What does it really take to make a meaningful difference with your life and work?
In this conversation with David McIlroy, publisher of How to Write for a Living, Scott Perry, publisher of Creative on Purpose, shares the core idea behind his book Intrepid: Dare to Make a Difference, a book built around one central question asked 27 different ways: Do you care enough to commit? He explains that the book is for purpose-driven people who want to live a meaningful, fulfilling life on their terms but are not always sure where to begin.
Scott also unpacks what “intrepid” actually means. Not fearlessness. Not recklessness. Resoluteness. In other words, acknowledging fear, getting honest about what matters, and moving forward anyway with intention and awareness.
A major theme in this episode is the difference between motivation and commitment. Scott argues that most people do not have a motivation problem. They have a commitment problem. Instead of waiting to feel inspired, he makes the case for daily disciplined action, showing up before you feel ready, and letting behavior shape mindset rather than the other way around.
You’ll also hear why small steps are not “too little,” but the real path to meaningful progress. Big visible outcomes are usually just the final snapshot of a long series of small, quiet actions that compounded over time. Scott makes the case that the process itself becomes both the shortcut and the reward.
Toward the end of the conversation, Scott speaks to self-sabotage, identity, and why so many people get stuck before they even begin. His answer is blunt and useful: find the others. Find fellow travelers, mentors, coaches, and communities that can support the journey and help you keep going when the old story no longer fits.
And if you are wondering where to start, Scott brings it back to a handful of foundational questions: Who am I? What do I really want? What am I good at? Where do I belong? Who do I want to become? That is where the work begins.
Resources & Next Steps
Click here to get your copy of Intrepid: Dare to Make a Difference.
Get connected with Scott’s work by subscribing to the Creative on Purpose Substack:
Subscribe to the Creative on Purpose YouTube channel for more conversations about meaningful work, principled growth, and purpose-driven business.
You can also find the link to purchase Intrepid through Scott’s recent posts on Creative on Purpose. In the conversation, he notes that the paperback includes access to the ebook, audiobook, and reader’s guide.
