The Trap of NOT Making Videos

Summary

Peter McKinnon shares insights on the creative struggle of overthinking and procrastination in content creation. He emphasizes the importance of not delaying the execution of ideas and highlights how overthinking can prevent progress. McKinnon reflects on his own journey of balancing photography with video-making, urging creators to act on their ideas promptly. His message is clear: don't get caught up in perfecting your plans—focus on execution and consistency. By sharing personal challenges, McKinnon reassures creators that even with years of experience, they still face similar insecurities and struggles, making this a relatable and motivational message.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Trap of Not Making Content: Avoid delaying your creative work. The more time between ideation and execution, the less likely you are to actually create something.
• 😀 Don't Overthink: While it's important to care about your content, overthinking can prevent you from actually making it. Don't wait too long before filming.
• 😀 The Power of Consistency: Just like a muscle, making videos needs to be practiced consistently to improve. The more you create, the better you'll get at it.
• 😀 Prioritize Execution Over Perfection: The more you delay making content in pursuit of perfection, the more you risk never finishing it.
• 😀 Focus on One Craft: It’s difficult to master everything at once. Prioritize what you’re most passionate about and improve that craft before spreading yourself too thin.
• 😀 Embrace Small Ideas: Even seemingly trivial topics, like what’s in your pockets, can be valuable content if you're genuinely interested and passionate about it.
• 😀 Enjoy the Process: The fun you have making a video will translate to the audience. Enjoyment and authenticity lead to better content and better viewer engagement.
• 😀 Make Content About What You Love: If you're passionate about a subject, that will show in your content, and your audience will feel that energy.
• 😀 Don't Let Fear of Judgment Stop You: It's easy to dismiss ideas or hold back, thinking others won’t care, but creating content you love will always find its audience.
• 😀 Content Creation is a Continuous Journey: Even with years of experience, content creators face challenges, doubts, and insecurities. We're all human, and it’s okay to learn and grow through the process.

Q & A

What is the main challenge Peter McKinnon addresses in this video?

Peter McKinnon addresses the challenge of overthinking and procrastination in content creation, specifically the struggle of not turning ideas into videos and letting too much time pass between ideation and execution.

What advice does Peter give to content creators struggling with execution?

Peter advises creators to not let too much time pass between having an idea and executing it. He stresses that the best time to create is when you're most excited about the idea, and delaying the execution will reduce the chances of actually making the content.

How does Peter relate content creation to muscle training?

Peter compares content creation to muscle training, explaining that just like muscles need to be exercised to get stronger, content creation requires constant practice and execution to improve and maintain creativity.

What is the significance of prioritizing one skill over multiple interests, according to Peter?

Peter suggests that focusing on one skill at a time, such as photography or filmmaking, is essential for growth. Trying to master multiple skills simultaneously can hinder progress, so it's important to choose a focus and excel at it before moving on to other areas.

What is the personal reflection Peter shares about his content creation journey?

Peter reflects on his journey, mentioning that he initially made content without much planning or overthinking (2017 version of himself), but now he spends more time refining his ideas and crafting better videos, which can lead to delays in execution.

Why does Peter feel the need to film again after focusing on photography?

Peter feels the need to film again because, after spending a lot of time focusing on photography, he has realized that there are many stories and moments that would have made great videos but were not captured, and now he wants to reconnect with filmmaking.

How does Peter address self-doubt regarding his content?

Peter admits to struggling with self-doubt, often wondering if people will care about his ideas. Despite this, he encourages creators to follow through with their content, as passion and enthusiasm for a topic will resonate with the audience.

What does Peter think about the relationship between having ideas and executing them?

Peter believes that while it's easy to have ideas and talk about them, the real challenge is executing them. He highlights that execution is crucial for progress, and the more time spent on ideation without action can result in missed opportunities.

What role does the sponsor, Squarespace, play in Peter's video?

Squarespace is the sponsor for the video, and Peter promotes their all-in-one platform for building websites, mentioning its user-friendly design tools, payment options, and how it helps creators establish a professional online presence.

What does Peter encourage viewers to do in the future?

Peter encourages viewers to leave comments about what they want to see next, as he has many ideas but needs to execute them. He also shares his excitement about creating new content, including videos related to his new Ford Bronco.