We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Bolton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Stability and security don’t exist. Or at least if they do they don’t lead to any kind of fulfilling lifestyle. You can have the most stable job in the world, but there is nothing guaranteeing you that you’ll be gainfully employed come Monday morning when you leave work on Friday afternoon.

That being said, I work to take calculated risks whenever I can. And to me a calculated risk is some decision you make where if it doesn’t end up working out, you’re not completely done for. There’s a way out, an escape clause.

For example, I recently moved to Alaska having never been to the state before and without knowing anyone at my new job. That’s a risk, for sure. But I know that if things don’t work out I could always return to Colorado and go back to my old job. Or find any number of other roles I could fill that would be both fulfilling and financially sound.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I try not to think much about what may or may not set me apart from other people. When I have an idea I want to run with, I go with it and give it my all.

Of course I think about how a target audience might benefit from my work, as every creative type should. But life is too short to waste time considering how any one particular project might be received. When a story or article I write feels polished enough to send out into the world, that’s when I ship it and move on to the next one.

After all, it’s not the critic who counts.

I’m most excited about the growth I want to see in my own life over the next few years. I want to build my own cabin, start doing long-distance hiking and biking trips, and start putting short stories and novels out into the world.

As far as how I’ve gotten to where I am now, I don’t know if that story would fit here. It definitely wasn’t easy, though. Nor could I have predicted how it’s all come about.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned seem to all have to do with how to use the time I’ve been given to do things that really matter to me. In the past I’ve tended to try to fit my work to someone else’s agenda. But that strategy just leads to disengagement. I’d rather do what I love and be unapologetic for it than waste time figuring out the mold I’m supposed to be filling.

I’m not sure I’m qualified to start handing out life advice, but mainly I’d just want the people who read this to know that their stories are their own. No one else can write them. And as soon as you hand that pen over to another person, you’ll start to see that the story they write for you almost surely won’t suit your best interests.

So seek out whatever higher power you feel is right for you, hold tight to that faith, and then start creating your own adventure.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
While I was in Colorado I lived in Gunnison (I moved to Alaska recently), so I didn’t spend much time in Denver besides driving through it.

So I can’t make any recommendations really. I did stop into the zoo with family, and that was a fun day for the kids.

Beyond that, I can’t say much, sorry.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family has always been the best support group for me. My parents especially deserve a huge thanks, not only for teaching me how to tie my shoes – after 29 years of practice I think I almost have it. But they also serve as coaches, therapists, teachers, consultants, cheerleaders, and disciplinarians.

I wouldn’t have had any of the career opportunities I’ve had without their support in virtually everything I’ve ever done.

Website: www.tboltcreative.com

Instagram: tim_bolton94

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/timcbolton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tim.bolton.52012?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Profile photo credit: Paige Sowards

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