrite your plans.I walk through the messy middle of what happened next: losing access to Facebook, the scramble to secure my page and readers group, and the mystery of whether ads were still billing against assets I could no longer see. The one thing that saved me was a quiet decision months earlier to add a backup admin. From there, we map the practical safeguards every creator should set up now: multiple admins across pages, groups, ad accounts and pixels; documented campaigns outside the platform; spend alerts; and separate profiles where allowed. If you run Facebook ads or host a community, these steps reduce risk and speed up recovery.The deeper lesson runs beyond checklists. Social platforms are brilliant for reach and discovery, but they are not a stable foundation. We talk about shifting the centre of gravity to owned channels: a fast, clear website; consistent email marketing with real value; and community spaces where member details are portable. I share simple ways to move readers from feeds to your home base with ethical lead magnets, clean onboarding sequences, and SEO-friendly content that compounds. We also confront the emotional side: panic, acceptance, and the resolve to rebuild better, with more control and less dependence on algorithms.If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the algorithm pulls the plug, or if your audience would still find you tomorrow, this conversation hands you a plan. Subscribe for more practical storytelling on authorship, platform strategy, and sustainable book marketing, leave a review to help more writers find us, and tell me: what will you secure first today?Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

Have you ever felt like you're auditioning for a role you've already earned? Like you're somehow the understudy in your own life story? That feeling of waiting for permission to fully show up is exactly what we're dismantling in this raw, honest exploration of what it truly means to "become the one."This isn't about a superficial makeover or chasing some elusive achievement. Becoming the one is a homecoming, a return to your authentic self and a daily recommitment to standing in your power. It's about shedding the beliefs that have kept you discounting your books, waiting for "perfect" conditions, and mistaking chaotic hustle for productive chemistry. When you declare "I am the one," you fundamentally shift how you approach your creative work and how the world responds to it.I'm sharing my current journey through this transformation, including the terrifying but necessary process of shedding clients, income streams, and business models that no longer align with my highest purpose. The universe has responded with unexpected abundance through surprise book sales, affiliate payments, and new opportunities arriving precisely when needed. This isn't coincidence; it's what happens when you trust without doubt that you're supported in following your creative calling.For writers especially, this mindset shift is revolutionary. When you create from a place of pure joy rather than desperate hustle, your work resonates more deeply. Your ideas flow more freely. Your unique voice becomes magnetic. So carry your own crown into every room, move before you're validated, and remember: your voice, your truth, your power. You are the one.Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

Ever caught yourself in an endless cycle of strategizing, planning, and searching for the perfect roadmap to success? You're not alone. Welcome to a transformative exploration of why obsessing over "the how" might be the very thing holding you back from the creative breakthrough you've been seeking.Throughout my journey as an author since 2018, I've discovered something counterintuitive yet profoundly liberating: the magic happens when you let go. Control—that persistent need to know exactly how you'll reach six figures, publish ten books, or nail your marketing strategy—silently suffocates creativity. The moment I stopped demanding precise answers and started trusting my intuition, everything shifted.This isn't about abandoning discipline or strategy altogether. Rather, it's about understanding that no marketing plan, however brilliant, can overcome self-doubt. When readers encounter your work, they don't just experience your words—they feel your energy. Do you truly believe in what you've created? Does your confidence radiate through every page and promotional effort? Or are you apologetically offering your creative gifts, secretly doubting their value? The difference is palpable.My greatest investments haven't been in expensive courses or complex strategies—they've been in myself. In mentors who helped me reconnect with my authentic voice. In creating space to fall deeply in love with my life and journey. This inner alignment has proven more powerful than any external tactic.Embrace curiosity instead of control. Wake up each day as a slightly different version of yourself, constantly evolving. When triggers arise, get curious about them rather than reactive. Journal, explore, discover. This path of self-discovery strengthens the confidence that ultimately sells books far more effectively than any marketing formula ever could.Ready to transform your creative journey? Lean back into trust. Co-create with the universe. You'll discover that when you let go of controlling every detail, you don't just reach your destination—you fall in love with the entire journey. Your readers will feel it too.Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

Ever wonder why the hustle-and-grind approach to author success leaves you feeling empty even when you're hitting your goals? I had this revelation while conducting a business audit for one of our Daring Press clients who thanked me for something unexpected—reminding her to celebrate her achievements.The constant chase for the next milestone, the next book release, or the arbitrary markers of "success" we've created in the author community creates immense pressure that disconnects us from joy. I know because I've lived it. There was a time when I released nine books in a single year, convinced that more production meant more success. The result? Complete exhaustion and creative burnout.Then something unexpected happened. The following year, I published just one book but approached it entirely differently. I took my time, marketed in ways that felt authentic, and operated from a place of alignment rather than pressure. That single book outperformed all nine from my "hustle year" combined. This wasn't just luck—it was the direct result of shifting from external validation to internal guidance, what I call "self-remembering" rather than self-discovery.The most powerful investment you can make isn't in marketing strategies or productivity systems—it's in reconnecting with yourself. When you trust your instincts, honor your authentic desires, and create from a place of joy, you become naturally magnetic. Your work reflects that energy, and readers respond. So pause for a moment today and celebrate how far you've come. Your future self is watching, hoping you'll slow down long enough to notice you've already built parts of the dream life you're still chasing.Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

What's the most valuable investment you can make as an author? After years of chasing strategies and systems, I discovered the surprising answer that transformed not just my career, but every aspect of my life.For too long, I operated under the crushing weight of hustle culture. I scheduled rigid writing hours, created endless to-do lists, and measured my worth by productivity metrics. This mindset once drove me to write nine books in a single year—an achievement that left me completely burnt out and disconnected from the very creativity that called me to writing. The conditioning ran deep: work hard to make money. If you're not reaching your goals, you're not hustling enough.Everything changed when I began investing in myself instead. By reconnecting with who I am, nurturing my wellbeing without guilt, and approaching my emotions with curiosity rather than judgment, I transformed my relationship with writing. The words began flowing from a place of genuine connection rather than forced productivity. I stopped chasing external markers of success like bestseller lists or income thresholds, and instead focused on enjoying the creative process itself.The results defied everything hustle culture had taught me. My income doubled, then tripled—not because I was working harder, but because I was creating from an authentic, centered place. Sales started coming in precisely when I was out living my life, enjoying experiences that filled my creative well. Readers connected more deeply with work that came from a place of genuine emotion and presence.Ready to break free from the burnout cycle and discover what happens when you make yourself your best investment? Trust your instincts, honor your needs, and watch as success follows naturally—not as something you chase, but as the natural byproduct of living and creating authentically. Your readers (and your future self) will thank you.Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

Finding the perfect team members is like choosing creative collaborators to help write your business story. Are you rushing the process or taking time to find people who truly align with your vision?In this deeply personal episode, I pull back the curtain on my transformative approach to hiring for the Daring Press. After years of sometimes selecting the wrong people, I embarked on a thoroughly intentional two-month journey to find team members who would bring the right energy to our creative container.The process began with a comprehensive application form featuring over 20 questions designed to reveal not just professional capabilities, but personal values and working styles. With 80+ applications to review across various roles. Editors, designers, formatters, and assistants, I created a methodical evaluation system against our core values of expression, integrity, collaboration, devotion, and creativity.Shortlisted candidates received custom challenges that revealed how they would actually interact with clients. For editors, I examined not just technical ability but whether their feedback language honored authors' voices. For designers, I assessed how their creative vision aligned with client needs. These practical tasks gave invaluable insight into how candidates would embody our philosophy that "your story matters" in every client interaction.This journey taught me profound lessons about business growth and authentic leadership. As I've moved away from hustle culture toward a more intentional approach, I've paradoxically seen greater success. By releasing the pressure to follow prescribed strategies and rigid timelines, I've created space for organic growth and meaningful connection, both within my team and with the authors we serve.If you're currently hiring, I encourage you to slow down, take your time, and choose people who truly resonate with your vision. Technical skills are teachable, but alignment of values and energy is priceless. Reach out via DM at the daring press on Instagram with any questions about intentional hiring, I'd love to continue the conversation!Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/

Take a breath right here, right now. Feel that pulse? That's life asking you to meet it in devotion.Devotion has long been misunderstood as rigid discipline or perfectionism, but true devotion is simply a choice - it happens when you stop waiting to be ready. You devote yourself to life not because it's easy, but because it's yours. It's not about getting it right; it's about staying in the room and living the life you've already created.My personal devotion practice revolves around three pillars that fuel everything else: expression through writing before serving others or checking emails; movement that comes from love rather than discipline; and embodiment work that regulates my nervous system so I can safely pursue my vision. When I fuel myself through these practices first, I step into serving others with infectious energy that's fully activated and alive.Trust forms the bridge between fear and flow in this devotion journey. We trust because our soul remembers something our mind keeps forgetting - we were never meant to do this alone. The more we trust life, the more life trusts us back. This co-creative relationship opens doors that seem magical but are actually the natural result of devoted, inspired action.The greatest lesson I've learned is to love life now, not when everything's perfect. We get caught waiting for healing, safety, or success before fully living, but this moment is the only real thing we have. When we embrace presence over perfection, everything changes. Today, I dare you to be devoted not to perfection but to presence, to trust not that you'll never fall but that you'll rise again, and to love your life not when it's fixed, but right now - this breath, this body, this moment. Because this is everything.Listen in, then share your devotion practice with us! What daily ritual helps you fall in love with your life exactly as it is?Book your complimentary discovery call here!Discover what social media platform is right for you here!Download 50 content ideas for authors here! Website: https://thedaringpress.com/