Mind of a Maker
A daily blog inspired by Matthew Dicks
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.”
To become better at something, you have to practice. What better way to become a better writer and storyteller than to practice by making a habit of writing daily?
In this daily blog, we’ll discuss Maker-related topics as well as what inspires projects, including YouTube videos, Movies, TV Shows, Disney, Star Wars, LEGO, Books, and more. Everything is on the table, and nothing is off-limits.
Disclaimer: The thumbnail images featured on this blog are often AI-generated. See Disclosure page for more information.
Your Maker Hobby Shouldn't Be Draining You. 3 Ways To Regain The Spark
The downside to Making things is that your project list is never-ending and, if you build too many projects for others, it becomes a second job. Hobbies shouldn't be draining, but should fill you back up after the demands of your full-time job, family, and friends.
3 Reasons Why Making Things After Work Beats Scrolling, Streaming, or Complaining
ou’ve been in the working world for several years and time seems to be slipping away from you faster than ever.
Sure, you meet up with old friends to complain about your jobs, mindlessly scroll social media, and catch up on the latest streaming shows, but something is always missing. Maybe you’ve even tried video games, getting a pet, or starting a YouTube channel. No matter what you try, you can’t find a good way to let off steam after your 9 to 5 and recharge yourself.
Tired of Being Told to Relax? 3 Reasons Making Things Is a Better Cure for Corporate Burnout
You're home from an exhausting day of unnecessary meetings, constant Teams notifications, and email overload and all you want to do is unwind... like you've done every night for the past few years.
The 4 Most Basic Steps Every Maker Project Has
How do you eat an elephant?
Here’s how I apply this concept to my projects and what it has unlocked for me when it comes to larger, complex projects.
5 Functional Star Wars Projects That Should Be On Every Fan's "To Make" List
There is something about the galaxy far, far away that speaks to my soul and inspires me to theme my build projects as if they lived in that world.
One of the biggest reasons I didn't make Star Wars projects at first was that they seemed to be lacking something. The ideas looked amazing and would make me happy, but they still didn't feel complete.
3 Hidden Costs Of Procrastination That Lead Makers To Burnout & Ultimately Quitting
As much as I want to say I don't procrastinate, I do and have noticed a few things over the years.
The 3 Lies Makers Tell Themselves That Keep Them From Making Progress On Projects
Everyone has a long list of things they want to accomplish and Makers are no different with project lists.
When looking at a long list of projects, some likely already in progress, it is easier to lie to ourselves than knock one out.
3 Unexpected Benefits For Corporate Professionals Who Start Making Things
I had been working nights and weekends for nearly a year, felt like I barely saw my new wife, and had canceled so many plans with friends that invites stopped coming. A YouTube video came across my feed of someone building something (what I cannot remember, although I wish I could) and I thought, "I can do that." I immediately started figuring out what tools I needed, what I could build, and what space I had in the garage.
Simple (But Effective) Pieces Of Advice I'd Give Anyone Starting To MAKE Things
I have been MAKING things for 8 years.
These are the 3 simple (but effective) pieces of advice I'd give anyone starting out (or who wants to get started):
If You're Interested In Learning To MAKE Things, Subscribe To These 3 YouTube Channels
Learning to MAKE things is hard.
Luckily, all the inspiration and education you need to know to get started and building projects of your own is available online—for free.
Just subscribe to these 3 YouTube channels:
The 1 FREE Application I Can’t Live Without For MAKING Things
Today, there is an app, website, or software platform for just about anything (including finding someone to walk your dog).
But when it comes to MAKING things, there is 1 application I can’t live without.
5 Easy Ways For Professionals Working From Home To Make Their Background Lighting For Video Calls 100 Times Better In Under An Hour
Boring backgrounds are a plague on video calls, which are here to stay, even as most people return to the office more frequently.
Instead of settling for boring, here are 5 Easy Ways to MAKE your video background 100 times better in under an hour.
2 Simple Tips For Busy Professionals To Maximize Their Time In The Workshop, Create More Projects, And Tap Into Their Creative Side
Time is a struggle for just about everyone, but especially busy professionals juggling work, family, friends, and other responsibilities ahead of hobbies.
Fortunately, I found these 2 simple tips helped me get more out of my limited workshop time, which helped me create more projects, and gave me the time to think creatively as well.
The Simplest Way For Makers To Overcome Procrastination Mid Build
Personally, I have struggled with procrastination for years, and it has caused months of delays.
Procrastination stems from being unsure of next steps and a lack of planning.
Here's how I started working on it:
The 1 Superpower Making Things Gives You (But It's A Duel-Edged Sword)
After I had been Making things for about a year, I realized it was an unexpected superpower.
The superpower? You believe that you can Make anything!
The kryptonite? You believe that you can Make Anything...
Something Weird Most People Don't Know About MAKING Things
There are a lot of things most people don't know about Making things.
Some things are common, like stains not looking as good as the actual hardwoods. But, here's the weirdest thing most people don't know about Making things:
The 1 Simple Change That Helped Me Enjoy Building Projects More Than Ever (even though I was in a creative slump)
Like many, I started making and building projects to solve problems.
However, the novelty of creating a solution to a problem wore off, so how could I get the creative juices flowing again?
1 Big Mistake I Made When I Was First Getting Started Building and Making Things
Like most beginners, I made a lot of mistakes when I first started Making things (and still do).
But this was the biggest one, by far:
1 Tip I Would Give Someone Who Wanted To Start Making Things For Themselves
I have been Making things for 8 years now. And what I can tell you (from experience) is that in order to succeed as a Maker, you need to be willing to learn, willing to fail, and willing to think big.
So, here's the 1 tip I would give you if you wanted to pursue being a Maker: