For 10 years, I tried to fit into the corporate world. I’m a Princeton graduate and that’s what we’re supposed to do!
In 2011 I quit my job and have since been working on my own. As an Artistic, Social, and Enterprising personality type (an ASE), I have always sought work that is fulfilling creatively, socially, and financially.
Along this journey I have learned that managing yourself, staying healthy, and finding purpose is just as important – and more difficult – than making money.
I hope this site helps you navigate the roller coaster ride of working on your own. This is an unscripted career path. I don’t have all the answers. But I hope to help you find yours.
Private Email List
If you want thoughts and announcements I never post publicly, get on my private e-mail list. Please let me know the challenges you face working on your own – maybe I can help.
ASE Podcast & YouTube Channel
This show is about navigating the self-employed creative life and how to do your best work. Topics include: career and lifestyle design, embodied cognition, peak performance, and case studies of pioneers building careers at the intersection of art, social impact and entrepreneurship.
You can listen here on my site, subscribe on YouTube, or subscribe at Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Google, or copy the master RSS to paste into your favorite player.
What’s Your Perfect Day?
In 2018 I started asking friends and strangers about their perfect day.
I want to hear about what makes life worth living from all kinds of people – not just the rich, famous and powerful we idolize.
It’s my belief that intuition, outsight and reflection are at the core of any major life breakthrough (book forthcoming in 2020).
I also share concepts that have helped me live my perfect day (vacuums, acting journals, guardrails, reinterpreting, success spirals) . I hope they help you too.
Darren’s Blog
Here you can find guides, rants and randomness that don’t fit in a category.
- The Guy’s Guide to Salsa Shoes
- The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
- Living Zero Waste in Saigon
- Who Is More Important: Achiever or Believer?
- The Mathematics of Gift
- Which Gives More Security: Money or Friends?
More About Me
Contact Me
I love hearing from people, so please contact me here and introduce yourself.
Why Upstartist?
When I started this blog in 2012, my friend John thought upstartist (upstart + star + artist) captured my interests in entrepreneurship, helping people and art.
So that’s my definition of an upstartist – an ASE (Artistic – Social – Enterprising on John Holland’s 6 Personality Types), who thrives in similar environments.