For Anyone Who Missed it on Substack
This is for anyone who has ever doubted themselves. I spent most of my career convinced I wasn’t creative. Surrounded by designers, writers, and photographers making magic, I thought my role was simple: help them do their thing and stay out of the way. When you’re surrounded by naturally gifted people, it’s easy to believe you don’t belong. That’s the story I carried for years: no design background, no writing degree, no clue what a past participle is. Creativity just wasn’t my thing—or so I thought. When you're surrounded by naturally gifted people, it's easy to tell yourself you're not that person. Not your thing. Stay in your lane. But here's what I learned ( sadly, very late ): Being creative isn't about being the best. It's not about perfect grammar or fancy degrees. It's about having something to say and finding your way to say it. Turns out, I'm a writer. No qualifiers needed. Not because I'm technically brilliant - any English major would have a stroke reading some of my sentences. I'm a good writer because I am an effective communicator. Because sometimes I manage to say something that matters. And yes, because people pay me to do it. If I could become a writer without the traditional path, what else could I create? This question changed everything. Once I understood that being "qualified" wasn't the key to creating value, I started seeing possibilities everywhere. Writing wasn't about mastering rules - it was about connecting ideas with people who needed them. I can do that. What Else Can I Do? We live in a time where technology is tearing down the walls between idea and creation. Tools that once required teams of experts are now available to anyone willing to spend a few hours learning the ins and outs. AI can help code. Design tools are more intuitive than ever. The gap between imagination and reality is shrinking daily. So here I am, the guy who spent years thinking he wasn't creative enough, building things I never thought possible. Apps. Websites. Communities. Me, solo, with nothing but curiosity and modern tech as my team.