Embrace Your Unique Journey: Cody Wanner on ADHD, Authenticity, and Creative Success
In this insightful Cody Wanner Podcast, he shares his personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfections.
He discusses how the pressure to be perfect can stifle creativity and hinder progress. By allowing oneself to be imperfect and even laugh at mistakes, Cody believes individuals can unlock greater creative potential and find more joy in their work. This lesson is especially pertinent in today's highly polished social media landscape, where perfection often seems to be an unrealistic goal.
Don’t Give Up
Cody's journey underscores the significance of persistence.
He recounts how his initial videos were far from perfect, yet he continued to create, learn, and improve. Cody made over a hundred videos before he felt confident in the goal. This perseverance is a crucial takeaway for anyone aspiring to succeed in content creation or any other field.
The key is to keep producing and iterating, understanding that each attempt is a step towards improvement. Cody's story is a testament to the power of showing up consistently, despite the inevitable imperfections and setbacks.
Be Yourself
Staying true to your values in life overall is something Cody does really well. This theme of authenticity is clear across all of his content and Cody's overall story.
Developing a genuine presence on camera was a process that took him a long time to feel comfortable with. But now it’s definitely, definitely a strong suit. He explains that this authenticity resonates with audiences and builds a deeper connection. Cody's experience highlights that finding one's true voice is a journey that requires time, patience, and a lot of practice.
It’s about being real and relatable, rather than striving for saying some sort of script. This might be the biggest creator misconception. It doesn’t matter how many people consume your work. It doesn’t matter how polished it is. What matters most is how well you connect with the audience.
No Excuses
Cody also opens up about his ADHD diagnosis and how it has influenced his life and work.
By embracing ADHD, figuring out more of what it means in his specific case and coming up with ways to channel it into a positive, Cody better understands how to leverage his unique strengths. Working within his constraints, with his capabilities can actually keep him in his zone of genius.
This acceptance has allowed him to create in a way that feels natural and fulfilling. His story is a powerful reminder that understanding and working with one's inherent traits, rather than against them, can lead to greater productivity and satisfaction.
Building Community Is An Infinite Game
Lastly, the conversation touches on the importance of community and support.
Being a creator can be super lonely. It can also feel like pushing a massive boulder up a hill. The goal is to eventually hit a tipping point so it rolls down with momentum. But on the way up it can be a grind. Leaning into your community (even if it’s your first two subscribers) can help build momentum quicker and the trust can grow forever.
Cody also talks about the value of having mentors and a supportive network, which can provide guidance, encouragement, and opportunities for growth.
Building and nurturing your relationships with mentors, collaborators, audience and customers can be a game-changer in your creative and professional journey. Cody’s insights remind us that we are not alone in our struggles and aspirations, and seeking out a supportive community can make all the difference.
Practical Tips for Aspiring Creators
- Embrace Imperfection: Cody highlights the importance of not taking life too seriously and allowing oneself to be imperfect. This mindset leads to greater creativity and satisfaction in one's work.
- Persistence Pays Off: Success on platforms like YouTube often comes down to persistence. Cody emphasizes the need to keep creating and iterating, even when initial efforts seem subpar.
- Authenticity on Camera: Developing a genuine presence on camera takes time and practice. Cody shares his journey of making over 100 videos before feeling truly authentic.
- Understanding ADHD: Cody discusses his diagnosis of ADHD and how it has shaped his approach to work and creativity. Embracing his ADHD has allowed him to work with his unique strengths.
- Leveraging Your Strengths: Identifying and focusing on your strengths, rather than conforming to traditional expectations, can lead to greater personal and professional fulfillment.
- Community and Support: Building a supportive network and finding mentors can significantly impact your creative journey. Cody shares how these relationships have helped him thrive.
Memorable Quotes
“I love the idea of just making people smile.”
“When I’m told to do something, there is a part of me, sometimes a big part of me, sometimes a little part of me, that wants to do the exact opposite.”
“At the end of the day, getting stuff out there is more important than any of the other stuff.”
“I made 114 videos on my vlog channel until I started to feel like it was clicking.”
Guest Bio
Cody Wanner is dedicated to encouraging the doers and spreading the #NoSmallCreator mindset.
He began his journey with a daily vlog, starting with just 111 subscribers and vlogging every day for a full year. Cody's channel is all about offering encouragement and motivation to fellow creators. With a BA in Communication (Concentration in Film) he co-founded Cap Collective Video Production and has since become a prominent voice in the creator community.
As the founder of #NoSmallCreator and a YouTube Creator on the rise, Cody has shared his insights at VidSummit, Power of Video, and Social Media Marketing World.
Subscribe to his channel and follow him on socials for tips and motivation.
Follow Cody
Website - CodyWanner.com
X - @codywanner
Instagram - @codywanner
YouTube - Youtube@RCodyWanner
I'm so happy you found this podcast. I am here to serve you, the creative solopreneur & aspiring content creator to get clarity on how to create content, teaching, build a business and design the life of your dreams without burning out in the online learning, creator economy.
Want to get every single secret, tip, or idea I learn about channelling our emotions into success in this new creator economy, be sure to subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.justkeeplearning.ca/main
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