The Bare Maximum

Hey honeys and hustlers,

You need much less than you think to make a real impact. Meaningful creation doesn't require extensive resources or perfect conditions. We frequently fall into the trap of thinking we need more - more time, more money, more equipment, more knowledge - before we can begin. The most influential projects often start with minimal ingredients. Many successful novels were written on basic notebooks. Revolutionary businesses have started in garages. Influential movements began with single conversations. Groundbreaking art has been created with simple tools.

The core requirements for making an impact are surprisingly simple:

1. A clear vision and purpose

2. Consistent dedication to your craft

3. Willingness to learn and adapt

4. Authentic connection with your audience

I’ve been playing around with this concept of the “bare maximum” instead of the “bare minimum.” The bare maximum isn't about having everything before you start - it's about maximizing the impact of what you already have. The concept of the bare maximum challenges the notion that we should always settle for less just because of our current circumstances. Many of us have been conditioned to play it safe, seek stability, and [insert your favorite code phrase for getting a “real” job with benefits and a retirement plan]. Even as an in-house creator, you can still be entrepreneurial and create for fun outside of your job requirements. Having an entrepreneurial mindset is really just about giving ourselves permission to dream bigger and achieve more. The more you can remove the barriers between you and your goals, the more you allow creativity and impact to flourish naturally.

In a recent podcast episode, I spoke with Sara and she gave an interesting stat: 1 in 7 people are naturally entrepreneurial. I wouldn’t count myself in that number, yet I've been a full-time freelancer for over 4 years. Having an entrepreneurial mindset is something that I feel can be taught and applied to various degrees. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to start your own business, but it does help you become innovative when problem-solving or creating. And the world needs more innovation. The world needs what you’re creating.

If you enjoyed this article, consider upgrading to a paid subscription! Paid members will soon be getting a full review of everything I’ve learned in building this community in the 1st year and a behind-the-scenes look at how I’m building my first video courses. Annual plans are 50% off until December 7th!

We’re upgrading our paid subscription to include more than just an extra post per week. Let me know what would be most valuable to you in this poll:

In Readworthy News

// Adobe Podcasts has launched the second version of Enhanced Speech. Yes, I went back and looked for this tweet, because they actually made some desired changes. This newly minted version allows you to remove background noise and music, customize the strength of the noise removal and reduction, and enhance volume and clarity no matter where you (or your mic) are. There are free and premium plans if you want to try it out or go all in. Adobe Podcast Premium comes with Adobe Express Premium, their Canva competitor, which allows you to design podcast cover art, social posts, and more. With podcast templates and translation tools, there’s a lot to love for podcasters.

If you made it this far and enjoyed this article, consider sharing it on social media or with someone who would enjoy it. If you’re new here and want to catch up on previous articles, you might like this one:

Please Hustle Responsibly,

🤙🏾✨

If you’d like to engage with this community, here are a few ways you can do that:

Forwarded this article? Your friends have good taste. Sign up here.

Join the Creator Database. The best place to connect with the incredible folks in this community. View and join the database here.

Have a question? Submit your question here or leave a voice message.

Advertise with us. Get your brand in front of 600+ creators, founders, and marketers by sponsoring a YouTube video, podcast episode, or this newsletter. Reach out at [email protected].