MDMZ
patreon
5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started
🕑 Added 2025-02-16 10:03:28 +0000 UTCWhen I started creating, I had no idea where it would take me. I didn’t have a roadmap, no guaranteed outcome, just an obsession with making cool things. Whether you’re just getting into AI, VFX, or motion graphics, I want to share some of the lessons I wish someone had told me early on.
1. Skills Matter More Than Tools
It’s easy to get caught up in what software or AI tool you should be using. But tools change. Skills stay. Instead of chasing the latest thing, focus on the fundamentals, composition, lighting, timing, and storytelling.
For example, if you want to understand animation at a deep level, you should watch this amazing video titled "The 12 Principles of Animation" rather than focusing on specific software. These principles apply to any animation tool and help you create smoother, more natural movement.
2. Perfection is Overrated
I used to obsess over getting everything perfect(still do sometimes, guilty). But perfection is an illusion, and chasing it will slow you down. Instead, aim for good enough to share. Every project you release teaches you something and moves you forward. If I had waited until I felt "ready," I wouldn't have posted half the things that helped me grow.
There’s a great quote by Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn, called "If you’re not embarrassed by your first product, you’ve launched too late." It perfectly captures why shipping is more important than perfection.
3. You Learn By Doing, Not Just Watching
Growth comes from action, not passive consumption.. Tutorials are great, but they don’t replace practice. If you watch a tutorial, make sure you apply what you learned in a real project. Experiment. Break things. Solve problems. The real skill comes from the hours you put into creating, not from knowing which button to click.
Read "Make it Stick", a book on how real learning happens through doing, testing, and refining, not just memorizing information.
4. Consistency Beats Inspiration
There will be days you don’t feel like creating. That’s normal. The key is to show up anyway. Set small goals. Make something, even if it’s bad. Consistency is what separates those who dream of being creators from those who actually become one.
James Clear’s book, Atomic Habits, has one of the best frameworks for building creative habits. He talks about the importance of small, consistent actions over time rather than waiting for motivation.
5. The Best Opportunities Come from Sharing Your Work
Some of my biggest career breaks happened because I put my work out there. If you’re sitting on projects, waiting for the perfect moment to share them, stop. Post them. Even if you think they’re not "good enough." You never know who’s watching or what doors it could open.
A must-read on this is Austin Kleon’s book, "Show Your Work!" It’s all about why sharing your creative process(even your unfinished work) leads to better opportunities and growth.
----------------------------------------------
No one starts out knowing everything. The best thing you can do is take that first step, no matter how uncertain it feels. Focus on learning, experimenting, and staying consistent, and before you know it, you’ll look back and see just how far you’ve come.
So, what’s your next step? Let’s talk, drop a comment, and share what lesson resonates with you the most, or what you wish you knew when you started!
Comments
Marcus Lam
What are the few ways to monetize this skillset?
