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.
4 Levels To Niche Down Your Audience (Even If You Don't Think You Can Anymore)
We all know the benefits of narrowing our audiences, but it can seem like we already did. Instead, narrow further by these 4 levels.
1. Narrow the topic
2. Narrow the skill level
3. Narrow the platform
4. Narrow the outcome
Every nice can be refined so people within that range find your content extremely valuable.
5 Takeaways For Content Creators From "Start With Why"
Most businesses owners spend so much time focusing on what they do and why they do it that WHY is forgotten. WHY you should Start with WHY:
1. WHY before What and How
2. Aim for innovation, not novelty
3. Destination (What) < Journey (WHY)
4. Authenticity comes from WHAT aligning with WHY
5. Run advice through The Celery Test
Your WHY is your compass.
The Best Framework I’ve Found For Increasing Volume And Efficiency
I used to “run and gun” my content and articles, but would always feel burned out every few days. Instead, I found this framework helps.
Separate planning and execution.
Instead of coming up with a topic to write about every day, then writing it, I plan my week of articles on Sunday.
The rest of the week, I just write what I already planned.
5 Practices Business Owners Can Learn From Makers
The business sphere of social media parrots the same advice over and over, but Makers offer 5 different mindsets.
1. Practice on yourself
2. Forget perfection
3. Get better every project
4. Change what isn't working
5. Create your ideal environment
Makers are natural learners and implementers that business owners would do well to imitate.
1 Simple Way To Bring Life To Themed Rooms Like Disney
Disney is unrivaled at theming and, amongst all their tricks, 1 simple technique is used in almost every themed area.
Texture.
Galaxy's Edge doesn't have perfectly flat surfaces, but the rocks are pitted and rugged.
Small World doesn't just splash color across shapes, but adds glitter and cut outs.
Texture beats flat for theming.
Functional Star Wars Droids Are Closer Than Ever For Makers
I’ve always wanted my own R2-D2 and now, I might be able to make my own.
AI personalities are the brains.
Micro controllers bring them to life with attachments.
The 2 combined can create droids that think, respond, and then also move and interact with the world.
4 Justifications For Woodworkers To Buy A 3D Printer
Woodworkers love new tools and gadgets as much as any Maker, but these 4 areas can help justify a 3D printer.
1. Organization
2. Jigs & templates
3. Scale model references
4. Custom hardware
3D printing is a phenomenal tool for bettering every part of life, but specifically for saving time in the shop and increasing build quality.
4 Takeaways For Content Creators From “Hook Point”
Follow and subscriber counts mean nothing without effective communication.
• Capture attention within 3 seconds
• Provide quality value
• Create beneficial stress (eustress)
• Set trends, don't follow them
Capture attention and overdeliver on value with good storytelling
The 1 Reason Businesses Should Start A Newsletter Now
Social media algorithms seem to change every day and more platforms seem to be moving to pay-to-play models.
On social media, you rent your audience.
You own your email list.
Valuable email isn't dead. Only emails that always pitch.
The 2 Best Habits For Achieving Your Business Goals
I used to constantly miss my goals until I started these 2 habits.
1. Review short-term goals daily
2. Zero inboxes & review long-term goals weekly
The daily review keeps you on track with your actions.
The weekly review keeps your actions aligned with your ambitions.
4 Steps To Iterate Ideas Without Wasting Time & Money On Flopping Videos
Most creators spend time on video ideas that flop, but successful creators iteration with 4 steps.
1. Post initial ideas to X
2. Expand winning ideas into threads
3. Expand winning threads into articles
4. Expand winning articles into videos
Now your videos have the best chance of succeeding based on data, not emotion.
3 Adjustments To Increase Your Newsletter's Opt-In (Without Pushy Sales Tactics)
Most businesses have a newsletter, but are stuck at 1% (or less) in opt-in. These 3 things can help.
1. Focus on value, not "news and updates"
2. Incentivize readers to enter their email
3. Turn a single lead magnet into an email drip
People subscribe for value, so tell them exactly what value they get.
4 Integrated Lighting Options For Content Creators To Liven Video Backgrounds
Overhead lighting is terrible for you, but also for your videos. Let’s integrate the lighting in a few ways to level-up out content and workspace.
• Under shelf LEDs
• Wall panels
• Stylized wall sconce
• Glowing objects
Lighting is necessary for quality video, but building it into the room makes it feel more purposeful than stands everywhere.
The 1 Reason Writing Is Now Essential For Business Owners
Most business owners discount the importance of writing, but they shouldn’t for 1 major reason.
AI.
Writing helps you clarify your thinking.
Better thinking leads to better prompts.
Everyone who wants to succeed in business or content must embrace AI and therefore writing for better prompts.
4 Takeaways For Makers From Austin Kleon's "Show Your Work"
Many on social media only show the finished result, but Austin Kleon recommends showing the work in progress for success.
1. Show the work in progress
2. Daily content is feasible
3. Always give proper credit
4. Start an email list
Social media needs more Makers showing what they are creating, not just the final products.
3 Unexpected Benefits Of Starting To Make Things (Beyond Building Custom Projects)
When I started Making things in 2017, I could never have anticipated these unexpected benefits.
1. Increased problem solving skills
2. Repair confidence
3. Modification ideas
Making things has acted as a multiplier for skills that has improved almost every aspect of my life.
6 Steps To Realign Annual Goals (Even If Your New Year's Resolution Already Failed)
80% of goals fail by February, so here are 6 simple steps to realign your 2026 goals.
1. Identify Jan mistakes
2. Dig into the root cause of mistakes
3. Plan to reduce or remove the root causes
4. Reaffirm Q1 and Feb goals
5. Forget Jan mistakes
6. Put Feb goals into action now
The Best Way To Confront Your Mistakes & Move Forward
Most people dwell on mistakes. Dwelling can make people spiral and grind any progress to a screeching halt.
Successful people acknowledge mistakes, take appropriate action, then move forward.
Faster recovery = more success.
4 Sketches To Clarify Jumbled Idea Messes
Sketching ideas seems obvious for Makers building things, but it’s also helpful for business owners working through messes of ideas.
1. Product or service stacks
2. One-pager ideation
3. Video background concepts
4. Pillar content connections
Sketching ideas captures the feeling before sinking tons of time, effort, and money into them (just like with build ideas).
5 Ways Side-Hustlers Can Gamify Consistent Productivity
Gamifying boring work is a path to success through 5 ways:
1. Consistency streak
2. Stat buffing
3. Epic playlists
4. Bury loot
5. Player avatar
Gamifying keeps you in the game when the grinding for the next level gets boring.