Steal like an artist

It’s so simple to be creative - much simpler than you what you thought it will be

PRODUCTIVITYBOOK SUMMERY

Austen Kleon

2/9/20253 min read

  1. Steal like an artist:

    Decide : Worth stealing ? Y/N .. Then move to the next thing … Garbage IN - Garbage OUT .

    Fact : Nothing is ORIGINAL .. Just embrace influence.

    School Vs Education … Education : Be curious / Google everything / Always read books.

    Always Hold a NOTEBOOK & a PEN wherever you go … Grace anything worth stealing.

  2. Get Started :

    Your are ready , just SHOW UP + DO YOUR THINGS everyday

    Fake it till you make it.

    Start COPY , COPY , COPY .. know who to copy from (your hero) and what to copy (steal the thinking behind the style)

  3. Write the book you want to read:

    Whenever at loss of what is NEXT step - ASK : What would make a better story? .. Write the story you want to read.

  4. Use your hand:

    Motion — kick start — Brain >> into thinking.

    Computer: not good for generating Ideas (bec. of quick editing).

    The author has 2 disks in his office - Analogue ( with Pen , papers and notebooks ) + Digital for execution and sharing.

  5. Side-projects and Hobbies:

    A sort of productive procrastination. If out of ideas >>>> Take time to be bored ( e.g. washing dishes , long walk or stare at the wall ..etc. ) .

    Take time to mess around and Get lost with it (a way to mind focus) . It makes you happy as keeping your passion for life.

  6. Share your good work:

    No pressure -When you are unknown- Take the chance as you will never get that FREEDOM again , once people start paying attention.

    Do Good work. It is a hard work ( no shortcut ), If failing >> Just get better. Thing about things no-one else wonder about.

    Share your work. So simple . Internet is a container that inspire us to fill.

    People love when you give your secrets away. Open up - Invite people - Learn more and more.

    Remember , You are as good as your last post. Connect with people who love same things as you.

    To start with : Share your dots , without connecting them.

  7. No more geography :

    Build your own world on the internet + with your own books. All you need is SPACE + TIME.

  8. Be nice :

    Make friends , Ignore enemies. Stand next to talent . Make things and quit picking fights .

    Write a fan letter.. Be too busy doing your work , to care about people opinion. Make a Praise file.

  9. Be boring - Only way to get work done - Consistancy

    Be regular and orderly . .Take care of yourself , at is takes energy to be creative. It is better to burn out than to fade away.

    Learn more about money . Keep your day job ( Money - connection with the world - keep your routine )

    Get a calendar ( Plan your work - focused goals - keeps you on track ) : Fill boxes and most important don’t break he chain. Keep doing a little bits efforts every day ( Build career and get work done ) .

    Keep an everyday log-boo.

  10. Creativity = Subtraction:

    Choose what to leave out. With the right constrains , you will have your best work.

    Creativity killers : time - money - colours - getting what you want.

    Keep moving - Embrace our limitations.

    Thanks Austen-kleon