We Need The Creative Work Only You Can Give Us

Photo by Kevin Jarrett on Unsplash

Creative.

Because if you don’t create, you’re not putting your learning into practice. You’re not innovating. You’re not helping. You’re not sharing what your people need to hear.

Creative, not original.

You can create unoriginal things that are useful. Things that help us move forward. Things that will make us dream, laugh, or learn.

A service, a product, a business, a book, a blog, a video, a painting, a workshop — there are no limits to what you can make.

But You Don’t Create

You think you’re not good enough. You think your ideas and stories are not valuable. You’re not sure you have something to say.

And so you become more of a consumer than a maker of things.

Instead of recording your own podcast, you listen to other people’s podcasts. Instead of writing a book, you read other people’s books.

What you don’t want to understand is that 1) no one expects you to be great and 2) you already have enough to create beautiful art.

I wish I had known that when I quit drumming in 2012.

Big Mistake

I stopped making music because I thought, “What’s the point of playing the drums like this when there are much younger people than me who can play like that?” I thought I would never be as good a drummer as those young American ones I watched on YouTube.

What an unhelpful belief to have for a creative.

There will always be someone more skilled, original, and talented than you. So what? Is this a reason not to show your work?

I stopped making music, but since 2021 I’ve been creating and showing my creations consistently. I’ve made podcasts, articles, videos, courses, book clubs, speaking clubs, interviews. I created my own website. I wrote a tiny book.

Have I become rich? 6 figures? 7? No.

But creating enriches me. It makes me notice things. It helps me empathise with the people I create for. It’s fun.

I don’t want to stop, no matter how many claps, views, or subscribers I get.

Views, Subscribers, and Comments

Go buy food at the supermarket.

When the cashier says, “It’s $59.98,” look him in the eye and say, “I’ve got 1 million subscribers online, and many of my articles went viral.” If the guy replies, “Congrats! Your groceries are on us today,” please email me to let me know.

Likes and subscribes won’t ever pay your bills. So don’t let those distract you. Focus on helping people.

“Thank you! That inspired me!”

I don’t often get this feedback. But when I do, I know I’ve done something good. I’ve done my job as a creator. That’s priceless.

But what about making money?

It’s Simple

Don’t get obsessed about money. Assume no one will ever pay you. But always keep in mind that with the right mindset and entrepreneurial spirit, you will make money. It’s the natural result of adding value to the lives of the people you want to make an impact on.

It’s the natural result of adding value to the lives of the people you want to make an impact on.

Devote all your creative efforts to making a change in imperfect humans like you.

What Are You Afraid Of?

That people won’t like your creation? How will you ever know that if you don’t show it to them? How will you know if your story is worth telling if you’re too scared to tell it?

At times your creations will remain unseen, get rejected, or be unappreciated. Other times they’ll be so good they’ll “go viral.” Never let this rollercoaster distract you. Maintain a humble spirit.

Don’t worry about having the right tools. That’s another excuse not to create. Don’t worry about making the perfect creation either. Perfection will scare you and lead you to procrastinate. Remove that desire as soon as it arises.

Once, I asked myself, “What if I were the greatest pilot in the world but I’m unaware of it because I’ve never committed to becoming a pilot?”

I’m asking you now, “What if you were the greatest writer, artist, teacher, painter, podcaster, or entrepreneur of our century but you’re unaware of it because you believe you don’t have what it takes?”

Create what you can when you can.

You don’t have to write a whole book tonight. A few rough sentences you can edit tomorrow will be enough. Tomorrow you’ll be proud of today’s work. Those sentences will remind you that yesterday you took the time to make them. You’ll have made a tiny step forward.

Where else could we go if not forward?

Good News and 3 Quotes

Good news: You don’t have to take a course to start creating.

More good news: You don’t need a coach to start creating. You already have a creative idea you want to implement. Go implement it.

Bonus good news: Believe it or not, you’re a talented artist capable of creating beautiful things.

I have three quotes in the room where I create. I don’t know who said or wrote these things but I often look at them for inspiration.

1. “Everyone wanted to be liked and accepted. Except for Tim. Tim didn’t give a f*ck.”
2. “Identify the essential, eliminate the rest.”
3. “It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop.”

Good luck!