STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST: 10 THINGS NOBODY TOLD YOU ABOUT BEING CREATIVE BY AUSTIN KLEON - A REVIEW

126 paged text of Kleon is truly inspiring. The artistical features that married the simplicity of the message therein will hold you captive till you get to the end of it. It’s truly stuff that I personally never been told except through the book. It’s somehow a break from the norm as it emphasized that for one to be creative, first, must be a creative thief, somehow awkward right? But it’s indeed a fact. One must be skilled enough to steal the ideas of many, internalize them and give birth to their own masterpiece. Everyone must have learned, copied or steal from others. It is a book that every beginner in creative world would not be sufficient from.

 

Here are the 10 things Austin took us through:

1.       STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST

Steal Like an Artist Austin argue that the concept of ‘original’ is but a vague as somehow, we mould our works after copying from others. “When you copy from one person, it’s plagiarism but when you copy from many, it’s a research. So, it’s the knowledge of knowing what to copy, how to copy it that makes the original version of your work. Therefore, hesitate not, to read as much as you can, identify different styles and the original you will be born.

2.       DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE TO GET STARTED

Waiting produces nothing but more waiting. Get involve, enjoy the ride and in the process, you will discover yourself. Austin emphasized that people discover themselves along the way, nobody figures out everything before embarking, but it’s the adventure that unfold the potentials in us.

3.       WRITE THE BOOK YOU WANT TO READ

Do not limit your work to what you know, Austin actually thought, this is how boring materials came into our spheres. Rather, one is ought to write what they like, what entices them, pour out the passion not just the knowledge. Read a book and write its sequel based on your own fantasy, imagine how you wanted the sequel to go and document it. Try to always concentrate on your likes rather than the ‘know’ side and that will produce marvelous ideas.

4.       USE YOUR HANDS

Hands are indeed magical especially with the technology where we are all consumed by computers and phones. Going analogue does help in making one to be creative. Try developing your ideas on paper, doodle through your jotters, scribble your thoughts and use computer/phone as the finishing tool of your craft. Austin encouraged creating an analogue space in your office too.

5.       SIDE PROJECTS AND HOBBIES ARE IMPORTANT

Hobby is an activity that you do, not for fame or money, but because it makes you happy. Use it as a refuge from you project. One may even be lucky to make money out of their hobbies. Austin urged introduction of simultaneous projects/tasks. When you get bored of one, then you will switch to the other.

6.       DO GOOD WORK AND SHARE IT WITH PEOPLE

In order to develop, one must follow these simple two steps; doing the good work and sharing it with people. Remember, the work must be good and that takes a lot of time and energy. Then share it, especially now with internet, sharing gets easier. Try and wonder at something that people pay no attention to, and reveal your passion to people, art is not magic, no penalty in revealing your secret.

7.       GEOGRAPHY IS NO LONGER OUR MASTER

Place is still important as it has other influences upon our decisions and scope of our orientation. But with internet, you can associate with like and better minds wherever they might be on the planet and they can mentor you and encourage you to reach greater heights.

8.       BE NICE

The World Is a Small Town Kindness is all that you’ve got to share limitlessly. Never make an enemy out of a friend no matter what. Associate yourself with great mind, you are as good as the circle you interact with. Find the most talented person in the room and sit next to him, hang out and try to help him. If you’re the most talented person, you need to find another room.

9.       BE BORING

It’s the Only Way to Get Work Done Austin is of the opinion that boredom is like a fuel in accomplishing assignments. Encouraged taking care of oneself, staying out of debt, developing a regular routine, have a calendar and a log book too. This will enable you to break your goals into smaller achievable blogs and keep you focus. And don’t also forget to marry well for that will be your lifetime partner.

10.   CREATIVITY IS SUBTRACTION

The thought that you can do absolutely anything is terrifying to Austin. One must embrace their limitations and keep moving. Austin further opined that creativity is not just what the things we choose to put it but also the things we choose to leave out. Those who get ahead must have figured out what to leave out and channel their concentration on what is important to them.

 

If there’s one big takeaway from this book, will not be far from demystifying the concept of creativity which simply says everyone can be creative and you can start it right away. It unravels the notion of talent that everyone can uncover their own power through learning from others, and the presence of internet made it even easier to tap into many bright heads available and lean from them. 6 Jan. 2023