The Role of Creative Obsession
True creative change happens beyond the surface level.
Hey creator!
Driven Makers is now officially on Substack!
If you’re a long time subscriber from my old newsletter, welcome back!
And if you’re new here, hello!
My name is Jay and I started this newsletter to talk about the creator economy and to help creators navigate the future of creative work.
If you wanna learn more about the person behind Driven Makers, you can check out my Youtube channel.
Today we’re going to talk about the role of creative obsession and how sometimes we have to go beyond the surface level to unlock change.
Let’s dive in!
Kobe Bryant showed up to practice two hours earlier than his teammates. Casey Neistat created stunning daily vlogs for 800 straight days. Stephen King writes 2,000 words every single day. What connects these legends isn't just talent or consistency.
It's something deeper I call: creative obsession.
Creative obsession is a powerful force that consumes you in the pursuit of your passion. It's the natural drive to create, to express yourself, that's often suppressed by school, family expectations or financial situations.
For years, I felt stuck.
I lost most of my 20s chasing meaning, not realizing my passion for creating and helping others was right in front of me. Remembering how happy I was making videos as a teenager, I realized my creative obsession was always there, just waiting for me to embrace it.
Nietzsche once wrote:
Humans are driven by a deep desire to grow, create, and be in control over their own existence.
We’re all born creators.
Yet, many people struggle because society often discourages creative exploration.
Think about the child who loves drawing but stops because their parents say “It won’t make money.”
By not seeking to explore our own creative nature, we’re not giving ourselves permission to find our calling.
Creativity is about self discovery, never confuse this with creating content.
Creating content is just a skill you should learn to share that with the world.
Content is the vessel to make your creations have impact beyond just yourself, if you want to.
The more I hide from my ambition, from my cretive obsession, the more sad I get.
And the reserve is also true, the more I seek that ambition, the more I give in to my creative obsession, the more I create, the happier I get.
And funny enough, that's also how I make money through my business, that's also how I'm building my brand, that's how I'm able to make better videos, that's how I'm able to sustain building my brand while working a 9-5 until I don't need my 9-5 anymore.
Creative obsession drives all of this and helps me bypass motivation in the tougher days of the journey.
A little challenge for you
Here's a powerful challenge I want you to try, which changed how I see my life and creative business.
Step 1: List your top 5 creative ambitions. Be as specific as possible.
Step 2: Forget about the bottom 4 and focus only on the top 1.
If unsure, use the "coin flip paradox": When you flip a coin between two choices, your subconscious knows which outcome you're rooting for. The answer is already within you.
Step 3: Dedicate the next 30 days exclusively to this one ambition. Fully immerse yourself in it. Track your daily progress, note obstacles, and celebrate small victories, like writing your first draft, recording a video, or completing a piece of art.
For me, that ambition has been Youtube and now this newsletter.
If you commit deeply for 30 days, focusing completely, it's impossible not to see change.
Not just creatively, but in your personal life too.
Remember, creativity is not just about self-expression; it's about self-discovery.
Don’t just read this, take action.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Keep creating.
See you soon,
Jay.
When you’re ready, here’s how I can help:
99% of my content is free (and always will be) on my Youtube channel and here on my newsletter.
But in case you need help going from 0 to 1 in your own creator journey, even if you work a 9-5 and don't know how to start, I'd be glad to help.
Organizing your day, finding an angle for your ideas and providing you with the insights you need to finally embrace your journey as a creator.
Simply send me a message on jay@drivenmakers.com with the subject "mentoring" and let's have a conversation.
Cool & Random
This part of the newsletter is a wildcard — there’s always something cool and random in here, curated just for you.
And a personal note at the end. Enjoy!
Today I want to recommend two things for you:
A resource for visual creators
Eyecandy is a website with a library of visual techniques from movies, TV Shows and music videos.
You can use a bunch of filters and find out who’s the director behind it, tutorials on how to reproduce the scene and much more. Have fun creating!
A meditation guide (I told you this section was random)
This is Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master I found a few month ago.
I’ve been using his techniques for meditation is I’ve been enjoying very much. Mental health is no joke, specially for creators so, don’t miss out. Sometimes all we need is one breathing exercise to change our day.
I’ve been using this one:
This newsletter goes out every Tuesdays and Thursdays, so don’t forget to subscribe and I’ll see you in the next one!
Thank you for reading!