How to make (great) things
A personal list
Cultivate curiosity and a love for learning. You'll need fuel for long journeys.
Don't be afraid to feel embarrassed about your creations. They will be terrible half of the time.
Develop your taste as much as your skills. There will come a point where choosing what to create is more important than making it.
Rely on other people's ideas. Don't execute other people's ideas.
Be comfortable with going against the norm, but also try to persuade others to join you.
Keep a detailed record of your journey. You'll need it to remind yourself of the good times when things get tough.
Avoid using big words, trendy expressions, and jargon. They are like empty calories and will not provide you with much substance.
Criticism can be of low or high quality. Only take the high-quality criticism seriously.
Show up every day, but take a step back at certain intervals to reevaluate whether it's still worth it. Don't fall for the sunk cost fallacy.
Data alone cannot sustain passion. Make sure you have a deeper, personal connection with the thing you're creating.