You're Not Stuck Because You Lack Vision, But Because There's Too Much Noise...

After mentoring 79 professional creatives from 15 different countries, I discovered something that changed everything: We're not stuck because we lack vision. We're stuck because there's too much noise covering it up.

I couldn't see this truth until the Lord pulled me out of corporate in 2024 and completely reshaped how I see success, creativity, and what it actually means to build something that matters in 2025.

The Pattern I Keep Seeing

Through ADPList.org, I mentored 79 creatives, actual professionals working in the industry. And honestly? Most of them helped me just as much as I helped them.

Here's what I kept seeing: comparison noise, trend chasing, and perfectionism.

How many times have you scrolled Instagram comparing yourself to everybody? How many YouTube videos do you have saved that just sit there, overwhelming you?

I've been there. When I feel that way now, I unfollow. Simple as that.

Guard your eyes. Guard your ears. If it doesn't bring you peace, it's not for you.

The Head Space We All Get Stuck In

Seventy-nine creative professionals, and we're all so alike, we get stuck trying to prove ourselves.

We take our boss's opinions personally when it's just their preference. We let titles define our worth. We stay loyal to humans to a fault.

I was in corporate from 2013 to 2024 when the Lord pulled me out. And I say the Lord did because if it was up to me, I'd still be there.

Here's what changed everything: "Cursed is the mind who seeks human approval." (Jeremiah 17:5)

When you read "cursed," you might think demons or headaches. But the real curse? The mental spiral. "What did I do wrong? They don't like it. They're not talking to me." That constant worry, that's the curse to your mind.

The One Question That Changes Everything

I mentored a lead designer whose creative director got let go. New leadership came in. She was questioning everything.

I told her what I wish someone had told me: It's not the job that makes you a creative. It's not the title that makes you a creative director.

She was already leading a team, making creative decisions, taking care of people. She was already a creative director. The title? Just a formality.

Then I asked her the question:

If money didn't matter, if judgment and audience weren't factors, what would you do?

Don't think about anything else. If you could wake up tomorrow doing the thing you love, what would it be?

Another creative I mentored went to college for graphic design but discovered she actually wanted to be an illustrator. Once she gave herself permission to do what she loved, everything shifted.

The Consumption Problem Nobody's Talking About

They call us consumers. Social media is a feed. We're consuming it, and it's consuming us.

When I started showing up online, everyone said "niche down." But God didn't make me to do just one thing. I have a background in magazines, editorial, graphic design, videography, photography, web design and I'm not picking just one.

It's not in me to niche down because that's not how God made me. And He probably didn't make you that way either.

What I Want You to Take Away From This

You're not alone in this.

I've been on this creative journey for 17 years. It's up and down, but if it's your true passion, you'll keep going.

Here's what built my business in 2025: I stopped the hamster wheel and started building with community.

In 2024, my business didn't do well financially. But in 2025, I 5x'd my income to what I made in corporate. Thank you, Jesus.

It was because I built with community, having real conversations, getting into groups, doing podcast interviews, going to conferences like G3. Building with community is everything. Not just posting online, but actually connecting with people.

SEO Is Still Alive

Don't let people fool you, SEO is still alive and going strong.

Every post, every Pinterest pin, every YouTube description needs to be structured so Google, and LLMs can find your content. If they have a question, your title needs to be the answer.

I'm not doing the hamster wheel. SEO is how I'm building sustainability.

What the Lord Has Been Teaching Me

If you're feeling overwhelmed, put the phone down. Read scripture. Get in the Word. Go outside. Talk to God.

Tell Him: "I'm here. Use me. These are your hands, your abilities, your skills. Show me what you want me to do."

Ask yourself: If money, audience, and judgment weren't factors, what would you make?

Journal it. Write it out. Put it on your vision board. Let that be your vision.

Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

We are not consumed.

Guard your eye gates and ear gates. If it doesn't bring you peace, it's not for you.

Thank you for being here. I hope this blessed you today. Now go create something beautiful.

Resources Mentioned:

ADPList.org - Where I mentored 79 creatives from around the world

G3 Conference - Annual conference for faith-based creatives and entrepreneurs

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23

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Let's Stay Connected

If you're a creative who's tired of the noise and ready to build what's been placed in your hands, head to candicedmadrid.com to explore resources, courses, and community built for creatives like you.

ABOUT CANDICE

Hey there, I'm Candice Madrid. I'm an award-winning designer and former corporate creative who spent way too long seeking validation from people. In 2024, the Lord pulled me out of corporate and flipped everything upside down. Now I help creatives build what's been placed in their hands, without the noise, without the comparison, and definitely without the hamster wheel.