I love doing. I love creating. I love being original.
I prefer these activities over observing, watching, or reading. When I create something new, I feel alive. In contrast, consuming often feels hollow and numbing.
Today, I was listening to a new episode of the Cortex podcast. Grey and Myke were discussing how it feels to improve their craft.
Here are my two takeaways:
1. Observe Others
Start by observing the best people in your field.
It might feel demotivating because you can’t replicate their craft yet, but there is much to learn. It’s also beneficial to observe them multiple times at different points in your journey. Each time, you will be able to gain deeper insights and learn something new.
You can watch their videos, read their books, visit museums to see their work, or take courses they offer. There are countless options, and they don’t need to be expensive. Here is a nice view behind the curtain of MKBHD:
2. Observe Yourself
As a creative person striving to improve your craft, you will invest a lot of time and effort.
Over time, you may lose your reference point and fail to see your own improvement or the big steps you are doing. It might even feel like you’re stagnating or getting worse at your skills. This is not true.
Reflect on the position you were in when you started your craft to see your real progress.
Go for it! Good luck.