Unknown, Not Unworthy: The Creative Path Without the Shortcut

 

By John Wandzilak jr

If you’re an artist, author, or creator still waiting for the world to catch on to your brilliance, congratulations—this blog is for you. You are officially in the club of “undiscovered geniuses” where dues are paid in self-doubt, endless revisions, and the occasional caffeinated breakdown at 2 a.m.

You’re not alone.

The creative world is a maze—no map, plenty of trapdoors, and absolutely no helpful elves to guide you. Just you, your vision, and a bunch of people offering free “opportunities” that somehow cost you everything.

Shortcuts Are Usually Just Loops

It’s tempting. The online guru says “just follow my 5-step system and you’ll hit six figures next month!” and suddenly you’re watching a webinar at 1 a.m. with a guy in a rented Lambo. (Spoiler: that Lambo has more mileage than his actual advice.)

The truth? If you cut corners, you’ll find yourself right back where you started—but now with less integrity and an ebook titled “Why I Failed, But It’s Society’s Fault.”

There’s no substitute for authenticity. If your work doesn’t feel like you, then who exactly are you building it for?

When the Helpers Are Hunters

Here’s a lesson I’m learning the hard way: not every smiling face is smiling for you. Recently, I joined PodMatch.com, thinking “Hey, maybe this is my moment to connect, share, grow.” And to be fair, I did start booking some shows. But the initial invitation felt a little… rehearsed. Like someone trying to sell you a “handmade” crystal that still smells like the Amazon warehouse.

I’m not saying PodMatch is a scam. It’s not. But it’s a good example of a bigger pattern: platforms that seem like lifelines, but end up being cleverly disguised piñatas—you think you’re about to get candy, but someone else is swinging the bat.

Nothing Worth Having is Free (And If It Is, Run)

I get it—we all love free stuff. But free advice, free promotion, free exposure? Nine times out of ten, they’re free because they’re empty. Or worse: because you are the product.

“Let me help you—for free!” often translates to “Let me drain your time, energy, and audience while you thank me for the privilege.”

If it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably marketing.

Stay the Course. Stay Weird. Stay You.

Look, being unknown doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It just means the algorithm hasn’t caught on to your greatness yet.

The best thing you can do? Keep showing up. Keep creating the thing only you can make. Be so relentlessly, weirdly you that the world eventually has no choice but to take notice.

Because real fans, real growth, and real impact come from the work that you lose yourself in—not the work you rush to gain someone else’s approval.

So, to my fellow unknowns: keep pushing. Keep questioning the easy roads. And if someone tries to sell you a dream, ask them if they’ve actually built one.

Then get back to building yours.