The world needs makers

Summer is in full swing which means parents everywhere are hearing the dreaded words “I’m bored!” from their progeny. And while it may seem crazy that in a world of 24 hour news, the internet reaching to the far corners of the globe, podcasts and Netflix that anyone could ever get bored anymore.

And yet, you might just be feeling a bit bored in your business too.

There comes a point when you just want to scream “there’s nothing new under the sun!” after reading the same dozen articles and seeing the same old launches and getting your hundredth invite to a “ground-breaking” webinar this week.

Sometimes it feels like being stuck in a library where you’ve read all the books a thousand times. What can you do? Become a creator.

There’s nothing wrong with being a consumer of information, it’s how we learn, connect with others and broaden our experiences. But if all you’re doing is sucking up resources and information then you’ll probably get bored a lot faster in the meantime.

Instead, balance your time by contributing something to the equation. This is the time to write that book (or the blog post you’ve been ruminating on for ages), record the video, start the podcast, complete the drawing, design the infographic or share the picture.

Competition is an illusion

It can seem like there’s enough out there already, but I assure you, there is always room for more. Besides, it’s not about competing with everyone else and making the best of whatever you’re doing. It’s about expression.

Of course strive for excellence – sharing what you create (especially in your business) will reflect on you in many ways – but don’t get caught up in the illusion that you have to be better than or more than anyone else.

Creation spurs innovation

Do you ever think about why some places in the world, such as Silicon Valley, are seemly hot beds of activity in a certain field? Why finance is centered in New York and tech startup in San Francisco?

It’s because of the environment that creation builds where you’re not just leveraging the strengths of your team but their connections, your roommates, and the people in your co-working collective.

Creation works the same way in your own space – when you start to build something anew it will spark a fresh idea, inspired ideas and should prompt you to doing more.

Focus small, reach big

When I started writing for this site, nearly 4 years ago, I was under no illusions that a Pultzier was just around the corner. I began, and continue, to share because I knew that there was one entrepreneur out there drowning in their business who needed help. I understood that this person just needed the lifeline to get their email sorted out and figure out billing and wanted to stop making it all up as they went along.

So that’s who I write to, and why I write every single week. For that one person who will read and let out a sigh of relief and say “I can do that, this will work.”

Of course many more thousands of people have been influenced, but if I start creating with an audience of millions in my mind it’s easy to become intimidated and get stuck. By focusing on a small group or single person who has this need I’m able to reach many, many more.

Don’t get stuck in neutral

It’s easy enough to think about how crowded the marketplace is or the millions of blogs, books and videos out there and doing so will keep you in neutral for far, far too long.

Instead I want you to shift your ass into gear and create. Become a maker. Start with a first draft, a first take. Learn as you go. Inspire others. Break out of boredom.