Stop overanalyzing, start creating

As leaders, strategists, and creators, we don’t just watch – we dissect. We look at ads differently. We watch YouTube videos differently. We break them down, analyze intent, and reverse engineer the strategy behind them.

Sometimes, this deep analysis sharpens our instincts and helps us create better. Other times, it becomes a trap – endless comparison that keeps us from ever putting our own work into the world.

I fell into that trap. I’d set to-dos like "write my first email" or "draft the article," only to feel stuck staring at the blank page.

That’s when I realized: we either use this "way of being" for learning and growth, or we get stuck in comparison and never create. I chose to create. That’s why I committed to posting a weekly YouTube video in 2025.

I’m only 8 videos in, but I already see the impact. As a verbal processor, video helps me refine my thinking. And YouTube? It’s one of the few platforms where the shelf life of what you create is longer than 24 hours before the next billion social media posts pile in the next day.

If you’re just tuning in, here are my first 8 videos of 2025:

1. ​How to build a marketing task management system using Airtable​
2. ​How to create standard operating procedures (SOPs) easily using Scribe​
3. ​Why it’s so hard to focus (and how to build systems that make it easier)​
4. ​The easiest way to build a simple website in 2025 (Carrd walkthrough)​
5. ​Why telling your story feels so hard (and how to do it anyway)​
6. ​3 internal apps you need to set up now using Airtable​
7. ​How I automated a 300+ page Google Slides presentation (saved 25+ hours with Airtable & Make.com)​
8. ​The order of operations for building a freelance coaching or consulting business​

I’m experimenting with different formats and topics to see what resonates. If any of these stand out, I’d love to hear which ones you find most helpful.

Since it's been a while since I've written, here’s what else I’ve been up to:

1. American Advertising Awards – As president of AAF Greater Rochester, I helped to organize our annual awards show, where 250+ gathered to celebrate outstanding work from our regions agencies, in-house teams, freelancers, and students.
2. Ugandan Water Project – Wrapped up a 12-month engagement leading marketing operations for this nonprofit and traveled to Uganda to meet their 40+ native staff making real change happen.
3. We Can Do This – After a long break, the podcast is coming back. With everything going on, the time feels right. This season will be 10 solo episodes before I decide whether to bring guests back. Stay tuned!

Enough about me. What about you? As I shared on Threads a few weeks ago, social media feels less social than ever. If you’ve gotten this far, find me on social – I’d love to hear what you’re working on!

-Sean

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