Many creators dream of crafting that perfect masterpiece, a piece of content that stands the test of time. But the truth is, content creation isn’t about producing one flawless work and calling it a day. Instead, it’s a continuous journey, a marathon where the focus should be on building a rich catalogue of work, not obsessing over one perfect creation.
Think "What's Next" Over "What's Now"
A key difference between creating a catalogue and focusing on a masterpiece lies in the thought process. When you aim for a masterpiece, you worry about perfection. Every detail becomes a source of stress, and you keep refining endlessly. However, adopting a catalogue mindset shifts your thinking to “What’s next?” instead of “What’s now?” This approach frees you from perfectionism and encourages you to keep moving forward.
When you’re constantly thinking about what comes next, you produce more content. You avoid getting bogged down in the tiny details that don’t always matter. This doesn’t mean you’re settling for mediocrity; it means you value momentum and consistency.
The 70% Rule: Progress Over Perfection
For content creators, understanding the 70% rule is vital. This concept suggests that if your work feels 70% good, it’s time to put it out there. Aiming for absolute perfection can be paralysing. Instead, focus on getting your ideas into the world and improving as you go. This isn’t a betrayal of your talent. On the contrary, it’s about being smart with your time and resources.
To add perspective, consider the 90/90 rule from game development. It highlights how projects can become exponential time sinks. The first 90% of a game often takes 90% of the total development time, but polishing that last 10% can take another 90% of the time. This illustrates how striving for perfection consumes disproportionate amounts of energy and effort. For creators, this means that obsessing over perfecting the last details can drain your resources and slow down your overall progress.
Think of this as a muscle you’re building. By prioritising regular content creation, you develop your baseline skills. You’ll write faster, communicate clearer, and discover what resonates with your audience. Over time, this consistent practice means you can produce higher-quality content without needing excessive revisions. Instead of falling into the perfection trap, you learn to ship work efficiently and save your time for what truly matters.
Building Skill and Finding Your Audience
Creating content quickly and consistently might seem counterintuitive, but it actually enhances your creative strength. Each piece of work becomes a stepping stone. You learn from your mistakes, refine your voice, and become more confident. This improved skill allows you to “punch higher” when it really counts.
Additionally, a catalogue gives you valuable insights. When you have many pieces of content, you can identify what your audience connects with most. You’ll know when to invest more time and effort into a piece, making it intentional and impactful. Your audience will appreciate the authenticity of your journey, and your content will naturally improve in quality and relevance.
The Journey Inspires Followers
One of the beautiful aspects of having a trail of content is that it shows your evolution. People are often inspired by the progress and growth they see in others. When your audience looks back, they can see where you started and how you’ve improved. These little nuggets of inspiration help them realise they can grow too.
People who resonate with your message will follow you, not just because of your best work, but because they value your journey. They’ll see you as someone relatable, someone who is learning and improving, just like them. The consistency builds trust, and your creative path becomes a source of motivation for others.
Authors Do It, So Can You
Think of book authors. Once they finish one book, they don’t just stop. They’re often already planning or writing their next one. It’s the same with any kind of creator. You keep pushing forward, taking what you’ve learned and applying it to new projects.
By embracing the idea of a catalogue over a masterpiece, you can achieve continuous growth and stay inspired. Don’t let perfectionism slow you down. Instead, focus on getting things done, learning from the process, and connecting with your audience. This way, you’ll be well-prepared to make a real impact when it matters most.
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