You can plan and prepare as much as you want, but your journey isn't going to look anything like you expect. When I first set out seven years ago, I knew I wanted to build a personal brand. I didn't really know what that even meant at the time; but I knew, from watching all the early creators I looked up to, that it was something I wanted to do with my life. But I lacked the skills, the knowledge, and the confidence to do it. So I did what I could, and what I thought I needed to do. I started sharing my photography & digital art, because at least then I didn't need to be on camera. I needed to make money, so I started a videography business, filming videos for athletes and sports teams that I'd been apart of growing up. It didn't look or feel anything like the goal I initially set out to achieve, but I was making progress. Then, slowly, as my confidence grew, I started sharing YouTube content, documenting my process and sharing what I was learning as a photographer and filmmaker. But still, it didn't look or feel like the goal I initially set out to achieve. Then, I stopped sharing as much of my photography and digital art, and started sharing more about myself; I began using the skills I'd learned from years of freelance videography. I started to feel more confident in front of camera from years of making digital art tutorials and podcast episodes. I started building a business teaching others how to build and utilize the skills I'd spent almost a decade learning. And slowly, it began to look and feel like the goal I initially set out to achieve. Now that I'm here, the journey makes sense. But for the majority of that time, It didn't make sense at all. That is exactly how your journey is going to feel. In the beginning you'll find yourself taking more sideways steps than forward ones. You'll find yourself saying yes to opportunities that don't seem at all related to where you want to go. But after years of work, all the pieces will come together. And you'll find yourself exactly where you intended to be. - @tomnoske