Create More Than You Consume

Consumption is a trap, creation is how you actually make a difference.

The only way to make change happen is to actually do something, to create. Consuming, in the form of reading books, watching YouTube videos, or listening to podcasts makes us feel like we are learning but we aren't actually making a contribution. If we get stuck in "motion" we won't realize our potential.

Once you focus on creation, on action, you will make progress towards becoming indispensable.

Don't confuse consumption with progress

Consuming knowledge through reading, watching, listening, or observing is not progress.

There are benefits to all of these things but they don't actually get you closer to realizing your goals. Spending time planning makes us feel productive but it's actually a form of procrastination. We confuse strategizing with making progress.

"When preparation becomes a form of procrastination, you need to change something." (Clear, 143)

When you notice that progress is slow, or non-existent, it's time to focus on actually creating something.

Optimize for creation and action

Pivot away from planning and do something that has a tangible result

Write the article, record the video, conduct the analysis. Create something. Make progress happen by doing things that have an outcome. Don't let perfect be the enemy of done. Consider the work to be practice because you won't improve without it.

Stop consuming. Start creating.

"The number of hours you spend consuming should never equal or exceed the number of hours you spend creating. You don't become a writer by reading other writers. You become a writer by writing—a lot." (Cole, 116)

References

• Clear, James. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Penguin, 2018.
• Cole, Nicolas. The Art and Business of Online Writing: How to Beat the Game of Capturing and Keeping Attention, 2020.

---