Hey Reader,

I recently saw a post on X that made me laugh, but then it got me thinking seriously about how we approach our work as creators.

What if you had to give a press conference after every major project or launch? What if you were subjected to earnings calls? 😅

Imagine standing at the podium:

The Hard Truth

You'd never hear Tom Brady say he skipped film study to play golf. You wouldn't catch Serena Williams admitting she didn't practice her serve because she was scrolling TikTok.

Yet as creators, we often:

• Start new projects before finishing current ones
• Get distracted by shiny object syndrome
• Skip the "practice" (research, planning, testing)
• Make excuses for missed deadlines

What Pro Athletes Know That Creators Often Forget

The best athletes maintain a laser focus that most creators only dream of. They study game footage of their competition obsessively, review their own performances with a critical eye, and stick to rigorous training schedules. They know the value of working with coaches and mentors, and perhaps most importantly, they stay focused on one goal at a time – whether that's the current season or the next big game.

Sound familiar? It's exactly what successful creators should do too.

Your Creator Training Camp

Here's what treating your content like a pro athlete treats their sport looks like:

Competitive Research

1. Analyze top performers in your niche
2. Review your analytics monthly
3. Track what works (and what doesn't)

Practice Sessions

1. Block focused creation time
2. Develop systems and workflows
3. Improve your core skills regularly

Game-Day Preparation

1. Research thoroughly before creating
2. Plan your content calendar
3. Set clear metrics for success

The Post-Game Interview

Next time you're wrapping up a project or launch, ask yourself:

• Did I prepare as thoroughly as I could have?
• Where did I let distractions win?
• What would I say at the press conference?

Start Where You Are

Here's the thing – even pro athletes started with little league. You don't need to go from zero to Tom Brady overnight.

Want a quick win you can implement today? Try this "One Take Ten" technique:

• Set a 10-minute timer
• Record yourself explaining your core topic
• No editing, no retakes
• Post it wherever you share content

That's it. It's like running a few laps around the track – simple, but it gets you moving.

Remember: The pros don't expect perfection in practice. They just show up consistently and put in focused work. You can start with 10-20 minutes a day. Small, consistent efforts compound just like daily practice drills.

The Championship Mindset

The truth is, we don't have reporters grilling us about our performance. But maybe we should act like we do. That accountability could be exactly what pushes us to the next level.

This week, try approaching your content creation like you'll have to explain your process to a room full of reporters. I bet you'll make different decisions.

Your Next Play

The goal isn't to make you feel bad about Netflix nights or unfinished projects. I’ve been watching Severance and 1923. I have a graveyard of unfinished projects. It's about bringing more intentionality to your creator journey – even if that's just 10 focused minutes to start.

Ready to level up your creator game? Hit reply and tell me: What would your press conference sound like right now?

Keep creating,

Matt

P.S. The best athletes have a team around them for a reason. If you're ready to take your content game to the next level, check out what we have going on in the HeyCreator community.