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.
7 Takeaways For Entrepreneurs From Derek Sivers's Book "Hell Yeah or No"
Social media would have us believe we need to say “Yes” to more to succeed, but that’s not true.
• Change your default answer to "no"
• Believe you are below average
• Great goals cause change now
• Don't use single advice
• Embrace new ideas
• Share what is obvious to you
• Success comes from evolution
What Business Owners Can Learn From Anakin Skywalker
Star Wars is full of things we can learn, but business owners can learn 2 key things from Anakin Skywalker.
Anakin is fully convicted of his beliefs and acts on it.
Anakin acts immediately without overthinking.
While other Jedi are still strategizing what the best move is, Anakin has already completed multiple battles.
The Biggest Mistake I Made When Purchasing Online Courses
I’ve purchased dozens of courses since 2018, but there was a problem.
I would learn, then not implement.
Education without implementation is just entertainment.
Entertainment is great, but that's not what makes courses so powerful (and sometimes expensive).
You have to act immediately.
The Number 1 Reason Your Content Business Is Failing
For years, I wondered why others succeeded and I was not online.
Lack of consistency.
Most people see an "overnight success" wondering how it happened. We don't see the weeks, months, or even years of work that went into it without anyone seeing it.
Lock in for consistency this week.
The 1 Skill That Turns Your 3D Printer Into An Idea Manufacturing Machine
The 1 skill that turns your 3D printer into an idea manufacturing machine.
3D modeling.
2 flavors of modeling can meet the needs of what you want.Creative projects? Try out mesh modeling with Blender.
Real-world accurate solutions? Try parametric modeling with Fusion 360.
5 Topic Frameworks For Writing A Maker Newsletter
Many know they need a newsletter, but worry they'll run out of ideas to write about, so steal these.
• The 2 Year Test
• What you wish you knew before starting
• Under/over rated techniques
• Quick, niche projects
• Unpopular opinions
What Newsletter Writers Can Learn From McDonald’s CEO Video
Would you from 2 years ago subscribe to your newsletter?
If not, it's too dense.
If so, you're on the right track.
Write for who you wanted to become 2 years ago.
Why I Still Use A Paper Notebook In Addition To A Notion Second Brain
With the rise of the iPhone, I thought I’d evolve and switch to digital notes, but kept wanting the feel of a paper notebook.
I tried to keep both synced for too long and it was frustrating.
My notebook is now for sketches and one-time use notes I don't need to save.
My Notion second brain is for to dos and long-term notes.
5 Reasons Themed Projects Bring Joy Back To Making Things
In 2021, I thought I was burned out on Making things till I started theming projects.
Theming brought joy back to me for 5 reasons:
1. I appreciated my favorite movies more.
2. I use both sides of my brain.
3. I ditched boring shapes.
4. I look for new techniques.
5. I create what stores lack.
The 3 Best Methods To Insulate Your Job From Being Replaced By AI
As people fear layoffs due to AI implementations, here are 3 effective ways to increase your chances of staying employed.
1. Become your company's AI expert
2. Deliver solutions, not project results
3. Proactively seek automation
AI will not replace your job, but people who embrace change (including AI) will.
4 Easy Ways To Find The Best Topics For Your Newsletter
Most Makers struggle to come up with ideas to write in a weekly newsletter, but with these 4 ways, you’ll never run out of ideas.
1. Poll your social audience
2. Find recurring ideas in comments
3. Give more details from recent videos
4. Expand winning short-form ideas
With these ways, you'll never run out of newsletter issue ideas to write about.
3 Crucial Pieces Of Maker Advice I Wish I Had When Starting To Build Things
When I made office built-ins in 2018, I wish I knew these 3 pieces of critical advice, which would have saved time.
1. Start the build before you think you're ready.
2. Don't try to make the project perfect.
3. Add flexibility into the design.
These would have saved me months of delays on my first projects.
The 1 Reason Now Is The Best Time For Makers To Incorporate Microcontrollers Into Builds
Not knowing how to code isn't an excuse anymore because AI can write it for you.
More than that, AI can then help you understand the code for troubleshooting in reality too.
The Single Most Overlooked Method To Create Better AI Prompts
Instead of paying hundreds for courses, how should you start learning to craft better AI prompts?
Leverage AI to learn how to leverage AI.
Sounds cheesy, but AI knows how it processes information better than humans. So who would be better to help highlight what the differences between good and bad prompts are?
3 Reasons Writing Is Overpowered In The Age Of AI
Writing is overpowered as leverage for AI for 3 key reasons.
1. Lazy creators will let AI write 100% for them
2. Prompts are a writing skill
3. Writing clarifies your thinking
As AI becomes even more expansive and engrained, effective written communication is a required skill.
The Best Calls To Action Formats By Platform
Only 1, free value CTA per content piece.
• YouTube - Watch a video
• Newsletter - PS nudge
• Instagram - Comment a word
• Twitter/X - Direct to a pinned post
CTAs should simple, but give more free value.
5 Books Every Content Creator Should Read (And Implement)
Reading has helped me think about and implement business ideas more than anything else (other than doing the work). These are my 5 favorites for content creation.
• Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
• The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
• The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole
• Building A Second Brain by Tiago Forte
• Start With Why by Simon Sinek
2 AI Prompts To Gain Business Clarity (Even If You Haven't Used AI Much Yet)
My 2 favorite AI prompts I’ve used to gain business clarity:
1. Clarifying target audience & value proposition
2. Identifying social content gaps
AI is not going to replace businesses, but businesses that use AI to gain leverage will.
6 Easy Steps To Start Your Maker Newsletter This Weekend
You know you should start a newsletter, but how? Follow these steps:
1. Choose who it's for
2. List 3-5 topic categories
3. Decide on email platform
4. Research writing formats
5. Write newsletter 1
6. Send it
Don't overcomplicate it.
Start and adjust the rest as you go.
4 Steps To Figure Out What Value Your Audience Needs
Most creators hope that what they want to create happens to be interesting for their audience, but use these steps to find the value they need.
1. Stop assuming and start listening
2. Pay attention to duplicate questions
3. Test small before investing time
4. Just ask
Your audience tells you what they need, but you have to pay attention to hear.