Thread by @jmikolay

I've long struggled with the creative process, and now I realize I'm obsessed with it.

Last month I published the Internet Creator Manifesto Draft 1.0, and asked for comment. This is Draft 2.0, distilled from 750 words to 337.

14 affirmations for creators, by creators:

I show up and give myself permission to create.

I focus on the process, not the outcome. Because I don’t control the process, I surrender to it.

I do what creators have always done: take the counsel of other creators.

I pay close attention and I'm selective about what I pay attention to.

I’m creating well when I’m consuming and experiencing well.

I learn more by creating than consuming.

If I’m curious enough about something, I can’t help but create.

I measure my success by how much I’m following my curiosity.

I think long-term. I know creating isn’t a race against time nor a competition.

Because learning and creating take time, the best time to start is now.

I create and share in the spirit of helping others.

What others have created has helped me. The faster I learn, the more I can help others.

I don’t need to find or impress others, and I don’t need everyone out there to like my work.

I just need to put my work out there.

I don’t know what’s useful or obvious to others.

I share things useful or obvious to me.

The more I share my work, the more I interact with others and discover about myself.

If I create and share enough, I’ll find a style no one else can replicate.

I don’t copy others.

I do create without worrying if others have created something similar to what I’m creating.

I don’t need my own style at the outset.

I do observe, mimic, and learn from others, building on their thoughts and developing my own style.

I promote other creators and tell them when their work is valuable.

I promote my own work so other people don’t have to.

I pare what I create to its essentials, throwing the output back into the process.

I respect anyone who gives their attention to me.

My published work isn’t my final work.

I’m never done creating.

I’d love to iterate on this draft with as many creators as possible, with the goal of creating something that motivates us all.

Comment in this shared doc! docs.google.com/document/d/1kW…

If you want more creators to see this effort, please:

1. Retweet the first tweet
2. Follow me @jmikolay for more