This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

A bright spark entered the Gifted Underachiever clubhouse and her name is Carrie McConkey. For many years, Carrie thought that her crazy career background made no sense. After working in the fields of interior design, fashion design, college recruiting, human resources, fundraising, image consulting, and many more, Carrie found her way to freelance writing—and everything finally fell into place.

Today, Carrie pens magazine articles for local and national publications and is a content marketing writer for corporations and small businesses.

We talked with Carrie about writing her first nonfiction book on how to overcome entrepreneurial anxiety.

In our conversation, we discussed:

* The four big questions entrepreneurs face

* Giving ourselves time to be creative

* Feeling imposter syndrome

* The real risks of self-employment

* Workaholism and withdrawal

* Those who fake it without shame

* When anxiety can be useful

* Waiting to check the next box

* Taking our seat on the bus

* Letting things unfold

* Leaning on faith

* The value and meaning of transparency

We loved this deep conversation about one of the most important aspects of being a creative: looking after our mental health.

We’d love you to join the conversation!

Carrie’s Links:

Website: https://carriemcconkey.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriemcconkey/

The Sparked podcast by Jonathan Fields (with guest Yael Benjamin): Eleven scary truths about mental health and entrepreneurship

What Color is Your Parachute? https://parachutebook.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

In this segment, the Gifted Underachievers talk about taking the pause—not responding immediately with a yes or no to a project, an offer, or a trigger. If you’re not hard-wired to think carefully before you respond, what can you do?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Pat and James dive into music and how it can help or hinder creative work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Pat dazzles with yet another 1920s style cloche headband while James goes full delusional.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

In any creative field, it can be tempting to compare our situation with that of our peers. We discuss whether comparisons can help you move forward.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

James gets news on a recent pitch and Pat reports on an email from Canada Council for the Arts

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

When your brand contains the word "underachievers," it's important to remember the "gifted" part.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com