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.
Why Being A Maker Has Made Outdoor Holiday Lights A New Everest
I got interested in lighting design in 2005 for local events, concerts, and plays, but thought I gave it up forever in 2010.
Until I failed to make our stroller lights sync to a Disney parade in 2024.
4 Techniques To Add Custom Designs To Projects (Even If You Don't Have A Laser Or CNC)
After creating a few projects, many Makers want to progress to adding custom details and embellishments to projects.
The easiest thing to do is purchase a laser or CNC to engrave the design or precisely carve it out, but neither option is cheap, so here are 4 alternative techniques.
Successful Entrepreneurs Push Through When They Want To Quit
Some people who tried and failed will tell you that entrepreneurship is impossible, the market is too saturated, or that the big companies just have too much power. The good news is that it’s not impossible, but it is incredibly hard to do.
The Only 5 Steps For You To Make Anything (No Matter How Complicated)
I overcomplicated most of my first builds, but finally realized that every project, no matter how complicated, only has 5 steps. Once you internalize these 5 steps, you'll be well on your way to build anything.
The 1 Application Every Maker Should Learn To Use For Better Builds
I became a better Maker after I started using this and it has saved me from making decisions I would regret in project design.
5 Categories From Your Favorite Movie To Build Into Your First Themed Project
Theming my projects instead of simply solving problems was the biggest Maker "unlock" I've experienced so far. Plus, it works whether you love Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Disney, Marvel, or Bridgeton.
The 3 Requirements For A Successful 2026 Maker Social Strategy
You've tried to grow on social media in the past, but if fell flat because you didn't have a good strategy in place. Your 2026 strategy needs a good foundation that helps you stand out from the AI slop that's coming.
Feeling Overwhelmed? 3 Frameworks To Help Your Anxiety & Regain Control
Everyone I talk to feels overwhelmed each December, but it doesn’t have to feel like this.
It feels like everyone one wants everything thing all the time all at once right now and, while that’s a good movie, it’s a terrible way to enjoy the holidays.
Instead, let me save you some time and stress by sharing 3 frameworks that work for me.
5 Steps To Leverage Notion For Your Maker Business
2026 is the year to—finally—get serious about your Maker business, but you need solid systems in place.
I resisted switching to Notion over other options for awhile, but am glad I made the leap in 2023.
So that you can focus on getting your specific business needs, let me save you some time and give you the 5 steps I recommend for setting up Notion for Maker businesses.
4 Reasons Why Movies & Shows Should Inspire Your Builds (Even If You're Not Creative)
Anytime you try out some creative endeavor, you get in your head and choke. You don't believe that you're able to get the ideas out of your head and into a project. If you're making projects to sell on Etsy or Shopify, the stakes seem even higher and you're letting the pressure get to you.
3 Tips To Focus On Boring Work (From A Serial Procrastinator)
Some things just have to be done by a person, and in a 1-person business, that means me.
Since the boring work must be done by me and I want to be successful, here are 3 tips that have helped me get it done consistently.
My Workshop Is Constantly Changing (And Why That’s A Good Thing)
Most people have some idea of what a completed workspace looks like to them, but active workspaces should never be complete.
5 Practical Uses For 3D Printing (So You Can Justify Buying One)
You really want to buy a 3D printer, but how can you justify the purchase to your significant other?
Once you get through the initial, obligatory prints like a Benchy and cute desktop figures, you'll need to print some useful things. Fortunately, you don't have to start from scratch because sites like Thingiverse and MakerWorld have tons of fun and useful prints available for free. The 3D printer community has found tons of ways to upgrade and streamline your life and workplace once you have a printer.
3 Maker Topics I’m Obsessed With For 2026 Builds
It’s that time to start thinking about what projects I want to tackle next year (and which are in my goals from a previous article).
This year, I haven’t built as much in my garage workshop because I’ve been focusing on building out the business. In 2026, I’m still focused on building the business, but it will also involve making more projects. For example, I’m going to be filming in my home office more, so I want that background to look better than the cluttered wall it currently is.
How Ali Abdaal’s Goal Framework Changed How I Plan My Business
I’ve always struggled with how to set goals.
Well, more accurately, I’ve always struggled with setting super high goals, waiting to the last minute to do anything about them, then failing miserably. Part of it was trying to figure out what my “5 year plan” was, but not knowing what that meant for today.
Before you set your 2026 goals, let me save you some time and share what worked for me in 2025 (and how I’m approaching 2026).
6 Tools To Get Makers Under $20 (That They Will Actually Use)
Makers can be some of the most difficult people to buy gifts for.
We generally make everything we need ourselves. Sure, we have a wish list, but it usually only contains tools with hefty price tags well into the thousands. So what do you get the Maker in your life that they will actually use?
Worried About AI? Here's How I'm Leveraging It For My Maker Business (And You Can Too)
It feels like every other post these days is about how AI is going to take away jobs, destroy your business, and we're all going to be worse off.
Hogwash!
3 Reasons Makers Shouldn’t Stop At Solving A Problem
Most people start Making to solve at least one problem.
Saving money is usually a reason people get started, but that usually goes out the window after the initial DIY projects around the house and you start building from scratch. No, we make to solve something tangible with a solution of our own. If we have a bed and a lamp, but no nightstand, it could be starting with that.
The 1 Thing Busy Entrepreneurs Can Do Now To Find The Time You’re Looking For
You want to build your business, but just can't seem to find time in your busy schedule.
You've probably heard that you can't find time, but you have to make it. That's all well and good, but whoever said that doesn't get your "special circumstances." They just didn't understand why you don't have as much time, right?
This is how I discovered just how much time I really had to focus on my business.
How My First Build Project Completely Changed How I See Myself
Today, I couldn't ever see myself not Making things.
It's engrained in my brain and I love it. When we've gone to Disney, I see little pieces and parts that spark ideas for components or entire projects (throughout Disney, and not just Galaxy's Edge thankyouverymuch).
But I didn't start with all this inspiration and confidence that I can build something or figure out how to.