Consume to Create Ratio

Back in 2010, Google CEO Eric Schmidt proclaimed that every two days now we create as much information as we did from the dawn of civilization up until 2003. In 2014 it’s probably more like every hour.

Do you consume more then you create? Have you ever taken stock of how much you consume on a daily basis? We see hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of images during our day.  We are not just bombarded with ads but also user generated content such as the infamous “Listicals” that you so often see on Buzz Feed and not to mention all the social media channels we are on all day!

Being in a creative field we like to keep a balance. We create content for a living but we also enjoy consuming it as well. With so many sources to get content from, it can be easy to fall down the rabbit hole and get lost on the web for hours. We try and diversify our sources of content. We like to step away from the computer often and read books (yes those do still exist and yes they do count as content!) and attend live talks and event. Events can be a great source of content. Speaking to people in different industries is a great way to expand your mind into thinking of ideas you normally wouldn’t have.
Balancing out your consume to create ratio can make you a more well rounded person. Being creative can often relieve stress and increase happiness.  Try and track how much you consume and create each day. A good balance is achievable, but you have to give it conscious effort.