True self-care starts here: — Hey, my friends, I’ve just launched my long-overdue newsletter, “The Imaginator Conglomerate.” If you’re itching to join now because you love me so much and don’t feel like reading all the stuff below, here’s the link: https://ephraimchampion-creative.ck.page/jointheimaginatorconglomerate But if you want to learn more, I’ll tell you…

I’m gonna do it anyway. — There’s something wildly freeing about letting go of your expectations. Believe me, I know. I just let go of them. Right now. It feels amazing. Everyone’s so focused on what outcome their process leads to that it distracts them from the process itself. I still have high standards because high…

Lessons to be learned from an inevitable end. — A horrific thought enters my mind every time I’ve been told that someone has died: I’m glad it wasn’t me. But I’m not “glad.” I’m thankful. I’m thankful that I’ve been given another chance. It’s a terrible thought that I quickly dismiss, but I can’t help but think how grateful…

I’m back, for anyone who cares. Here’s what I learned about taking an unintentional break. — The last article I wrote was on November 14th of last year. That may not seem like a long time to some of you, but it damn sure is for someone like me. Someone like me, who swore to never do this again. Someone like me, who already knows what…

Why not be more than you are? — I’m haunted by a beautiful vision of creatives winning. A legion of artists are lined up in a field, armed with writing utensils, instruments, paintbrushes, coffee, and laptops. The sky is gray. Thunder rumbles in the distance. They know the Universe or God or the Muse (or all three) are…

Everyone wants to be creative — no one really tells you how. — First, consider: Why would you want to be creative in the first place? Maybe you realize that creativity is within us all. It’s fundamental to our being. Life feels purposeful when we are involved in creative work. You look at other creators and can’t help but think they’ve discovered true…

Rick Rubin, Elizabeth Gilbert, Steven Pressfield, and Ed Catmull on your creative obligation (if you consider yourself a creative). — Look at any of us weirdos who’ve been at the creative game long enough, and you’ll discover we believe in magic. Or God. Or the Muse. Or the Universe’s plan. Or all three. “Without the spiritual component, the artist works with a crucial disadvantage. The spiritual world provides a sense…

Don’t let them. — I think about two things often: I’m tired of watching others be successful I’m not content being someone else’s fan The point is that successful people bother me. I’m wildly impatient, and my dreams keep me up at night. But as much as I want to be there already, this…

Think for yourself or you’ll never get ahead. — Everything sounds good when it’s coming from someone whose work you admire. That doesn’t mean it is. Your genius lies in thinking for yourself. It lies in knowing that what works for one person may not work for you. You have to become a master at knowing what advice to…