What I do when motivation drops off (2PJZ Debrief - Edition 11)


Thursday, 26 June 2025

2PJZ Debrief - Edition 11

Hey Reader,

Welcome to Edition 11 of 2PJZ Debrief.

This one is a little late. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been dementary, juggling full-time work, shooting car features, and setting up my new creator studio in collaboration with Desky. That build is coming to my Instagram and YouTube very soon.

A lot has been happening, and I’ve learned a lot in the process. Let's get into it.

Quick Catch-Up

A quick snapshot over the last few weeks and a future projection.

  • YouTube: I haven’t posted in a month, but not because I’ve stopped creating. The BMW 3 Series documentary is coming soon, and it is shaping up to be one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on. It deserves the time. Look out for it in early July.
  • Instagram: Daily content continues to flow, and the feedback has been incredible. Even when I’ve felt off, the support has been strong. That tells me something important: consistency will always outperform perfection. The most real content connects.
  • Loan cars: This weekend, I’m picking up the brand-new BMW M5 Touring. Twin-turbo V8 hybrid. Supercar speed with wagon practicality. I’ll be shooting POVs, driving impressions and plenty of content you won’t want to miss.

I've also been building out my studio after a month-and-a-half in the new house, working out of the dining table. Below, you can see me figuring out where to put all the model cars.

Behind the Camera:

These last few weeks have taught me a powerful lesson. When life gets full, it doesn’t mean you’re off track. It just means you’re building.

My major update behind the scenes is that I've spent a LOT of money on a physical product option, which I'll be sharing more about soon, to help take this brand from the digital world to the real one. So keen for this!

I’ve been working on a lot of content behind the scenes. The documentary. Brand discussions. Filming. Growing the business. And something many of you have asked for - my 2PJZ Content Calendar.

I'll be sending out a separate email about this, but here's an early link if you're keen to check it out. It's $10 US, which is a small cost to give yourself the biggest advantage you can have when making content: organisation and strategy.

This is the exact system I use to plan and post consistently while balancing a full-time job. It’s helped me grow 2PJZ from an idea into a brand people now trust. If you’re trying to grow online without burning out, this calendar is going to give you structure, clarity and momentum.

Most people overcomplicate their creative process. I’ve learned that simplifying it is the only way to stay consistent.

Sometimes progress feels quiet. That doesn’t mean you’re standing still. It just means the work you are doing is building something long-term.

PS – still no movement on my new car yet after selling my JZX100 Chaser. The press car bookings continue into July and August, but I'm saving my pennies for something special that represents my future direction with the brand. My main options are a Lexus ISF or BMW E46 M3, with a few other potential contenders.

Lessons and Learnings:

This week’s biggest reminder has been this:

You don’t need to do more. You just need to keep doing what matters.

The pressure to post more, achieve faster, earn quicker, and create bigger can easily lead to burnout. I’ve felt that pressure multiple times every single day. But the truth is, most of your growth will come from doubling down on what already works.

For me, that means staying close to the community, telling great stories, filming what I genuinely enjoy, and building tools that help others do the same.

If you’re trying to grow something right now - whether it is your personal brand, a creative business or a better version of yourself - don’t try to sprint every day. Choose direction over speed.

Where My Head Is

Right now, I feel focused. Not perfect. Not finished. Just focused.

There have been nights recently where I sat at my desk staring at my screen with no idea what to work on next. But instead of getting frustrated, I’ve started asking better questions.

What do people love seeing? What kind of content actually creates value? What do I enjoy making the most?

That reflection has helped me refine where 2PJZ is going next. Over the coming weeks, you’ll notice some clear themes in the content. Less noise. More purpose. Everything is being built to inspire, inform, and help car lovers and creators grow.

This newsletter is a big part of that. It’s one of my favourite things to write, and I’m grateful you’re here to read it.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I’ll leave you with this:

You don’t need to be motivated to make progress.
You just need to keep showing up.

That’s what I’m doing. I hope you are too.

Spread the Word!

If something stood out to you from this edition, forward it to a friend or share on your Instagram story. I want to reach as many people as possible who’ll find this valuable - and that only happens with your help.

Want help with content, branding, or breaking into motorsport?
I’ve got limited 1-on-1 consults opening in July. Hit reply if you're keen.

For brand or business enquiries: pat@2pjz.com
Free + paid tools: 2PJZ Gumroad Store

Thank you for being here. Your support fuels this whole thing - and we’re only just getting started.

Stay Driven,
Pat – 2PJZ

Pat James - 2PJZ

Hi, I'm Pat James, or 2PJZ, from Melbourne, Australia. My brand revolves around my passion for cars and creating high energy, valuable and technical content to make the car scene a better place. I've owned 27+ cars, and driven more than I could ever count, and via my content I take you on my automotive journey and show you what it's really like to do this new age automotive journalism/content creation venture.

Read more from Pat James - 2PJZ

Your exclusive access to cars, content and the journey behind 2PJZ. Wednesday, 9 July 2025 2PJZ Debrief - Edition 12 Hey Reader, Welcome to Edition 12 of 2PJZ Debrief. This fortnight’s newsletter is forgoing the usual structure to dive into my biggest creative project yet – a short film commissioned by BMW Australia to celebrate 50 Years of the BMW 3 Series. I began work on this project in March, and everything, from the initial concept to exporting the video, was entirely directed by me,...

Your exclusive access to cars, content and the journey behind 2PJZ. Thursday, 5 June 2025 2PJZ Debrief - Edition 10 Hey Reader, Welcome to Edition 10 of 2PJZ Debrief. Real talk: Juggling 2PJZ, a full-time job, the gym, and life lately has been a lot. Some weeks feel like a blur. But I always come back to this newsletter, because it’s my space to update you properly - no filters, no algorithm ranking, no fluff. Let’s get stuck in. Quick Catch-Up My favourite pieces of content from the past...

Your exclusive access to cars, content and the journey behind 2PJZ. Thursday, 22 May 2025 2PJZ Debrief - Edition 9 Hey Reader, Welcome to Edition 9 of 2PJZ Debrief – this week marks one whole year since I stopped wondering “what if?” and started posting daily about rare cars and the stories they tell. My official one-year anniversary is this Sunday, 25 May – but I figured we’d start celebrating early. Before anything else: thank you.None of what I’m about to share would’ve happened without...