Last year I graduated.
I finished my masters in MSc Marketing and Brand Management from Nottingham Trent University.
It was a great experience. The highlight was that it brought me back to my love of writing.
The habit of sitting in the library for six hours straight to write research papers and a thesis trained my mind muscles.
After submitting my last assignment, I felt I had so much time left.
I was looking for jobs, I was doing a job, yet, there was too much time to sit back and contemplate.
So just like every time, I picked up something new.
I am never satisfied with 1 or 2 things. I want multiple things on my plate to keep me entertained and motivated.
(This could be a potential reason why I averagely do a lot of things and struggle to master one. But we aren’t opening those doors today).
Some Writers…
Then I started following some writers.
The ones that impacted me the most were Dan Koe, Sahil Bloom and Justin Welsh.
I stumbled upon their profiles, one by one, and I was amazed.
First of all — exceptional writers! Their thoughts provoked me and always gave me food for thought.
I also discovered a lot about myself when I indulged in their work. I became addicted to Justin’s website, Sahil’s newsletters and Dan’s podcast.
It brought me to a place where I started questioning the quality of my existing life.
I also believe I manifested this solopreneur lifestyle because day in and day out I was listening to these people. I was feeding my brain with their thoughts.
(If the universe works in mysterious ways then this would be true for me!)
I got so deep into these creators that I joined their groups, even booked tickets to meet them in person, and got my hands on all their resources and potential suggestions they have made.
I was drowning beyond repair!
Vocabulary
While I settled deep into the ocean of their knowledge, I found that each writer has its writing style. They even have their vocabularies.
They have coined new phrases like Justin’s — solopreneurship, Dan’s — value creator and Sahil’s — ripple effects.
I read them so much that every time, I’d follow someone, I could easily spot the writing of these creators. I could read between the thin lines. Their vocabulary, sentence formation, and thought process stood out from the works of those inspired by them.
That’s when it clicked.
All of it.
Emulation
You will all agree that when you consume something too much, you start talking like it. You pick words from your favourite books, Netflix series and even reels.
It stays with you if you keep reiterating it for yourself.
That’s why it is suggested to be mindful of what you consume.
When I studied the creators who were inspired by Dan, Justin and Sahil; I realised something.
These creators, have mixed and matched the inspiration from various sources to create a voice of their own.
It’s simple but not easy.
The idea is to emulate the works of your creator.
Simple concept
Let me explain to you how.
Go back to your school. Think about how you used to memorise the answers to some questions. For me, the process was simple.
I would read something from my textbook, close my textbook and write what I remembered.
In new terminology, it is called the Blurt out method.
This helps you with your memory and you can remember the concepts longer and clearer.
I applied the same method to my creator journey.
Whenever I found an article, reel or post that caught my attention, I would save it.
Then I would listen to it over and over again until my mind started connecting the dots about how it could be applied to my content.
Taking inspiration is a good process once you fully understand how it works.
This might seem complicated at first but I’d suggest you read this over and over again until it makes sense.
TLDR;
- Find your creators/inspirations.
- Make a swipe file.
- Read from loads of platforms.
- Watch what others do and learn from them.
- Emulate and make your mix.
- Synthesis and create new ideas.
- Emulation is not wrong; copying is!
Also, shoot out if you have any questions at the back of it.
I respond to every comment and mail that I receive.
To Building and Becoming,