At eleven, I made the mistake of telling my dad I wanted to be an artist. His response? "You're going to starve. Artists make money after they're dead."
That single sentence became my invisible cage for years.
Here's the twisted irony: I discovered later that my grandfather—my dad's own father—was a successful photographer and artist. But somewhere along the way, that limiting belief got passed down like a family curse, generation after generation.
Sound familiar?
Maybe your version was "Be realistic," "Get a real job," or "Stop dreaming and face reality." Different words, same prison.
The Fear That Keeps You Frozen
Expert psychologist Ruth Soukup has spent years studying what keeps people trapped, and her research mirrors what I discovered the hard way: fear doesn't just whisper—it screams. It tells you you're not talented enough, smart enough, or worthy enough. It convinces you that failure equals embarrassment, that you're too old or too young, that people will judge you, that you don't have the right connections or resources.
But here's what both science and my own breakthrough taught me...
When Passion Meets Psychology
Instead of accepting that family curse, I did something rebellious: I went to school for graphic design, invested in art marketing programs, and dove headfirst into direct response marketing. I was determined to prove that artists don't have to starve.
In 2016, I took everything I'd learned about conquering fear and created my first experimental abstract piece called "Anticipate." That piece won 3rd place in an International Juried Art Competition.
But the real victory wasn't the award—it was understanding how fear actually works and how to work with it instead of against it.
The Science Behind Breaking Free
Ruth Soukup's research reveals that conquering fear isn't about becoming fearless (that's impossible). It's about understanding that fear is just information—not instruction. When we stop trying to suppress or avoid our fears and instead acknowledge them, we can start to challenge the negative thoughts that keep us stuck.
What I discovered through my own journey aligns perfectly with her findings: gradual exposure works. You don't have to leap off the cliff—you can take small, manageable steps toward what scares you most. Each step builds confidence and proves to your brain that you're more capable than your fear wants you to believe.
The breakthrough happens when you realize that the voice telling you "you can't" isn't your voice at all—it's an inherited limitation that was never yours to carry.
Time: Your Most Creative Resource
As an artist, musician, and grower, I've learned that both success AND failure cost us our most precious resource: TIME. The real question isn't whether we'll succeed or fail—it's whether we're using our time creatively enough to build the life we're truly meant for.
The people who break through aren't the ones without fear—they're the ones who've learned to spot the best opportunities despite their fear, balance passion with sanity, and cultivate true creative freedom.
Your Breakthrough Moment Awaits
If you're tired of starting and stopping projects because of self-doubt... if you're paralyzed by fear and not taking action toward your dreams... if you're stuck in a job or situation you hate but too scared to make a change... if you know what you want but feel overwhelmed about how to get there...
You don't have to figure this out alone.
I specialize in helping people identify their specific blocks in real-time—the inherited limitations, the fear-based thoughts, and the invisible barriers that keep them stuck. In just 10-20 minutes, we can uncover what's really holding you back and give you a clear path forward.
Because when we help ourselves break free, we can help others do the same.
What's one creative risk you've been waiting to take?
The answer to that question might be closer than you think.
[Break Through Your Blocks - Free Call ]
Don't let someone else's limitations become your life sentence. Your breakthrough is waiting.
Mahalo and Aloha 🤙🏽
About the Author: Ðean is a multi-disciplinary creative professional who combines artistry with automated business systems. After overcoming significant personal and financial setbacks, he now helps other creative professionals build stable income streams that provide time freedom for their passions. His approach combines the Hawaiian principles of Kokua (helping others) and Ohana (family) with proven direct response marketing strategies.
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