To Be Obsessed

Confession: I have NOT made art in at least 3 years. đ«Ł
I was watching the movie Bohemian Rhapsody this week and a lightbulb đĄ totally went off for me. They showed how the rock band, Queen, holed up in a house in the middle of nowhere to create their genre bending operatic rock and roll song. Oh, I thought, so cut off the noise of outside influence and there's space for new creation?
This should not be a revolutionary thought. But it hit me like a ton of bricks how much passion and purpose is missing from our work while I was watching that movie. Queen was in a category of their own. Willing to take risks and bend the norms of music, song and performance.
And here we are struggling to find our creativity. What often comes out is shallow, hollow haunts of mass communication instead of original expression. Distracted by trends and constant consumption.
The muses are missing. Inspiration is stifled. Our work is regurgitated. Our brains are being chemically altered. We want everything immediately - a 7 figure business, book deal, solo show, chart topping, record breaking, picture perfect feed.
It's all an illusion.
Pile on the growing uncertainty of the times & we have become paralyzed.
The only solution >>>> TURN IT OFF. Become Obsessed Again.
The rock band Queen were masters at crafting experiences with grand theatricality and rockâs raw energy made them one of the most unconventional and unforgettable bands of all time. Queen wasnât afraid to take risks. Songs like Bohemian Rhapsody were initially considered âtoo weirdâ but became timeless classics. Their music continues to influence artists across all genres, proving that originality and innovation can have a lasting impact.
I know it was just a movie, but I needed this reminder.
I certainly havenât felt this kind of obsession for my work in a very long time. Yes, last year was a rocky year for me, nor have I given myself the permission to fall back into love with my true calling, my PURPOSE, even though I know itâs my responsibility. Â
I believe the answer is buried inside me and I hide from it through the guise of needing to âalways be online for the business.â or âwho am I to be doing this?â Theyâre clearly lies that I tell myself. And my work suffers. I am the same as you are with all the same troubles that plague any multipassionate soul who is destined to create.
The truth is, none of us were meant to be continually connected and answering to micro requests of our attention all day long. We werenât meant to be able to do our best work while always wondering how we should frame the next photo or record the entire experience for the gram.
So, once again, I have deleted all the social apps off my phone. (I did this successfully for six months last year, but once again I have fallen prey to the dopamine hit.)
I know that social media is our primary source for organic growth for our businesses. The pressure to stay connected and produce marketing content is relentless. But without passion, without obsession, what do we have to give to the world? What can we even offer the social media gods?
Scrolling has taken the place of creating deep work. And if we don't change our relationship to the constant noise of the outside world, the comparison, the imposter syndrome, the procrastination... then we are just letting the machines and the ruling class take over what is left of our humanity.
Creativity is a revolution. Working offline (for however short or long) is a revolution...
Are you ready to do the deep work? Start with these 6 Questions to help you find your obsession...
- What did you love doing as a child before the world told you to be practical?
- What do people constantly ask you for advice on or assume youâre an expert at?
- Whatâs a weird or âtoo muchâ idea youâve had that you secretly wish you had the guts to try?
- Whatâs something you would willingly do for free because you love it that much?
- Whatâs a bold opinion or idea you have that more people need to hear?
- If you fully committed to what makes you come alive, how would your life change?
How do these questions make you feel? Fully committing to your Rebel Genius can be daunting, but it's what you're meant to do. Iâve been resisting it myself, so this is quite meta. Here are my own answers..Â
1. I wanted to make an adventure or experience out of the everyday. I wanted to be Indiana Jones or the leader of the Pink Ladies gang from Grease. Creating an experience for others was one of my top activities as a kid. Yes, I got called bossy, but it turns out that I'm a 7 Enneagram and that means I'm an enthusiast. (So if my bossiness comes out a little strong, it's just that I'm VERY enthusiastic! đ)
2. Most people come to me for advice on their business now, but before that I was always the cheerleader, giving people hope to follow their own path, beat their own drum and ride their own waves. I love individualism. So people come to me to find permission to be themselves. (By the way, you donât need my permission - you already have it in you!)
3. Maybe not weird, but definitely out of my league at the moment. I want my own show like Anthony Bourdain. Arts Unknown instead of Parts Unknown. I want to explore the world and talk to Creators who are obsessed with what they are doing. And have deep discussions about the origin of their passion and the purpose of their being and the meaning of life and humanity. I guess just a little weird.Â
4. Mentorship. I truly love every minute with my clients; I never feel worn out, even on days with back-to-back calls. If I were wildly wealthy, I would def do it for free, but right now I need to build a fortress so I can continue to support myself and my loved ones.Â
5. That while we may be multipassionate beings, our businesses will suffer greatly if we allow them to run unfocused on every whim we have. Even the most creative of creators need a niche. But fear not, you are not the niche, your business is. You can run naked and free in a field of daisies and paint the trees pink for all I care, but your business needs focus.
6. If I fully committed to what makes me come alive I would be speaking on stages and changing lives daily. Instead I play small. What I really want is to help everyone find their purpose and passion so they can live more authentically. Running a business from your Rebel Genius is a way out of the matrix and into your true calling. This is where the magic really happens. But I know I've been holding back.
I guess it's time to lean into my obsession? How about you? What answers did you come up with?
To keep you inspired here are 3 Creators who were obsessed with their work. Look how leaning into their Rebel Genius has helped lead to their success...
Frida Kahlo is a great example of letting your obsession take over. We know Frida documented her existence with her paintings and she did it with radical honesty. She intertwined her personal experiences, tragedies and political views into a visual language that no one else has replicated. And she was so obsessed with her painting practice that even when confined to bed for months, she still painted, often using a mirror hung from the ceiling to paint self-portraits. She didnât separate life from creativity. For her, they existed together.
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A contemporary example of living your obsession to its fullest is one of my favorite creators, Hilton Carter. He merged storytelling, interior design, and plant styling into a signature brand, making greenery a lifestyle rather than just a trend. Instead of simply following the houseplant trend, he defined and elevated it, turning it into a full-fledged profession. His recognizable aesthetic, deep passion, and multi-platform reach set him apart as a true outlier.
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Collage art and ephemera started out as a hobby, but has now become Margarete Millerâs full-time passion. She began working with me almost two years ago and at the time she was self producing and shipping collage books all over the world and hosting a free community. Turns out this is a lot of work for not nearly the kind of pay Margarete deserved for her obsession. We restructured her business to have a paid membership that includes a digital collage book and exciting projects. Within a year of launching her membership, Margarete now has over 300 members and makes more than she did selling physical books. And her hyper focus has led to significant growth with over 40k followers on her YouTube channel, too! Sometimes we have a passion but the method to monetize needs a refresh.Â
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What does true obsession really look like? And how can it lead to massive growth even when you finally shut off social media for awhile to dive deep?
I hope this training was helpful. If you do the work and share it on Instagram or Threads, please tag me @kelleewynne, or email me directly with your aha moments kellee (at) kelleewynnestudios.com
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Do you need my perspective on your obsession?
This is my specialty - I love to dig deep into your passions and purpose and turn it into a profitable outcome. Iâm like a detective as I put the pieces together of who you authentically are, without dismissing your true nature and innate gifts. Thatâs why my clients have had such amazing success doing what they LOVE, what they are obsessed with, and what they are meant to be doing, all while serving their people and growing a profitable business.Â
Itâs the best of both worlds when you get to do what youâre meant to be doing and get paid well. Sometimes itâs just the little pieces that are missing to pull it all together and make a stand out personal brand that captures the hearts of your audience. They know you get them, because you are them and you are showing up as your whole self. Itâs liberating to be free from the game and write your own rules!
This is how I help multipassionate course creators just like you. Marketing and growth doesnât have to be a mystery, but sometimes you need the alchemy of an advocate that can help you express your purpose and passion, create a message that resonates and make an offer that is irresistible.
If this resonates, then letâs make some magic together. My group mentorship program is open for application. If you already have a course creator business and want ongoing support turning it into the profitable power house you know it could be, then this is your sign to stop playing small and join The League.
Iâm also finally have 3 spaces open for my 1:1 VIP Alchemy Package that includes a full evaluation and feedback over two calls, direct messaging support, and a written guide for your personal strategy - perfect for those who are really stuck and need clarity for what comes next. Just reply to this email to start a conversation.Â
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