What’s really holding you back from working for yourself? Is it a fear of criticism or a need for validation or maybe a little of both? Maybe you need to embrace both praise and criticism.

I’m so excited to have on the show today, thought leader Chris Brogan, who has spent the past 20+ years helping people and business learn how to build community be creating content.This guy was blogging before the rest of us even knew what it was all about!

He’s the founder and CEO of Owner Media Group, helping business find their modern voice. He’s the author of 9 best-selling books about marketing and building community.

We’re gonna talk about his next book, Make Your Own Game, which is very in alignment with the mission of this podcast to create your own work with purpose.

Although this is one of my shorter interviews, almost every minute of our conversation is packed with insights that will challenge how you currently view work.

Chris shares his views on the future of work and what you need to do to start reprogramming your mind for the new realities of work.

His biggest lesson: Stop censoring yourself. Instead, attempt, fail, adapt. Oh, and he also advises, stop caring about both praise and criticism if you want to succeed.

A few lesson crammed into this episode include:

How mass personalization is fundamentally changing the nature of work.
How to begin the process of designing your work. Start by assessing your existing skills or find people you want to help.
Stop looking at your belly button. Stop focusing on your problems and focus on the problems of others to solve.
How to build your own confidence.

Life Skills That Matter In This Episode

Self-awareness.
Embrace discomfort.
Build community.

How Chris Works and Thinks

Ideal work environment: Works everywhere wherever there is a scrap of space. He doesn’t let ideal conditions stop him. He keeps his flow wherever he is.