Choosing addition over invention

I love creating a first draft. There is an irresistible, magical feeling that comes with making something for the first time...so much potential and possibility...

Maybe this thing is what?creates my luck?and really takes off!

And of course, there are major benefits to going from 0 to 1. Making something?from nothing is a necessary part of the process of any successful project.

But you can get too focused on first drafts.

For years, I organized events called Startup Weekend. The idea was that over a 54-hour period, teams would create a startup company from scratch.

It was so exciting! There was so much energy, and so many great ideas came out of each and every event.

But there's a limit to what you can accomplish in 54 hours. And even though some notable companies came out of Startup Weekend (including Zapier and Beardbrand) those companies are notable?because they?kept building.

The most impressive demos at the end of a Startup Weekend were barely functioning, minimal prototypes. It was impressive for the period of time that it was built it,?but the market doesn't care about that.

The market cares how useful something is to THEM.

The market is unforgiving.

The market has high expectations.

To meet the market's expectations requires more time and effort than can be produced in a few days or with a first draft.

The most valuable companies in the world were built over thousands of people-hours all contributing to the SAME idea and the SAME goal. It's difficult to build a better alternative to Amazon because it would take so much time and so many resources to catch up.

The amount of time dedicated to improving one idea towards one goal is what makes it valuable. That dedication, that cumulative effort, is what produces something that REALLY stands out in the market.

That's what the market wants.

The same is true for your creative work. What will make your work really stand out as different and valuable is the level of effort and time invested into that project. It takes serious time and resources to make something that stands out!

Sure, there are examples of creative projects that were built in a short amount of time that get a lot of attention. But even?those?projects were a result of the time spent learning a problem, industry, or method behind the scenes. That short burst of creative energy was birthed from months or years spent creating the ingredients necessary for that creative stew.

And yes, there are exceptional projects that really WERE lightning in a bottle.

But those are the exception, not the rule. And those lightning-in-a-bottle moments are difficult to predict or set yourself up to experience.

The more predictable, intentional path is a path of addition?over invention.

Your?creative platform?is something you're always adding to. Your body of work, while some pieces may seem disparate, should build upon itself.

This is what it takes to be remarkable. Instead of creating a new structure from scratch, what if you added a brick to your existing structure? Or you sculpted that existing structure?

The next time you're tempted to follow your next shiny idea, ask yourself:?Is this addition or invention?

Be honest with yourself. If it's invention, is this the starting point for something you will commit to and dedicate more time to building upon?

If not, it may not move you forward towards. It may be taking you further?away?from your dreams.

If you liked this,?subscribe to my Sunday edition of Creative Companion.

#79: Dru Riley [Being Concise] – 45,000+ email subscribers in less than 2 years

Dru Riley?is the creator of?Trends.vc, which has more than 45,000 subscribers and 1,000 Pro members.

With each Trends report, Dru focuses on one core idea or movement. He dives into the history of that idea, why it matters, who the major players in that industry are, the relevant tools and platforms, predictions, opportunities, risks, key lessons, and even some of the opposing viewpoints as to why that idea is bogus.

Trends also has a Pro subscription that goes deeper into each of those areas and includes other forms of media, a community, and more.

In this episode, we talk about Dru’s mini-retirement, why he decided to build Trends, how he thinks about pricing and monetization, what makes a good online community, and why Being Concise has helped along the way.

Listen to the episode ??

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Over the last four years, I've written 500+ newsletters. I know, it's a lot. But it's been the absolute core of my business as a creator. I think everyone should publish an email newsletter, and I can help you with yours.

In this workshop I cover:

• ?? The tools I use
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Get your newsletter off to a strong start by enrolling in one of my most popular workshops.

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Hey, I'm Jay Clouse! And I'm here to help you find?creative independence.

Most of my creative energy is directed towards my podcast,?Creative Elements, and my newsletter,?Creative Companion.

I've created a number of courses and?workshops?including my best-selling?Podcast Like The Pros?and my?Freelancing School Course Bundle.

I want to support YOU on your own journey to creative independence.

The path is long, but you can do it. And I'll be right there by your side, encouraging and inspiring you the whole way.

You can also connect with me on?Twitter?or?Instagram.