In this episode, I sit down with Susie deVille, author of Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free. Susie shares why the traditional advice for entrepreneurs is broken and reveals the secrets to accessing your innate creativity, finding flow, and building a wildly successful business while staying true to yourself. Learn how to embrace uncertainty, protect your creative rhythm, and unlock a path to joy, success, and freedom.
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Redefining Success: My Conversation with Suzy DeVille on Creativity, Burnout, and Building a Life That Floats
Hey everyone, Chris Beane here. If you’ve been following The Prestigious Initiative for a while, you know I’m obsessed with conversations that challenge the status quo—the kind that leave you rewiring your brain long after the episode ends. My recent chat with Suzy DeVille, author of Buoyant: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free, did exactly that.
Suzy isn’t just a creativity coach; she’s a force of nature who’s cracked the code on turning burnout into breakthroughs. Below, I’m breaking down the key insights from our discussion, sprinkled with my own reflections and actionable takeaways. Let’s get into it.
Why “Hustle Culture” Left Me (And Maybe You) Feeling Empty
Let’s start with a confession: I used to wear burnout like a badge of honor. Sound familiar? In our conversation, Suzy called out society’s obsession with grinding as “broken”—a system that leaves us feeling like “hollow husks” rather than thriving humans.
From Our Chat:“We’re taught to white-knuckle our way through life,” Suzy said. “But when I lost my home, marriage, and health, I realized hustle wasn’t the answer. I had to rebuild from inspiration, not exhaustion.”
Hearing her story hit home. As entrepreneurs, we’re conditioned to equate self-worth with productivity. But Suzy’s “nuclear winter” taught me this: Burnout isn’t inevitable—it’s a warning sign to pivot.
Finding Your Creative Sweet Spot (Mine’s 5 AM)
One of the most electrifying parts of our talk? Suzy’s concept of a “creative circadian rhythm.” She shared how her peak creativity strikes between 3–10 a.m., when her inner critic (or as she calls it, “clipboard Suzy”) is still asleep.
Suzy’s Insight:“At 3 a.m., I channel ideas that feel almost otherworldly. My brain isn’t cluttered with logistics—it’s pure intuition.”
But here’s the kicker: Your rhythm might be midnight or noon. Suzy urged listeners to “protect your creative window like a moat.” For me, that’s 5 a.m.—a time I’ve guarded fiercely since my own burnout recovery.
Try This: Track your energy for a week. When do ideas flow effortlessly? That’s your zone. Block it. Defend it.
The 5 Non-Negotiables That Changed My Daily Routine
Suzy’s “Five M’s” aren’t just tips—they’re lifelines. Here’s how I’ve integrated them:
1. Morning Pages (Even When I Hate Them)
Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, I’ve scribbled three pages of unfiltered thoughts most mornings for years. Some days it’s genius; others, it’s grocery lists. But as Suzy said: “It’s not about the product—it’s about dumping the brain’s junk.”
2. Movement = Clarity
I’ve swapped marathon workouts for 10-minute walks with a pocket notebook. Suzy’s right: “Movement unlocks ideas hiding in the ‘back of mind.’” Last week, I cracked a business problem mid-stroll.
3. Meditation (For the Restless)
I used to think meditation required Himalayan silence. Now? Five minutes in my office chair works. “It’s not about emptying your mind,” Suzy laughed. “Just sit. Breathe. Let the chaos float by.”
4. Moments of Learning (Fuel for the Soul)
Every morning, I jot a quote in my journal—a habit Suzy swears by. Recently, a Rumi line (“What you seek is seeking you”) sparked a podcast episode idea. Magic.
5. Make Something (Yes, You)
Confession: I’m a recovering perfectionist. Suzy’s “collage hack” (collect inspiring scraps, glue them down) felt silly… until it didn’t. “Creating without pressure reignites play,” she said. Now, my office wall’s covered in chaotic collages—and my creativity’s never been sharper.
Why Leaning Into Uncertainty Saved My Business
Suzy and I geeked out on Joseph Campbell’s “dragon” metaphor—the idea that facing fear is where growth happens. For years, I avoided hiring a team, terrified of losing control. Then I hit a breaking point.
Suzy’s Push:“Uncertainty is where courage muscles grow. Start small: hold your breath, tackle a task you’ve avoided. Each ‘at-bat’ builds self-trust.”
So I hired my first assistant. It was messy. Liberating. And it taught me: The dragons we avoid are the ones holding our gold.
Final Takeaway: Swap Time Management for Energy Management
Suzy left me with a mantra I’ve scribbled everywhere: “Stop counting hours. Start counting energy.”
Ask yourself:
- What drains me? (For me: endless Zoom calls)
- What fills me? (Writing at 5 a.m., collages, walks)
Align your day with the latter, and watch serendipity kick in.
Your Next Steps:
- Grab Suzy’s book Buoyant and try her free toolkit.
- Share your biggest takeaway on social media—tag @PrestigiousPod and let’s keep the conversation going.
- Protect your creative window this week. Reply to this email and tell me how it goes.
Stay relentless, stay curious, and as always—stay prestigious.
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