We don't hear this often. We usually hear the opposite. I even put rule #6 (which is to "remember to not take yourself so damn seriously") in the welcome email. Not taking ourselves too seriously is about detaching ourselves from the outcome when things don't go the way we wanted them to. It's shifting our emotion in the challenges we're facing and moving through them with an open and curious mind. It’s recognizing we're a work in progress living improvisational lives, and we shouldn't criticize ourselves too hard.

Should we not do this? Am I saying we should criticize ourselves harshly? As if we don’t do that enough?? Of course not. Not taking ourselves too seriously is really healthy and impactful, and it's something I still have a hard time doing myself. We should do this as much as we can, but it’s also important to know of and think about the other part of it — taking ourselves seriously.

This isn’t an opposite, but to me, a pairing. Taking yourself seriously is investing in yourself and your interests with the time and dedication they deserve because you are a rockstar. It's treating yourself like the person you know (or wish) you are capable of being. It's taking an interest or passion and going 110% into it. It's taking a dive when you feel like you should only dip your toes. If you don't go all in on your interests, you might miss the chance in seeing what they could become.

Having a brand strategy or social media plan for someone who wants to have a following on social media might seem ridiculous, but that's what taking yourself seriously is all about. It's not just getting music lessons, but trying to write and produce your own song. It's not just making handmade products, but turning the hobby into a small business. If there's a seed of interest in something, go into it the furthest you can. The best way to unveil the possibility in us is to take ourselves seriously and go all in on our interests. How does someone become great without taking themselves seriously?

Like everything, there's a balance, and we need to do what's healthy for ourselves and our minds, but the next time you want to try something new ask yourself, "How can I take myself seriously?"

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“The only way you become a leading man is to treat yourself like a leading man, and work your ass off.”

- Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Creative to inspire you

MANIFEST Craft Distillery packaging

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Can you 3D print a camera?

As a photographer (and a Studio fan) this video was super interesting to watch how modern technology can pair our phones and 3D printers to capture incredible film photography.