A Pioneer's Journey: Finding My Passion and Purpose in 360°

A Pioneer's Journey: Finding My Passion and Purpose in 360°

My Journey to Find Passion and Purpose

Have you ever felt a pull toward something, a dream that felt both exciting and impossible? That's how my journey into the world of 360° video began. This post is the story of that journey—of being a pioneer in a new medium, of hitting frustrating walls and facing constant challenges, but also of feeling like I was getting a little help from above to chase this dream. For a video contest, I decided to tell this story, packing it with some of my favorite shots and pouring my heart out. It's a story of finding my passion and purpose, and I hope it can help you on your own journey.

The Golden Nugget 🌟

Don't Miss This: The key to overcoming creative roadblocks is to redefine your goals. As I learned from 'The Fearless Mind', I started making small, 1-4 week goals focused on my own skills, not on external validation like views or likes. This was a game-changer for my mindset and my joy in the process.

STEP INTO MY JOURNEY

This video is packed with some of my favorite shots and moments, and it tells the true story of my journey in this 360° world. Grab your VR headset and transport yourself into this gorgeous journey with me that is sure to make you smile and give your day a positive boost.

"...I am sure I will be Canceled someday for sharing my positive message, but don't care. I would rather please The One Above then worry about pleasing them."

Adventure at a Glance

• 🏞️ The Journey: The life of a VR 360 Creator
• 🚶‍♀️ Activity: Overcoming creative and technical challenges
• ⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
• ☀️ Best For: Aspiring creators, anyone chasing a dream, finding motivation.
• ⏳ Recommended Time: A lifetime of learning and growing!
• 🧭 Key Lessons: Goal setting, authenticity, perseverance, faith.

Lessons From My Journey

Finding a passion and purpose has so many benefits—it can help push away depression and give you a drive that makes life exciting. I'm still learning, but inspired by Craig Manning's book 'The Fearless Mind,' here are the 4 steps I try to follow.

1. Listen for the Spark

If you don’t have a passion yet, just keep learning and listening for that thing that sparks your interest. Be open and curious.

2. Put in the Work

Once you find that spark, put the work into learning all you can. Pay attention to the details and commit to mastering your craft.

3. Make SMART Goals

Make small goals that are about one month out. Make sure they push you to improve your skills but are NOT tied to social media or other people's approval.

4. Have a Power Statement

Doubts will come. Be ready with a 3-word power statement to deflect them. Mine is simple: "You Got This!" Record your successes and use them to build your confidence.

A Pioneer's Pitfalls: Advice for 360 Creators

Most people think creating VR content is easy, but being on the front end of this technology has been rough. Here are some of the walls I hit, in case my story can help you avoid them.

• ♦️ Corporate Giants: Working with mega-corporations like Google and Meta can be frustrating. Rules can change without notice, and getting clear feedback is nearly impossible. My Google Maps account was shut down without explanation after they had just invited me to their headquarters. It taught me the importance of owning my content on platforms I control.
• ♦️ The Oculus Launch Program: This program pushed me to learn new skills in Adobe After Effects, but it also cost me almost a year of my life, pushing me to build an app in Unreal Engine with 360 video—something they knew didn't work well on the Quest. It was a relief when they finally changed the rules, and I could walk away knowing I gave it 150%.
• ♦️ The Motion Sickness Barrier: It took me a while to accept, but motion and 360 videography are not a good mix. I am now obsessed with being super careful with motion and using a tripod. It's a make-or-break factor for viewer comfort.

Conclusion

My mindset changed completely after those challenges. I realized that I'm chasing this passion and purpose for myself and for the One above. My goals are now about growing my skills and helping others, not about views and likes. I am constantly amazed at the support and help I feel from that Light. Chasing a dream is a rollercoaster, but by focusing on what you can control and having faith in your journey, you can find incredible joy. I believe in you! You got this!

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,

Shauna from VRGetaways