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How to make (great) things
- Cultivate curiosity and a love for learning. You'll need fuel for long journeys.
- Don't be afraid to feel embarrassed about your creations. They will be terrible half of the time.
- Develop your taste as much as your skills. There will come a point where choosing what to create is more important than making it.
- Rely on other people's ideas. Don't execute other people's ideas.
- Be comfortable with going against the norm, but also try to persuade others to join you.
- Keep a detailed record of your journey. You'll need it to remind yourself of the good times when things get tough.
- Avoid using big words, trendy expressions, and jargon. They are like empty calories and will not provide you with much substance.
- Criticism can be of low or high quality. Only take the high-quality criticism seriously.
- Show up every day, but take a step back at certain intervals to reevaluate whether it's still worth it. Don't fall for the sunk cost fallacy.
- Data alone cannot sustain passion. Make sure you have a deeper, personal connection with the thing you're creating.