The Power of Learning, Creating, and Sharing in Public

The Power of Learning, Creating, and Sharing in Public

In today's fast-paced world, where information is readily available at our fingertips, it's easy to assume that people are voracious readers. However, according to David Perell, the truth is that most people don't actually read. They rely on the experiences and knowledge passed down through books, articles, and other forms of media. In fact, Perell suggests that 99% of knowledge comes from other people's experiences. This is why reading books is essential for finding good ideas to write about. Perell asserts that 90% of writers' ideas are regurgitated from books, while only 10% are original thoughts.

One of the advantages of reading books sequentially is that it allows us to see how rare it is for anyone to make a huge leap in their ideas. By immersing ourselves in the wisdom of the past, we can gain a broader perspective and understand the incremental nature of progress. This is particularly true when we delve into old books, as they provide us with valuable insights and lessons that are still relevant today.

On the other hand, there's a growing movement that advocates for learning, creating, and sharing in public. This idea challenges the traditional notion of doing in silence and only showcasing the end product. Instead, proponents of this approach believe in showing the process and progress publicly. By doing so, they reap several benefits.

First and foremost, learning and creating in public creates accountability. When we make our goals and intentions known to others, we are more likely to follow through and stay committed. This external pressure helps us push past our limits and accomplish more. Additionally, sharing our progress publicly allows us to build a feedback loop. By receiving input and suggestions from others, we can refine our work and improve our skills. This iterative process helps us grow and develop faster than if we were to work in isolation.

Furthermore, learning and creating in public enables us to see our progress. When we share our journey with others, we can look back and appreciate how far we've come. This sense of achievement and growth is incredibly motivating and encourages us to keep pushing forward. Additionally, by showcasing our work in the public domain, we establish a community and following. This support network not only provides encouragement but also opens doors to collaborations, opportunities, and new connections.

Austin Kleon, the author of "Show Your Work!", emphasizes the importance of letting go of our egos and sharing our process. By doing so, we foster an ongoing connection with our audience, which helps us gain momentum and move forward. Journalist David Carr echoes this sentiment, stating that it's crucial to create and make things with our own hands. In a world where resumes and credentials hold less weight, it is our creations that truly speak for us.

In the pursuit of learning, creating, and sharing in public, it's important to remember that curation can be creation. By curating valuable resources, sharing insights, and providing commentary, we contribute to the collective knowledge and inspire others. The key is to be so good at what we do that people can't ignore us. When we focus on honing our skills and producing high-quality work, our audience will naturally find us.

In conclusion, the power of learning, creating, and sharing in public cannot be underestimated. By immersing ourselves in books and the wisdom of others, we can find inspiration and ideas to fuel our own creations. Simultaneously, by learning, creating, and sharing in public, we create accountability, establish a feedback loop, see our progress, and build a community. Three actionable pieces of advice to implement this approach are:

1. Start by reading more books, especially old ones, to gain valuable insights and expand your knowledge base. This will provide you with a solid foundation for your own ideas and creations.

2. Embrace the idea of learning, creating, and sharing in public. Share your progress, seek feedback, and build a community around your work. This will create accountability, foster growth, and open doors to new opportunities.

3. Focus on honing your skills and producing high-quality work. Be so good at what you do that people can't ignore you. When you consistently deliver value, your audience will naturally find you.

So, embrace the power of learning, creating, and sharing in public. By doing so, you'll not only enhance your own growth and development but also contribute to the collective knowledge and inspire others along the way.