In this season 11 premiere episode, host Jen Van Horn speaks with Executive Coach Dave O'Connor about navigating uncertainty, overcoming creative blocks, and strategic business development for freelancers and motion designers.

This episode covers:

• Post-2025 industry check-in: Community members share experiences ranging from career pivots and AI anxieties to steady growth, revealing widespread uncertainty about industry direction and personal positioning
• The power of "just try it": Breaking through decision paralysis by committing to small, low-stakes experiments rather than seeking perfect clarity before taking action
• Strategic tolerance assessment: Examining what you're willing to accept in your business—from client relationships to workload—as a framework for identifying necessary changes
• Reframing failure as experimentation: Shifting from fear-based decision-making to viewing unsuccessful attempts as valuable data collection rather than personal shortcomings
• Managing the freelance mental load: Practical strategies for studio owners and freelancers dealing with constant inbound demands, including dedicated planning time and intentional week design
• Building agency through constraints: Using limited resources or time as creative advantages rather than obstacles, and making deliberate choices within those limitations

Key Reflection Prompt: "With respect to your business development, what are you willing to tolerate?"

Upcoming Schedule:

• Next week: Will and Catherine from Open Pixel Studios discussing their 2025 cross-country journey and 2026 plans
• Game night coming later in February

Resources from Coach Dave:

• 5-Minute Future Worksheet (quick visioning exercise)
• Design Your Next Move (single commitment planning tool)
• Get Your Shit Together (25-35 minute weekly planning process)

Visit MondayMeeting.org for this episode and other conversations from the motion design community!

SHOW NOTES:

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