Jeff Lanctot
@jaylance.com
I help ✨creative folks✨ get started, grow, and dodge burnout so they can have lasting impact with the work they make 🤩 15+ years leading & coaching.
You’ve done the work. You’ve created the thing.
So… why aren’t they coming back?
👀 The real reason might surprise you: shorturl.at/AKl3Q
So… why aren’t they coming back?
👀 The real reason might surprise you: shorturl.at/AKl3Q
What No One Tells You About "Making It" As A Creative Professional
Nailing the work is just step one. Here’s what actually moves the needle.
realjaylance.substack.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
You’ve done the work. You’ve created the thing.
So… why aren’t they coming back?
👀 The real reason might surprise you: shorturl.at/AKl3Q
So… why aren’t they coming back?
👀 The real reason might surprise you: shorturl.at/AKl3Q
Professional Creatives Ship. Amateur Creatives make excuses for why they didn’t ship.
Here's how to make sure you ship...
substack.com/@realjaylan...
Here's how to make sure you ship...
substack.com/@realjaylan...
This ONE Thing Will Determine Whether You Finish Your Project
This WILL Make The Difference Between Stuck and Shipped!
substack.com
May 28, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Professional Creatives Ship. Amateur Creatives make excuses for why they didn’t ship.
Here's how to make sure you ship...
substack.com/@realjaylan...
Here's how to make sure you ship...
substack.com/@realjaylan...
5 simple* reasons your company is struggling:
1. You create your Marketing materials as though YOU are your target market.
⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️
1. You create your Marketing materials as though YOU are your target market.
⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️
a man is driving a small yellow vehicle in a tunnel with the words all aboard the struggle bus below him .
ALT: a man is driving a small yellow vehicle in a tunnel with the words all aboard the struggle bus below him .
media.tenor.com
May 2, 2025 at 4:58 PM
5 simple* reasons your company is struggling:
1. You create your Marketing materials as though YOU are your target market.
⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️
1. You create your Marketing materials as though YOU are your target market.
⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️⤵️
Your problem isn't creative block.
It's that you're unwilling to stay in discomfort as you work through all those bad ideas to start finding the good ones.
Seriously, try ACTUALLY MAKING every crappy thing that comes to mind and you'll be amazed how many good ideas show up!
It's that you're unwilling to stay in discomfort as you work through all those bad ideas to start finding the good ones.
Seriously, try ACTUALLY MAKING every crappy thing that comes to mind and you'll be amazed how many good ideas show up!
January 19, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Your problem isn't creative block.
It's that you're unwilling to stay in discomfort as you work through all those bad ideas to start finding the good ones.
Seriously, try ACTUALLY MAKING every crappy thing that comes to mind and you'll be amazed how many good ideas show up!
It's that you're unwilling to stay in discomfort as you work through all those bad ideas to start finding the good ones.
Seriously, try ACTUALLY MAKING every crappy thing that comes to mind and you'll be amazed how many good ideas show up!
The internet is flooded with countless answers. That's why I ask myself this:
"Is this THE answer, or just AN answer?"
More often than not, it's merely AN ANSWER. Knowing that makes it 1,000% easier to tackle the crucial question:
"Does this answer actually work for me?"
"Is this THE answer, or just AN answer?"
More often than not, it's merely AN ANSWER. Knowing that makes it 1,000% easier to tackle the crucial question:
"Does this answer actually work for me?"
January 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The internet is flooded with countless answers. That's why I ask myself this:
"Is this THE answer, or just AN answer?"
More often than not, it's merely AN ANSWER. Knowing that makes it 1,000% easier to tackle the crucial question:
"Does this answer actually work for me?"
"Is this THE answer, or just AN answer?"
More often than not, it's merely AN ANSWER. Knowing that makes it 1,000% easier to tackle the crucial question:
"Does this answer actually work for me?"
You're making it more difficult than it needs to be.
It's an almost universal truth that Creative Professionals tend to make what they're working on WAY more complicated than it needs to be.
Ask the question below (made famous by Tim Ferriss) and then...
Do that instead!
It's an almost universal truth that Creative Professionals tend to make what they're working on WAY more complicated than it needs to be.
Ask the question below (made famous by Tim Ferriss) and then...
Do that instead!
January 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM
You're making it more difficult than it needs to be.
It's an almost universal truth that Creative Professionals tend to make what they're working on WAY more complicated than it needs to be.
Ask the question below (made famous by Tim Ferriss) and then...
Do that instead!
It's an almost universal truth that Creative Professionals tend to make what they're working on WAY more complicated than it needs to be.
Ask the question below (made famous by Tim Ferriss) and then...
Do that instead!
Nobody can MAKE you get started.
All the tips and tricks and guides and coaching and accountability won't get you there if you don't. Just. Start.
Where you're at. With what you have. Right now. Even if you're not ready. ESPECIALLY if you're not ready.
Don't wait. Just start.
All the tips and tricks and guides and coaching and accountability won't get you there if you don't. Just. Start.
Where you're at. With what you have. Right now. Even if you're not ready. ESPECIALLY if you're not ready.
Don't wait. Just start.
January 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Nobody can MAKE you get started.
All the tips and tricks and guides and coaching and accountability won't get you there if you don't. Just. Start.
Where you're at. With what you have. Right now. Even if you're not ready. ESPECIALLY if you're not ready.
Don't wait. Just start.
All the tips and tricks and guides and coaching and accountability won't get you there if you don't. Just. Start.
Where you're at. With what you have. Right now. Even if you're not ready. ESPECIALLY if you're not ready.
Don't wait. Just start.
As a creator, your BEST work will be...
A mashup of who you are, plus a handful of things that deeply resonate with YOU. That’s your "secret sauce!"
That’s the thing that can’t be copied or imitated. THAT is the “perfect union of contrary things” that makes you a category of 1.
A mashup of who you are, plus a handful of things that deeply resonate with YOU. That’s your "secret sauce!"
That’s the thing that can’t be copied or imitated. THAT is the “perfect union of contrary things” that makes you a category of 1.
January 15, 2025 at 3:00 AM
As a creator, your BEST work will be...
A mashup of who you are, plus a handful of things that deeply resonate with YOU. That’s your "secret sauce!"
That’s the thing that can’t be copied or imitated. THAT is the “perfect union of contrary things” that makes you a category of 1.
A mashup of who you are, plus a handful of things that deeply resonate with YOU. That’s your "secret sauce!"
That’s the thing that can’t be copied or imitated. THAT is the “perfect union of contrary things” that makes you a category of 1.
Trying to make it perfect is a trap!
I've worked with some very well-known makers and creators over the years... One thing I've heard over and over from them is:
"If I'd known it was going to become THIS well known, I would have done a better job making it."
The truth is:
I've worked with some very well-known makers and creators over the years... One thing I've heard over and over from them is:
"If I'd known it was going to become THIS well known, I would have done a better job making it."
The truth is:
January 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Trying to make it perfect is a trap!
I've worked with some very well-known makers and creators over the years... One thing I've heard over and over from them is:
"If I'd known it was going to become THIS well known, I would have done a better job making it."
The truth is:
I've worked with some very well-known makers and creators over the years... One thing I've heard over and over from them is:
"If I'd known it was going to become THIS well known, I would have done a better job making it."
The truth is:
Smart creatives know that you must schedule regular, purposeful rest into your life, or eventually you will experience crippling health problems and burnout.
You cannot "hustle culture" past this truth: rest on your terms, or be forced to rest anyway.
There is no third option.
You cannot "hustle culture" past this truth: rest on your terms, or be forced to rest anyway.
There is no third option.
January 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Smart creatives know that you must schedule regular, purposeful rest into your life, or eventually you will experience crippling health problems and burnout.
You cannot "hustle culture" past this truth: rest on your terms, or be forced to rest anyway.
There is no third option.
You cannot "hustle culture" past this truth: rest on your terms, or be forced to rest anyway.
There is no third option.
Sometimes when the "season" of a job, project, or relationship is up, we're not quite ready to let go.
No matter how difficult, do the work to let it go anyway- as quickly as possible.
Clinging to that which is, in fact, already gone can only damage the legacy of what it was.
No matter how difficult, do the work to let it go anyway- as quickly as possible.
Clinging to that which is, in fact, already gone can only damage the legacy of what it was.
January 12, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Sometimes when the "season" of a job, project, or relationship is up, we're not quite ready to let go.
No matter how difficult, do the work to let it go anyway- as quickly as possible.
Clinging to that which is, in fact, already gone can only damage the legacy of what it was.
No matter how difficult, do the work to let it go anyway- as quickly as possible.
Clinging to that which is, in fact, already gone can only damage the legacy of what it was.
"Putting in the work" can be like going on a really long hike:
You don't always know exactly what obstacles you're going to find, but you DO know parts of it are going to be hard- and not all of it will be super fun.
But... If you don't actually go, your view will never change.
You don't always know exactly what obstacles you're going to find, but you DO know parts of it are going to be hard- and not all of it will be super fun.
But... If you don't actually go, your view will never change.
January 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"Putting in the work" can be like going on a really long hike:
You don't always know exactly what obstacles you're going to find, but you DO know parts of it are going to be hard- and not all of it will be super fun.
But... If you don't actually go, your view will never change.
You don't always know exactly what obstacles you're going to find, but you DO know parts of it are going to be hard- and not all of it will be super fun.
But... If you don't actually go, your view will never change.
Reminder: you're a HUMAN, not a freakin' robot! 🤖
Optimizing and efficiency are good habits, but... It's EQUALLY important to build "fudge factor" into life.
You're not doing anyone any good if you've burned out 'cause you tried to squash your humanity with rigid discipline.
Optimizing and efficiency are good habits, but... It's EQUALLY important to build "fudge factor" into life.
You're not doing anyone any good if you've burned out 'cause you tried to squash your humanity with rigid discipline.
January 10, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Reminder: you're a HUMAN, not a freakin' robot! 🤖
Optimizing and efficiency are good habits, but... It's EQUALLY important to build "fudge factor" into life.
You're not doing anyone any good if you've burned out 'cause you tried to squash your humanity with rigid discipline.
Optimizing and efficiency are good habits, but... It's EQUALLY important to build "fudge factor" into life.
You're not doing anyone any good if you've burned out 'cause you tried to squash your humanity with rigid discipline.
In my work I get pitched HUNDREDS of times a month by folks trying to get me to buy their product or service.
I can count on ONE HAND the number of pitches that have caught my attention over the years.
Here's what they had, that you're probably missing:
I can count on ONE HAND the number of pitches that have caught my attention over the years.
Here's what they had, that you're probably missing:
January 8, 2025 at 6:55 PM
In my work I get pitched HUNDREDS of times a month by folks trying to get me to buy their product or service.
I can count on ONE HAND the number of pitches that have caught my attention over the years.
Here's what they had, that you're probably missing:
I can count on ONE HAND the number of pitches that have caught my attention over the years.
Here's what they had, that you're probably missing:
None of us are saying things that have never been said before... But that's not discouragement- it's permission!
Permission to share it YOUR way. Through YOUR lens. With YOUR experience.
Your people will identify as much with YOU as they will with the message you're sharing...
Permission to share it YOUR way. Through YOUR lens. With YOUR experience.
Your people will identify as much with YOU as they will with the message you're sharing...
January 8, 2025 at 4:04 AM
None of us are saying things that have never been said before... But that's not discouragement- it's permission!
Permission to share it YOUR way. Through YOUR lens. With YOUR experience.
Your people will identify as much with YOU as they will with the message you're sharing...
Permission to share it YOUR way. Through YOUR lens. With YOUR experience.
Your people will identify as much with YOU as they will with the message you're sharing...
I was well into adulthood before I realized I didn't need authorization to just BE whatever I wanted to be.
Look, unless you can kill someone by doing it wrong (surgeon, bridge builder, explosives expert, etc.) you don't NEED anyone's permission!
Own it. Get to work, and BE it!
Look, unless you can kill someone by doing it wrong (surgeon, bridge builder, explosives expert, etc.) you don't NEED anyone's permission!
Own it. Get to work, and BE it!
January 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
I was well into adulthood before I realized I didn't need authorization to just BE whatever I wanted to be.
Look, unless you can kill someone by doing it wrong (surgeon, bridge builder, explosives expert, etc.) you don't NEED anyone's permission!
Own it. Get to work, and BE it!
Look, unless you can kill someone by doing it wrong (surgeon, bridge builder, explosives expert, etc.) you don't NEED anyone's permission!
Own it. Get to work, and BE it!
The idea that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is crap.
If you want to make a change, it's not enough to just work on it occasionally, or when you "feel" like it...
It's so simple- but that doesn't mean it's easy. Consistency really IS king.
If you want to make a change, it's not enough to just work on it occasionally, or when you "feel" like it...
It's so simple- but that doesn't mean it's easy. Consistency really IS king.
January 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The idea that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is crap.
If you want to make a change, it's not enough to just work on it occasionally, or when you "feel" like it...
It's so simple- but that doesn't mean it's easy. Consistency really IS king.
If you want to make a change, it's not enough to just work on it occasionally, or when you "feel" like it...
It's so simple- but that doesn't mean it's easy. Consistency really IS king.
The best coaches NEVER “give advice.”
Which is what a lot of folks THINK they want when they hire a coach. Instead, great coaches ask the right questions, coax out answers, and help transform those answers to ACTION.
THAT is what helps clients get the results they are after.
Which is what a lot of folks THINK they want when they hire a coach. Instead, great coaches ask the right questions, coax out answers, and help transform those answers to ACTION.
THAT is what helps clients get the results they are after.
January 5, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The best coaches NEVER “give advice.”
Which is what a lot of folks THINK they want when they hire a coach. Instead, great coaches ask the right questions, coax out answers, and help transform those answers to ACTION.
THAT is what helps clients get the results they are after.
Which is what a lot of folks THINK they want when they hire a coach. Instead, great coaches ask the right questions, coax out answers, and help transform those answers to ACTION.
THAT is what helps clients get the results they are after.
A thought I recently had about a lot of the "pitch tweets" I see all over Twitter (or X, or whatever we're calling it now)...
If it took you <a long time> to learn, but you can teach me the "secret" in 5 minutes...
You're not delivering the value you think you are. 🤷
If it took you <a long time> to learn, but you can teach me the "secret" in 5 minutes...
You're not delivering the value you think you are. 🤷
January 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
A thought I recently had about a lot of the "pitch tweets" I see all over Twitter (or X, or whatever we're calling it now)...
If it took you <a long time> to learn, but you can teach me the "secret" in 5 minutes...
You're not delivering the value you think you are. 🤷
If it took you <a long time> to learn, but you can teach me the "secret" in 5 minutes...
You're not delivering the value you think you are. 🤷
"The Grind" is a lie.
If you had half as much time to work, what in your process would you drop immediately in order to get the REAL work done?
Trim that stuff out right NOW, and use the time you save to take a walk... Or garden... Or rest... Or play with your kids... Or...
If you had half as much time to work, what in your process would you drop immediately in order to get the REAL work done?
Trim that stuff out right NOW, and use the time you save to take a walk... Or garden... Or rest... Or play with your kids... Or...
January 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
"The Grind" is a lie.
If you had half as much time to work, what in your process would you drop immediately in order to get the REAL work done?
Trim that stuff out right NOW, and use the time you save to take a walk... Or garden... Or rest... Or play with your kids... Or...
If you had half as much time to work, what in your process would you drop immediately in order to get the REAL work done?
Trim that stuff out right NOW, and use the time you save to take a walk... Or garden... Or rest... Or play with your kids... Or...
The Coercion Business is why many people hate salespeople and marketers.
Truth is: if a business demands rapid short-term profit over making work that matters, the ONLY solution is Coercion.
You can make a pretty good living in Coercion, but you CAN'T make work that matters.
Truth is: if a business demands rapid short-term profit over making work that matters, the ONLY solution is Coercion.
You can make a pretty good living in Coercion, but you CAN'T make work that matters.
January 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Coercion Business is why many people hate salespeople and marketers.
Truth is: if a business demands rapid short-term profit over making work that matters, the ONLY solution is Coercion.
You can make a pretty good living in Coercion, but you CAN'T make work that matters.
Truth is: if a business demands rapid short-term profit over making work that matters, the ONLY solution is Coercion.
You can make a pretty good living in Coercion, but you CAN'T make work that matters.
My younger self used to be so afraid of failing I wouldn't even TRY anything new unless I could be sure of the outcome.
So I didn't do much.
Your ego will happily convince you to sit out of your own life rather than risk being seen as a failure.
Don't let your ego lead.
So I didn't do much.
Your ego will happily convince you to sit out of your own life rather than risk being seen as a failure.
Don't let your ego lead.
January 1, 2025 at 3:00 AM
My younger self used to be so afraid of failing I wouldn't even TRY anything new unless I could be sure of the outcome.
So I didn't do much.
Your ego will happily convince you to sit out of your own life rather than risk being seen as a failure.
Don't let your ego lead.
So I didn't do much.
Your ego will happily convince you to sit out of your own life rather than risk being seen as a failure.
Don't let your ego lead.
Stop looking for validation from gatekeepers. Their only job is to KEEP YOU OUT.
Do you...
Make music? You're a musician.
Write? You're a writer.
Make films? You're a filmmaker.
While you're waiting on gatekeepers, someone else is becoming successful by just DOING the work.
Do you...
Make music? You're a musician.
Write? You're a writer.
Make films? You're a filmmaker.
While you're waiting on gatekeepers, someone else is becoming successful by just DOING the work.
December 30, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Stop looking for validation from gatekeepers. Their only job is to KEEP YOU OUT.
Do you...
Make music? You're a musician.
Write? You're a writer.
Make films? You're a filmmaker.
While you're waiting on gatekeepers, someone else is becoming successful by just DOING the work.
Do you...
Make music? You're a musician.
Write? You're a writer.
Make films? You're a filmmaker.
While you're waiting on gatekeepers, someone else is becoming successful by just DOING the work.
Tough Pill: want to get paid to teach or coach for a living?
You need to be able to DO the thing you want to be hired for at a HIGH LEVEL!
You will find more success if you devote at least a year to actually "doing the thing" at the highest level you possibly can FIRST.
You need to be able to DO the thing you want to be hired for at a HIGH LEVEL!
You will find more success if you devote at least a year to actually "doing the thing" at the highest level you possibly can FIRST.
December 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Tough Pill: want to get paid to teach or coach for a living?
You need to be able to DO the thing you want to be hired for at a HIGH LEVEL!
You will find more success if you devote at least a year to actually "doing the thing" at the highest level you possibly can FIRST.
You need to be able to DO the thing you want to be hired for at a HIGH LEVEL!
You will find more success if you devote at least a year to actually "doing the thing" at the highest level you possibly can FIRST.
Honestly, I hate that this works so well...
If you want to change a habit, start something new, or build a skill, a great method for making it stick is:
Put skin in the game. Spend $$$ on a coach or a course. Tell your friends. Do SOMETHING public for when you want to quit.
If you want to change a habit, start something new, or build a skill, a great method for making it stick is:
Put skin in the game. Spend $$$ on a coach or a course. Tell your friends. Do SOMETHING public for when you want to quit.
December 29, 2024 at 1:00 AM
Honestly, I hate that this works so well...
If you want to change a habit, start something new, or build a skill, a great method for making it stick is:
Put skin in the game. Spend $$$ on a coach or a course. Tell your friends. Do SOMETHING public for when you want to quit.
If you want to change a habit, start something new, or build a skill, a great method for making it stick is:
Put skin in the game. Spend $$$ on a coach or a course. Tell your friends. Do SOMETHING public for when you want to quit.