Most of you who read my columns are different in some way from the rest of the population. No, you’re not better better than them - I’m not here to stroke your ego. Rather, your difference lies in your ability to think differently and do what most lack the vision or imagination to do. Some people are great at execution, and some are blessed with the vision and imagination to change reality as we know it (see The Power To Change Reality for context). If you want to be one of those ground-breaking artists, entrepreneurs, or scientists - then you must spend more of your time creating, not consuming. When you create, you add something to the world. When you consume something created by others, you don’t add anything to the world. Instead you are only adding to yourself. While we must all consume things in order to survive, I’d argue that its a lot more valuable to be a creator.
Many of the skills we pick up in life are of the kind that allow us to consume something. We learn how to eat a steak. We learn how to operate a tool or machine that someone else created. We learn how to watch a movie or tv show. We learn how to read in order to learn from others. These are all necessary skills that allow us to function in life and enrich our experience as human beings. While some attempts are made to teach us skills of creation such as writing, more often than not we develop an imbalance between skills of consumption and skills of creation. Many people can read a book, but few can write one. Creation is a skill, and perhaps talent, that is not easily developed. Some people probably lack the creativity, intelligence, and talent to create great things, but who really knows what a person is capable of? You never know until you try, and that’s why I espouse the philosophy of creating, not consuming.
Are you someone who uses the internet only to consume other people’s creations? Look at all the blogs, youtube videos, and web applications that people are creating. Why not be a part of that? If you want to be successful, then you have to actually create something that will enrich others’ lives. You can’t simply consume what other people create all the time and expect to become rich or famous. Creating takes effort, intelligence, and perhaps most importantly - the courage to try. Artists, scientists, and entrepreneurs won’t always get it right. It takes courage to put your heart and soul out there into the world, whether it be a scientific theory, work of art, or business idea. But they are the ones who will change the world, and enrich the lives of millions, maybe even billions. And they’ll reap the rewards for that, whether that be fame, money, or simply the satisfaction and fulfillment of affecting people’s lives.
Not everyone is cut out to be a creator. Call me an elitist - I admit that I am. I don’t believe that everyone is blessed with creativity and vision, although they might be blessed with other talents. But if you’re still reading, then that doesn’t apply to you. You probably do what have it takes, and just need a shift in mindset or push in the right direction to awaken your dormant creative juices. The best thing about creating is that (except perhaps in the field of business) it usually involves only time and effort. You can create anywhere, anytime, and you are only bound by the limits of your imagination.