Austin Kleon (born 1983) is a New York Times bestselling author of three books: Steal Like an Artist; Show Your Work!; and Newspaper Blackout.
The best way to get started on the path of sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it in front of others.
Write the book you want to read
You are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life.
In the end, creativity isn’t just the things we choose to put in, it’s the things we choose to leave out.
Show your work, and when the right people show up, pay close attention to them, because they'll have a lot to show you.
So go on, get angry. But keep your mouth shut and go do your work.
You're ready. Start making stuff.
In order to be found, you have to be findable.
Read deeply. Stay open. Continue to wonder.
Be nice. (The world is a small town. )
Nothing is more paralyzing than the idea of limitless possibilities.
We're always being told 'find your voice. ' When I was younger, I never really knew what this meant. I used to worry a lot about voice, wondering if I had my own. But now I realize that the only way to find your voice is to use it. It's hardwired, built into you. Talk about the things you love. Your voice will follow.
The minute you learn something, turn around and teach it to others.
Don't worry about doing research. Just search.
The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced by.
Be curious about the world in which you live. Look things up. Chase down every reference. Go deeper than anybody else--that's how you'll get ahead.
Every new idea is just a mashup or a remix of one or more previous ideas.
You'll either find the answer or you'll come up with a better question.
Your brain gets too comfortable in your everyday surroundings. You need to make it uncomfortable. You need to spend some time in another land, among people that do things differently than you. Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder.
Today isn't just another day. Today I'll create something beautiful.