A lesson I wish I learned sooner ✍️

It’s Monday, and I’m here to kickstart your week with some fresh inspiration, a big dose of creativity, and an insight that hit me hard while I was listening to one of my favorite entrepreneurship podcasts at the gym. But first - let me share the interior concept I developed just for you as part of our Design and Drawing Challenge, starting tomorrow!

>> Draw this interior with me too - get instant free access to the tutorials and join the challenge!

On the agenda for this challenge: layers and composition in detail, floor plans to scale, furniture from scratch, and integrated collage techniques. All filmed and packed into entertaining, easy-to-follow video tutorials that you can watch and pause at any time.

>> Instant access to the challenge ✍️

Alright, on to the insight from the podcast. I was listening to The Game by Alex Hormozi, specifically the episode called “5 Stages of Niche Hopping,” and holy sh**, that episode hit me. It gave me clarity - even though it was something I already knew. But here’s the thing: we all know a lot, yet for some reason, we don’t always implement that knowledge into our lives. Sometimes, it takes a moment of clarity - or desperation - for us to finally follow that piece of advice. :D

Here’s the phrase I want to share with you. Don’t analyze it, just think about whether this is something you’ve experienced:

You’re excited about the opportunity in front of you - oh my God, this is going to be amazing! It will make me so much money. But then, after that initial excitement, you reach a phase called informed pessimism. This is the stage where, armed with more information, you start to think it’s not as great as it seemed. You quit, blame a lack of talent or resources, find a shiny new object, and the cycle repeats.

That’s not a direct quote from the podcast - it’s a mix of what was said and my own experience. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been there, thinking I should be doing something else because what I’m doing doesn’t seem as glamorous as what others are doing. FOMO hits, and I get stuck in that loop.

But here’s the truth: every niche is oversaturated now. BUT - this is an important but - no niche is truly saturated as long as you stick with it, push through to phase five, and achieve success. That means enduring some really crappy, challenging situations, finding solutions, pivoting when necessary, and resisting the urge to chase after the next shiny thing. The “greener grass” only exists when you overcome the need to hop between opportunities and commit to what you’re doing.

‼️ Again: no niche is oversaturated as long as you don’t quit. Stay consistent, overcome challenges, embrace discomfort, and success will come. It takes years in the making, but when you finally do it, it’s worth it.

Now, back to design and drawing - since this newsletter is rooted in the And She Draws Big world, not business entrepreneurship (though I’m definitely passionate about those topics too!).

Here’s the connection between what I learned from the podcast and what we’re doing with digital drawing - and with the upcoming challenge I mentioned earlier: staying consistent and pushing through the tough, “informed pessimism” phases is exactly what will set you apart - not just in business or entrepreneurship, but in mastering any creative skill.

When you start drawing or designing, it feels exciting. You imagine the endless possibilities, the breathtaking work you’ll create. But then you hit a moment of struggle: the lines don’t look right, the composition feels off, or the layers get messy, and you’re left thinking, What the hell is this? 🫠

This is when the first thoughts of quitting or switching tools appear. You think, This isn’t my thing, I’m not talented enough. But here’s the truth: just like in niche-hopping, success comes to those who stick with the process long enough to master it - instead of blaming external factors.

Drawing and designing aren’t just about creating beautiful images. They’re about training your mind to see the world differently, solve problems, and create solutions out of nothing. It’s a skill that can open surprising doors - from making your home renovation dreams a reality to creating marketing campaigns or even starting a side hustle.

But all of this happens only if you push past the tough moments and stick with it.

So, as you dive into this week’s drawing challenge, remember: the process might feel uncomfortable or frustrating at times, but that’s your ticket to the breakthrough. Every great skill - and every great career - starts with consistent action, even when it feels like you’re trudging through the muck. Stick with it, keep learning, and I promise the results will be worth it.

Here’s where you can access that Design and Drawing Challenge, and I’ll see you there!

Anna at @andshedrawsbig