What a Rock Star Taught Me About Growth (And 3 Lessons I Didn’t Expect)

The Cool, Collected, and Creative Opposite of Me

I’ve always been a planner. The kind of person who needs a strategy before making a move—structured creativity, intentional action, calculated risks.

Then there’s Clint Kelly.

He is a young musician, lyricist, and creative mind who just gets the art of trusting the process. He’s the kind of guy who carries a notebook everywhere, laughs when he stumbles (literally), and embraces the messy middle of growth.

He’s the opposite of me in the best ways possible.

• Where I overthink, he trusts the process.

• Where I strive for structure, he embraces flow.

• While I’m busy mapping out my next move, he is writing lyrics in a tattered notebook, letting creativity happen.

No pressure, no perfectionism, just pure expression.

And here’s the wild part: watching him operate in that go-with-the-flow energy has taught me more about growth than any productivity book ever could. Because creativity is messy. Growth is even messier. And Clint Kelly… well, he’s mastered the art of making both look effortless.

Here are three lessons he’s taught me that I never saw coming.

Lesson #1: Progress Is Messy, and That’s the Point

I once saw Clint Kelly walk into a wall. Literally. He wasn’t even fazed—he just laughed, adjusted course, and kept going.

That’s his entire approach to life and creativity. He doesn’t let missteps stop him. He doesn’t obsess over making things “perfect” before sharing them. He writes, he plays, he creates—without overanalyzing.

What This Taught Me:

As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve spent way too much time waiting for the “right” moment to start something. But watching Clint Kelly taught me that progress doesn’t wait for perfection.

If you’re constantly editing your own work before you even create it, you’ll never get anywhere.

✅ Write the thing.
✅ Start the project.
✅ Mess up. Adjust. Keep going.

Creativity—and life—works best when you stumble forward, not stand still.

Lesson #2: Carry a Notebook (and a "Capture the Moment" Mentality)

Clint is never without his notebook. While most people take notes on their phones, he goes old-school by jotting down ideas, lyrics, and random thoughts wherever he is.

And I love that.

What This Taught Me:

Growth doesn’t just happen in big, breakthrough moments. It happens in the tiny, everyday ideas we collect. The ones we usually forget because we’re too busy or distracted.

Having a “capture the moment” mentality (whether through journaling, voice memos, or sketching) keeps creativity alive.

• That idea you scribbled down in traffic could turn into something amazing.

• That offhand thought you wrote at 2 a.m. might be the start of your next breakthrough.

Inspiration is everywhere. But only if you’re paying attention.

Lesson #3: Lead With Heart, Not Just Hustle

The music industry isn’t exactly an easy path, but Clint Kelly isn’t in it for the grind. He’s in it for the love of creating, connecting, and making something that means something to people.

When he’s making music, he feels it, pours into it, and lets it be an extension of who he is. And you can tell.

What This Taught Me:

Success isn’t about checking off boxes or out-hustling everyone. It’s about leading with heart.

• If you’re not connected to what you’re creating, it will feel empty.

• If you’re constantly forcing productivity, you’ll burn out.

• If you’re focused on the end result instead of the love of the process, you’ll never fully enjoy the journey.

✅ Prioritize passion over pressure.
✅ Stay connected to your purpose.
✅ Let your why drive you, not just the deadlines.

At the end of the day, heart beats hustle.

Every time.

How You Can Apply These Lessons

You don’t have to be a musician or a free spirit to embrace these lessons. You just have to be willing to let go of perfection, pay attention to the moments that matter, and create from a place of love (not pressure).

So the next time you feel stuck, overthink a decision, or question your next move, ask yourself:

👉 Am I waiting for perfection instead of taking action?
👉 Am I capturing ideas, or letting them pass me by?
👉 Am I leading with heart, or just checking off boxes?

And if you’re still unsure, take a page from Clint Kelly’s notebook (literally)—just create, just move, just trust. The rest will fall into place.

Break first. Bloom later. Create freely.

🌿 Kris