How to Create More & Consume Less in 2024

Key Takeaways

1. Content Consumption vs. Creation:

   • Most people consume more content than they create, which is referred to as the 99-1 rule: 90% lurk, 9% interact, and 1% actively create.
   • Consuming content alone isn't productive; creation adds value.

2. Benefits of Creating Content:

   • Deepens Understanding: Creating content forces you to organize your thoughts and solidify your knowledge.
   • Builds Personal Brand: Your online presence acts as your resume.
   • Opens Opportunities: Sharing content can lead to collaborations, job opportunities, and new connections.

3. Curation Method:

   • Collecting: Start by gathering content that interests you.
   • Curating: Select and organize the best content to tell a story and present a clear message. This involves active engagement rather than passive collection.
   • Creation via Curation: Annotate, explain, and add your perspective to the curated content to make it meaningful.

4. Ways to Curate and Create Content:

   • Curated Newsletters: Summarize important news in a specific niche.
   • Infographics: Visual explanations of complex topics.
   • Comparison Tables: Research and compare different options.
   • Toolkits: Compile valuable tools and resources for a specific skill or niche.
   • Guides: Create comprehensive guides for beginners in a particular field.
   • Reviews: Share your opinions on products, art, or trends.

5. Principles for Effective Content Curation:

   • Collect in a "Second Brain": Use a notes app to store and organize interesting content.
   • Learn in Public: Share your learning journey publicly.
   • Combine Personal and Objective: Share practical content with your interpretation and commentary.
   • Always Pitch Something: Encourage others to take beneficial actions.
   • Feed and Tune Your Network: Engage with a community that values the same content.

6. Mindset Shift:

   • You don’t need to be an expert to share your ideas—everyone has valuable insights.
   • Creation is about joy in the process, not just the destination.

7. Engage in Dialogue:

   • Think of content creation as a conversation with your future self, enhancing self-understanding and showcasing your evolution over time.

8. Ending Note:

   • Ask yourself what brings you joy and how you can share that joy with others. This process strengthens community and self-reflection.