To Buck Up All The Hackers, Makers, and Dreamers

I'm in my Forties now. And I don't know it all, that's for sure.

But let me know what I DO know:

That urge to become your own boss, break free from hierarchy, and become financially independent, this desire to break free only grows as one gets older.

Blessed are you if you never had this urge, and enjoy working for others and going to your office, or working remote to provide value day in and out.

I loved working for "the man" in my thirties, and still do it with fun part-time. But that urge to be fully independent professionally is still there.

Living on my terms, when and where I want, together with my family and friends.

So. Much. Possibilities.

It can be overwhelming how transparent all those successes- and failed stories have become, shared on social media and many platforms.

It can be quite a bit to take in all that information on how "seemingly easy" making viable stuff can be.
Everybody's sharing how they "did it", making others think about how they could make it.

In 2022, there are so many ways for makers to create products and services. The threshold to make, gift wrap, and sell them has never been this low.

No-code, countless online services, and so, so many free resources that can help to make you share your value and gain you income.

But these abundances also make for desperate times. It can make us feel overwhelmed and lost in a way previous generations never experienced.

You can't copy success

Apparent successful entrepreneurs are holding their "success formula" in front of us makes as if it "the way" to make money. Making us wonder if it could be as easy as acquiring their offer and copying their way to duplicate success once more.

Many people assume that it will work for them the same as it will for the seller, easily forgetting how success bias filters out all the hard work and failed attempts that came before this one success. All the sweat. The tears and many evenings brainstorming and wondering how to reach "their market".

It's on US

Let's back up a little bit, to prevent us from the trap of pointing a finger at others when we're trying to reason why things aren't going as fortunate for us.

Because the naked, cold truth is that it's upon ourselves to become a success.
No matter how many resources, aids, friends and like-minded souls you have; if YOU aren't willing to put in the effort, the work, and mindless hours of figuring out what your added value is, nothing will lead you to the results you are longing for.

Learning as we go

That all being said, now in my forties, I also find comfort in the knowledge of what I've learned so far.

In the confirmation that there are no "quick routes" or "easy paths" that can be magically bought as a PDF, online course or platform.

All that is being offered are Lego stones for you to find, pick up, and put into place for the construction that will let you make your added value acquirable by others.

It is often said that the road itself, the journey, is what is worthwhile doing in life.
Then think of all those things that can help you on your way as the suspension, the seatbelt and the navigation of your vehicle.
They are all means to help you get to your destination a little smoother, and focus on the road ahead instead of how to get into motion towards your goals.

Getting better after each try

Dear maker, if anything, let me tell you this:

Do not despair when things go south ways or people tear down what you put in front of them.

Take comfort in the fact that it's all doing you a favour: the favour of preventing you in taking more time, money and effort into creating something that isn't viable.

Say "thank you for preventing me going further down this path" with your chin held up high, and celebrate your lesson learned instead of mourning for your lost attempt.

Pick up the parts that you can reuse, and get on with your next step forward.

Go on into another direction or create that better version to find freedom and time to live your life the way you want to.

Get to your destination the way that works for you, wherever that will be, and try to be aware of & enjoy every moment that you spend in getting there.

Be your own hero

You start to become your own hero the moment you take your own fate in your hands, take responsibility, and provide value to others.

Never let anyone make you doubt that.

Now open up your tools, spin up those tunes in your speakers, and get back to making something that you can ship.

Create. Value. First.

✌🏻

This post was also published on my Medium profile