Do you consume more than you create?

It was a Tuesday night, and I was immersed in a rabbit hole of conservation-related articles in my google newsfeed. Jeff Bezos committing $100M to the World WildLife Fund; explorations on legalizing ivory horn trading as an effort to save the Rhino population; 70% of overall species having become extinct worldwide since the 1970s. I was captivated by these findings, but to my own disappointment I was doing little about it.

Have you ever fallen victim to spending a majority of your time consuming information?

When I scan the best entrepreneurs I've had the chance to work with, individuals who truly have left a mark on the world, their contributions weren't a byproduct of their consumption. It was the byproduct of spending their time partially on consumption and mostly on creation with insight informed by their consumption.

Information consumption is a source of inspiration and new ideas, but if left unchecked we can spend nearly all of our time consuming and zero of our time using that newfound inspiration to contribute to a better world.

Why do most people consume more than they create? Because consumption is easier. It doesn't require the level of discipline, creativity or curiosity that creation demands. Creation demands focus, passion and commitment. It's a challenge to create something meaningful and make progress if you don't feel drawn into the work by those values.

Start with planning. Think through your objective for creating. Think about how you can create a healthier balance between your consumption activities and your creation activities. Identify a way to monitor and evaluate your progress with consistency .

One of the major pledges I'm making to myself in this next year is to create more than I consume. My goal is to use 80% of my time to create and 20% of my time to consume.

My ask to you is to create greater consciousness for your "consumption" activities. Make sure they are adding value to yourself and the world. Strive to create more. Through that work of creation.... I know we will all find greater fulfillment and purpose.