The Overlap Technique – Calculated Steps to Pursuing Your Passion Vocationally

Note: These slides were not designed to make sense on their own. Please following along with the accompanying audio at http://seanwes.com/52 for context.

Transcript

1. The Overlap Technique
2. Note: These slides were not designed to make sense on their own. Please follow along with the talk audio at seanwes.com/52 for context.
3. chronic perfectionism
4. 90%
5. 90% (that’s your job)
6. Sean McCabe
7. aka seanwes Sean McCabe
22. Challenging the status quo.
23. •  Go to college
24. •  Go to college … because that’s what you do.
25. •  Go to college •  Get real job … because that’s what you do.
26. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) … because that’s what you do.
27. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt … because that’s what you do.
28. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt – Take a loan for a car … because that’s what you do.
29. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt – Take a loan for a car … or a house … because that’s what you do.
30. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt – Take a loan for a car … or a house … or your business … … because that’s what you do.
31. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt – Take a loan for a car … because that’s what you do.
32. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt – Take a loan for a car •  Charge by the hour … because that’s what you do.
33. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt – Take a loan for a car •  Charge by the hour •  Provide clients with multiple concepts … because that’s what you do.
34. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt – Take a loan for a car •  Charge by the hour •  Provide clients with multiple concepts •  Put ads on your website … because that’s what you do.
35. •  Go to college •  Get real job (or be starving artist) •  Get into debt – Take a loan for a car •  Charge by the hour •  Provide clients with multiple concepts •  Put ads on your website •  Use sponsors to monetize the podcast … because that’s what you do.
36. What would happen if I…
37. What would happen if I… with  Values? Started
38. What would happen if I… with  Passion? Started
39. •  I’m not here to tell you how to live. The Purpose
40. •  I’m not here to tell you how to live. •  I’m here to share what I’ve learned. The Purpose
41. •  I’m not here to tell you how to live. •  I’m here to share what I’ve learned. •  Let go of others’ impositions. The Purpose
42. •  I’m not here to tell you how to live. •  I’m here to share what I’ve learned. •  Let go of others’ impositions. •  Wipe the slate clean. The Purpose
59. $
62. Client work
63. Client work Physical products
64. Client work Physical products
65. Client work Physical products Podcast
66. Client work Physical products Podcast Community
67. Client work Physical products Podcast Community Learn Lettering
68. Client work Physical products Podcast Community Learn Lettering (March)
69. Client work Physical products Podcast Community Learn Lettering (March) On-going process…
70. Client work Physical products Podcast Community Learn Lettering (March) …what’s next? On-going process…
71. I’m writing a book.
72. I’m writing a book. The Overlap Technique
73. WORK
74. •  3 months
75. •  3 months •  30–40k words
76. •  3 months •  30–40k words •  Day 56 of Early Wake, Daily Write
77. •  3 months •  30–40k words •  Day 56 of Early Wake, Daily Write •  I asked my subscribers 2 questions:
78. •  3 months •  30–40k words •  Day 56 of Early Wake, Daily Write •  I asked my subscribers 2 questions: 1.  What is the hardest thing keeping you from pursuing your passion full time?
79. •  3 months •  30–40k words •  Day 56 of Early Wake, Daily Write •  I asked my subscribers 2 questions: 1.  What is the hardest thing keeping you from pursuing your passion full time? 2.  What would you like me to address in depth in the book?
80. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none?
81. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible?
82. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear?
83. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job?
84. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late?
85. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late? •  How do I manage my time?
86. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late? •  How do I manage my time? •  What if I don’t have any money to invest?
87. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late? •  How do I manage my time? •  What if I don’t have any money to invest? •  Can I be sure I’m really passionate about this?
88. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late? •  How do I manage my time? •  What if I don’t have any money to invest? •  Can I be sure I’m really passionate about this? •  How do I go about monetizing?
89. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late? •  How do I manage my time? •  What if I don’t have any money to invest? •  Can I be sure I’m really passionate about this? •  How do I go about monetizing? •  Where do I even start?
90. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late? •  How do I manage my time? •  What if I don’t have any money to invest? •  Can I be sure I’m really passionate about this? •  How do I go about monetizing? •  Where do I even start? •  What’s a good daily structure for staying focused?
91. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late? •  How do I manage my time? •  What if I don’t have any money to invest? •  Can I be sure I’m really passionate about this? •  How do I go about monetizing? •  Where do I even start? •  What’s a good daily structure for staying focused? •  How do you balance pursuing passion & family?
92. •  What if I’m a Jack of all trades master of none? •  Will my debt make it impossible? •  How do I overcome fear? •  What if I don’t have a day job? •  I’m 40 and I have a family—is it too late? •  How do I manage my time? •  What if I don’t have any money to invest? •  Can I be sure I’m really passionate about this? •  How do I go about monetizing? •  Where do I even start? •  What’s a good daily structure for staying focused? •  How do you balance pursuing passion & family? •  I’m scared to put myself out there—what will people think of me?
93. Clearly defining the Problem
94. It takes hearing things 7x for it to sink in
95. •  What is it? The Overlap Technique
96. WORK
97. •  “Doing what you love.” The Overlap Technique
98. •  “Doing what you love.” clichés The Overlap Technique
99. •  “Doing what you love.” clichés •  Calculated steps to transitioning from your day job to your passion. The Overlap Technique
100. •  “Doing what you love.” clichés •  Calculated steps to transitioning from your day job to your passion. The Overlap Technique
101. Don’t dismiss Doing What You Love as a “first world problem.”
102. “It’s not like you hate what you do…”
103. •  Fear of risk. The Overlap Technique
104. •  Fear of risk. •  Fear of the unknown. The Overlap Technique
105. •  Fear of risk. •  Fear of the unknown. •  Fear of losing job security. The Overlap Technique
106. •  Fear of risk. •  Fear of the unknown. •  Fear of losing job security. The Overlap Technique Mental Roadblocks
107. Job Security
108. Q: Where do I even start?
109. You have to start with a day job. Q: Where do I even start?
110. •  Find something you don’t hate. 1. Start with a day job
111. •  Find something you don’t hate. •  Not in the same industry. 1. Start with a day job
112. •  Find something you don’t hate. •  Not in the same industry. •  Don’t compromise to pay bills. 1. Start with a day job
113. •  Find something you don’t hate. •  Not in the same industry. •  Don’t compromise to pay bills. 1. Start with a day job Compromising to pay bills kills the passion.
114. “I have a wife and kids, and I'm stuck in a dead end job. Is there any hope for me?”
115. 1. Yes. It is possible.
116. 1. Yes. It is possible. 2. It will require serious discipline with your time.
117. 1. Yes. It is possible. 2. It will require serious discipline with your time. 3. You will need the full support of your family.
118. Find the time.
119. Find the time.
120. Find Make the time.
121. Do you…
122. •  Watch movies? Do you…
123. •  Watch movies? •  Habitually check Facebook? Do you…
124. •  Watch movies? •  Habitually check Facebook? •  Browse Reddit? Do you…
125. •  Watch movies? •  Habitually check Facebook? •  Browse Reddit? •  Play video games? Do you…
126. •  Watch movies? •  Habitually check Facebook? •  Browse Reddit? •  Play video games? •  Watch TV shows on Netflix? Do you…
127. It’s a matter of priority.
128. Those who are doing things that you admire aren’t blessed with 25 hours in a day. They sacrifice. They make time.
129. What are you not doing to make something more important possible?
130. Q: Can I be sure I’m really passionate about this?
131. You won’t know your passion until you’ve tried it for awhile. Q: Can I be sure I’m really passionate about this?
132. •  It can’t just be the idea of this thing. 2. You won’t know your passion until you’ve tried it for awhile.
133. •  It can’t just be the idea of this thing. •  You don’t want to find yourself stuck. 2. You won’t know your passion until you’ve tried it for awhile.
134. •  It can’t just be the idea of this thing. •  You don’t want to find yourself stuck. 2. You won’t know your passion until you’ve tried it for awhile. Don’t quit your day job … yet.
135. Q: How do I manage my time?
136. Set a consistent schedule and stick to it. Q: How do I manage my time?
137. •  Whether you spend 1 hour a day or 4 hours a day, be committed. 3. Set a consistent schedule and stick to it.
138. •  Whether you spend 1 hour a day or 4 hours a day, be committed. •  Remember, make the time. 3. Set a consistent schedule and stick to it.
139. •  Whether you spend 1 hour a day or 4 hours a day, be committed. •  Remember, make the time. 3. Set a consistent schedule and stick to it. You need the support of your family for this.
140. Q: How do I go about monetizing?
141. Build a portfolio and start working with clients. Q: How do I go about monetizing?
142. •  Think of an adequate number of portfolio items. 4. Build a portfolio and start working with clients.
143. •  Think of an adequate number of portfolio items. Now double it. 4. Build a portfolio and start working with clients.
144. •  Think of an adequate number of portfolio items. Now double it. •  2 ways to establish yourself: 4. Build a portfolio and start working with clients.
145. •  Think of an adequate number of portfolio items. Now double it. •  2 ways to establish yourself: •  1. Having credentials 4. Build a portfolio and start working with clients.
146. •  Think of an adequate number of portfolio items. Now double it. •  2 ways to establish yourself: •  1. Having credentials •  2. Having a solid portfolio 4. Build a portfolio and start working with clients.
147. •  Think of an adequate number of portfolio items. Now double it. •  2 ways to establish yourself: •  1. Having credentials •  2. Having a solid portfolio •  Make case studies that show that you know what you’re doing. 4. Build a portfolio and start working with clients.
148. Some people say: “Take whatever work you can get.”
149. Some people say: “Take whatever work you can get.” Be selective.
150. Q: What if I don’t have any money to invest?
151. Save every bit of money from client work. Q: What if I don’t have any money to invest?
152. •  You already have your bills covered. 5. Save every bit of money from client work.
153. •  You already have your bills covered. •  This is your startup capital. 5. Save every bit of money from client work.
154. •  You already have your bills covered. •  This is your startup capital. •  This money can be used to phase out your day job or invest in products. 5. Save every bit of money from client work.
155. •  You already have your bills covered. •  This is your startup capital. •  This money can be used to phase out your day job or invest in products. •  Six months? 5. Save every bit of money from client work.
156. Q: How do I overcome fear?
157. There is never going to be a perfect time. Q: How do I overcome fear?
158. •  Circumstances are never going to be “just right.” 6. There is never going to be a perfect time.
159. •  Circumstances are never going to be “just right.” •  There will always be a “leap of faith” moment. 6. There is never going to be a perfect time.
160. •  Circumstances are never going to be “just right.” •  There will always be a “leap of faith” moment. •  It will come down to taking a risk at some point, but that doesn’t mean you have to be foolish. 6. There is never going to be a perfect time.
161. Your passion may be something you can’t possibly know at this point in your life.
162. Assess your general interests
163. Assess your general interests Look to the intersection of your two primary interests.
164. LOGIC
165. LOGIC CREATIVITY
166. CREATIVITY LOGIC
167. CREATIVITY LOGIC Music
168. CREATIVITY LOGIC Music Design
169. CREATIVITY LOGIC Music Design Typography
170. Don’t start with the Money
171. Start with the Doing
172. OverlapTechnique.com
173. Bonus?
174. The single biggest actionable tip that increased my Influence.
175. Curate what you share.