Nov 9, 2024

The Cult of Done: My Journey to Becoming a Maker

What if failure counted as 'done'? Discover how a simple manifesto can help you overcome creative paralysis and find your identity beyond your job title.

#1about 3 minutes

A personal story of becoming a software maker

The speaker shares their journey of growth and finding identity as a software engineer by embracing the "maker" mindset.

#2about 2 minutes

Facing existential dread in a software career

A feeling of being lost and directionless in a software engineering career prompts a search for purpose beyond just writing code.

#3about 3 minutes

Discovering the true definition of a maker

Adam Savage's definition of a maker as anyone who creates something from nothing provides a powerful and inclusive starting point.

#4about 4 minutes

Using the Cult of Done manifesto as a guide

The Cult of Done's first principle—the three states of not knowing, action, and completion—provides a clear framework for any creative project.

#5about 1 minute

Letting go of perfection for "good enough"

By learning to "throw away" completed work, you can focus on iterative learning and avoid sacrificing good results in pursuit of an abstract ideal of perfection.

#6about 5 minutes

Reframing failure as a necessary part of creation

Treating failure and mistakes as valid forms of "done" is crucial for learning and removes the fear that paralyzes the creative process.

#7about 3 minutes

Why direct experience trumps outside opinions

Getting your hands dirty is the only way to truly learn, and protecting your early creative process from outside feedback is essential for developing your own voice.

#8about 2 minutes

How finishing projects creates powerful momentum

The principle "done is the engine of more" highlights how completing projects, no matter how small, builds compounding experience and motivation for future work.

#9about 2 minutes