Be A Creator, Not a Consumer
Things you’re not allowed to think as you read this article:
- I don’t have enough time.
- I’m not smart enough.
- I don’t solve problems every day.
Many years ago, I created a talk called “7 Steps to Shameless Self-Promotion.” The idea was to explain how to get famous (or at least well-known) in your career field. As I’ve grown, both personally and professionally, I’ve realized that it really comes down to one simple idea:
Be A Creator.
Write a book. Start a blog. Build a website. Publish some software. Contribute to an open-source project. Participate in forums. Leave an indelible mark on your community. These are creation.
As I look around our societal landscape, I’m noticing a trend where more and more people are specifically focused on consuming content. Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, television, books, and magazines are all great things, and I even contend that without some consumption, creation would be incredibly difficult. Everything you consume, whether it’s an interesting blog article or even an episode of Jersey Shore (please don’t), it shapes you as a person.
That being said, you’re currently looking for some ways to change or improve your life. It’s the New Year, after all…why not make some impactful changes in what and how you live it?
I have spoken with thousands of developers, and I pose the same question to each of them:
When you solve a coding problem, where do you publicly share that information with others? A blog? A wiki? StackOverflow?
The answer, almost always, is this: Why would anyone read what I write? I pose a similar question to you, my dear defeatist: Why do you read anyone else’s blog? Is it their incredible use of iambic pentameter? Maybe they rhyme the last word of every line. Or maybe, it’s because you find solutions to your problems in their ramblings.
So in this year 2012, I want all of you to create something. Maybe it’s a piece of art. Maybe it’s a new presentation. Maybe it’s a Windows Phone application. Perhaps you’ve found the motivation to write a short story. Whatever it is, DO IT. The easiest way to get started? Start a blog and write about your hobbies. Go to WordPress and set it up. Once a week, write down the new thing that you learned. Maybe it’s that you finally solved a cool coding problem, or realized that bacon really makes your Cinnamon Toast Crunch taste better. Write it down! Someone will enjoy what you have to say, and at a bare minimum, you’ve now documented your solution, so you’ll remember how you did it the next time.
Let me know when you’ve done it. I need some stuff to consume. 
January 4th, 2012 - 04:42
Jeff,
Great job! Stan forwarded this to me…Nice summation of subject a lot of people just don’t seem to get. Hope to chat in person some time at an after event: BarCamp Sarasota, Sarasota Dev, code camp….
January 4th, 2012 - 07:38
Does commenting on a blog also counts as creation?
I consumed your blog created a comment. Thanks. I m inspired.
January 4th, 2012 - 08:31
Me too. Great post!
There’s nothing greater than having other people find what you create useful.
January 4th, 2012 - 08:45
Funny how I just started a new iOS project a while ago.
)
I currently don’t have a blog though. Definitely starting one!
January 4th, 2012 - 08:50
Thank you. You have no idea how inspirational your post has been. It’s something I’ve been tossing around in my head. You’ve just given me the push I needed. I’ll let you know as soon as it’s up and running!
January 4th, 2012 - 09:13
Nice article.. really true. Even I have noticed that we (including me) become more consume oriented attitude rather than create or ‘Just Do it ‘ attitude. We need to change this.. Have to take some time out & pen down few stuff you feel should be share with others…!!
January 4th, 2012 - 09:30
Agreeing with you 100% – great post.
January 4th, 2012 - 10:13
I love the article and your right, I should contribute more. This year i have started my blog and already have two posts up. Check them out if you get a chance everyone and let me know what you think. Be honest….really, you won’t hurt my feelings. Let me know if there are any other subjects you would like to hear about.
January 4th, 2012 - 10:22
Thanks. Good and incentive article (I used Google Translate to find -incentive-, I hope I didnt use it with incorrect meaning.)
Good days and works.
January 4th, 2012 - 11:18
I think the word you’re looking for is motivating. Good days and works to you as well.
January 4th, 2012 - 10:23
I’m reading your article while sipping my morning coffee…at work….and I noticed something quite interesting on the right hand side….advertising. Ok that’s fine, but what I don’t like is the ad is for dating Asian girls! You might want to look into blocking THAT type of ad IMHO.
January 4th, 2012 - 10:27
Hello! I think that was quite inspiring. I am soo very aspiring to do so.
Please, allow me to say that I am very impressed with your thoughts and motivational speech.
- M
January 4th, 2012 - 10:41
I am reading your article while I am sitting in my room and thinking for writing and presentaing my report on face recognition system given me as assignment in my MS studies indeed this article inspired me.
January 4th, 2012 - 11:01
Nice post, thank you very much!
I agree that being sometimes a creator rather than always just a consumer makes the whole difference. I also think that being able one time or another to create something you really WANT to create (intending to satisfy your own deep needs, not other’s) is of utmost importance. Certainly not easy, however.
Have an awesome creative year!
January 4th, 2012 - 11:16
Great article. I did just that last year since i had some time on my hands after getting laid off. Through the tool i developed, i made some new contacts and learned a great deal about programming and web hosting. Just do it!
January 4th, 2012 - 13:06
Absolutely right! Another consideration is that the only people who can “fix” things are the creators. Warning, philosophical comment: Without creative people, at whatever level, the culture sinks.
January 4th, 2012 - 13:31
I have been a taker for many years. Hopefully I can pay a small part of that forward.
Thanks for the nudge.
January 4th, 2012 - 23:44
I really appreciate your thinking. If every one there start to share their experiences like this, it will solve a great problem.
January 5th, 2012 - 08:39
It’s a nice motivating post… and very true…
January 5th, 2012 - 14:39
Thank you very much!!
I’ve created a blog, but, unfortunately I abandoned it. Now I’ve got inspired to start writing some stuff again
January 5th, 2012 - 21:24
That is exactly how I use my various blogs but recently I have kind of lost my blogging among twitter and google plus. You have inspired me to create more. Thanks
January 11th, 2012 - 07:53
You have inspired me to become a creative person!! Thanks a lot! I just started writing blog, you know! Thanks again!
January 12th, 2012 - 11:55
I write on blog if i got solution or known as my achievement. Do we got developer blogspot or developer social network??
January 13th, 2012 - 09:21
Toooo Good.. U know this my first time giving comment for others….
Thank you
January 18th, 2012 - 11:22
I finished school last year and just started my active life, and a few months ago I’ve been asked by one of my professors to make a short presentation about my job in front of his young students. I told them exactly what you’vre written in this blogpost. Developer’s life is incredible because I can be an expert at my own level. Everybody can do the same. And of course any experience is susceptible to intereset someone else… that’s why we have to talk about it.
January 26th, 2012 - 13:30
You’ve inspired me to get going!
February 2nd, 2012 - 04:10
Great Post!
February 3rd, 2012 - 11:53
Loved this post. Lot of days i go to sleep at 5 o clock in the morning working on some websites, just to earn more money.