Instead of merely consuming, merely existing, become a creator this week — focus on creating stuff. You can not only earn money by doing so, but also help others.
Why is creating stuff important?
It is amazing how many people I talk to who tell me they want to create a new business blog, write a book about their business, start a new business, change careers, make something new like invent new products. But they keep putting it off.
Does that sound familiar? You have been wanting to do something different, but you do not have the time, or maybe the energy, right now? A million things on your to-do list, a schedule packed full, meetings that keep coming up. You will get to your Big Thing, but later. There is all the time in the world to do it later, right?
That time will never come. Not if you do not create that time yourself. Seize the bull by the horns, grasp it tenaciously, never let it go. Time has a habit of trampling over us, so softly we do not even notice but so powerfully we become crushed over the course of weeks and years.
How to start creating stuff?
- First, create the time. Time does not fall into your lap. It is not handed to you by a kindly old gentleman. You must create it, taking from the world the raw materials you need and shaping it with your bare dirty blistered hands, pushing the clay into form from its shapeless muddy glob.
- Say ‘No!’ to everything else. Put off what can be held at bay for the time being. And create time for what is necessary.
- Make something. Bring new creative life into the world, change the lives of others, and in doing so, change yours. People in our new world are empowered to express themselves, to create, to become a part of a global conversation and transformation, in a way that has never existed before. What will you do with that? What will your place be in this new, interesting world? Will you have a voice? Will you be a creator, or just a consumer?
- Create something easy. Explore the world, and write a blog about it. Try something you have always been afraid to try, and put it on video. Create interesting, lovely or funny videos, put them on You Tube. Start an open-source project. Make a podcast. Make music that makes others want to weep, to laugh, to create. Inspire others by being inspiring. Teach young people to do amazing things. Write a play, get others to act in it, record it. Meet new people, become fast friends. Dare to be wrong. Take lots and lots of pictures. Explore new cultures. Be different. Take action. Paint a huge mural. Create a web comic. Be a dork, but do it boldly. Interview people. Observe people. Create new clothes. Take old stuff and make new stuff from it. Read, and read, and then write. Read weird stuff. Start a business blog, write at least a little each day. Cook great food, and share it. Focus on less but do it better. Help others achieve their dreams. Put a smile on someone’s face, every day.
- Create something difficult. Write a book. Or an eBook. Write poetry and publish it on the web. Write a web app that will solve a problem in people’s lives. Study the greats, and emulate them. Be interested in others. Surprise people. Become a watchdog to replace the faltering newspapers. Start a new company, doing only one thing, but doing it very well. Start a business that does a service you have always wanted, or that you are frustrated with in other companies because the service sucks. Put your heart into something. Help someone else start a small business. Be profound. Find focus in a world without it. Turn problems into opportunities. Practice minimalism in a world of dizzying complexity. Reach out to those who are frustrated, depressed, angry, confused, sad, hurt, etc.
- Create something extremely tough. Be passionate. Be yourself, loudly. Do something others are afraid to do. Say something that no one else dares to say. Do something good and ask others to pass it on. Be the voice for those without one. Have impact. Learn, do, then teach. Help someone no one else cares to help. Make the lives of others better. Empower others to do things they have never been able to do before. Love, and love, and then help others to love. Start a movement. Be open-minded.
Be brave when creating something new, honest, hilarious. Get really, really good at something. Practice a lot. A lot. Start now. Try.
