Simple (But Effective) Pieces Of Advice I'd Give Anyone Starting To MAKE Things

I have been MAKING things for 8 years.

These are the 3 simple (but effective) pieces of advice I'd give anyone starting out (or who wants to get started):

Advice #1: Don't Compare Yourself To People Online

We've all seen an amazing project online, followed all the steps, and wondered why our project looked terrible in comparison.

What took me several months to realize was that a single YouTube video or Instagram post rarely (if ever) shows the growth of the Maker. Everyone starts out knowing nothing and has to learn it all, but all we see is the final result. Most Makers online don't show the failures, but only the best results (although, see yesterday's article for Makers who do).

Instead of comparing yourself to people online, compare your current project to your last project so you can see your own progress.

Advice #2: Focus On The Project Needs, Not The "Best" Tools

I love a cool new tool or gadget, but I realized my focus needed to be adjusted.

When you have some projects completed, it's so easy to slip into tool acquisition mode just so you have more tools in your workshop (after all, the Makers you see online have full shops of tools). When you're starting out, you don't know what you like with tools anyway. Instead of buying "the best tools", get the cheapest version you can and learn how to use it extensively (you can always upgrade it later once you really understand what you think about it).

I read this advice in "Every Tool's A Hammer" by Adam Savage and wish I had read it sooner when I was acquiring my first sets of tools.

Advice #3: Build Projects Themed To YOUR Obsessions

When you're getting inspiration online, it's easy to see someone make something based on something you're not interested in, but you like the project and want to make it anyway.

Star Wars is what I usually theme my builds after, but I wouldn't want someone to make what I did if they don't like Star Wars (as wrong as they might be because Star Wars is AMAZING). Instead of building the exact same project someone else did, put your own spin on it and theme it to an obsession of yours. Not only will you learn more by not following someone else's plans, but you'll work your creative muscles and get better at pulling together different ideas into something new.

Theming projects does make them take longer, but I strongly believe that it is the key to continuing to enjoy Making things for yourself.

Honestly, I wish someone had told me these 3 things earlier in my Maker journey.

But I'm at least glad I can pass them along to you.