Text produced by Amanda Galvão, Advertising and Public Relations student at IDP.
You know that kind of book that captivates you from beginning to end? That's what "Steal Like an Artist" is like. Austin Kleon's book offers insights on how to develop creativity organically. In this article, I'll provide a summary and my opinions on the book.
From the author's point of view, no creation is entirely original, since it depends on a repertoire derived from other creations. However, it is possible to be a creative person; Austin presents 10 techniques, in a clear and accessible way in his book, to enhance creativity.
Steal like an artist
We are a sum of influences. And filtering what we will steal and keep is what makes us artists. In other words, we must choose what will guide us according to our tastes and dreams. We are formed by a collection of information; for Austin, the human being is an archive of thefts that, the fuller it is of its own essence, the more motivation and ideas it has when creating.
Don't wait until you know who you are to begin.
Indeed, achieving self-knowledge is very important. But to get there, you need to do, create, and test. We discover ourselves in our creative process.Research is a major factor in this process; we won't copy one individual or one thing, but rather observe various individuals and things for inspiration.
Write the book you want to read.
Writing about what we enjoy is a very effective way to develop our creativity, since... Curiosity is aroused. Regarding this topic. When we read something we enjoy, we always yearn to learn more about it; channeling that desire into creating is a trigger for creativity.
use your hands
According to the author, using digital tools like computers, cell phones, and others to produce something can hinder our creative process. He recommends a workspace with paper, pencils, and pens, for example, which is considered... analog technology.
Side projects and hobbies are important.
Although we need to read, research, and act to develop our creativity, we must set aside time for "doing nothing" so that the brain can process all the information acquired. Furthermore, having hobbies, even if they have no similarities, is essential. "Don't leave your wishes unfulfilled."In the future, when we look back, it will make sense.
Do a good job and share it with people.
While we are not yet recognized, we have the possibility of acting like amateurs, since there is no pressure of commitments yet; that is, we can explore our potential through experimentation. To achieve recognition, first, "pay attention to something" and second, "invite others to pay attention with you." By identifying and sharing our ideas and passions in a strategic way, we create connections with people.From there, we can share good work, improve in it, and only then be recognized for what we do.
Geography no longer rules us.
Traveling, experiencing different cultures, and creating new experiences broaden our perspective on life. However, we don't need to abandon our connections when we become alone or move. Our connection will remain online. However, if we're not comfortable with that yet, we can enjoy the confinement by creating our own world, reading a book, decorating our room, dreaming and creating.
Be nice, the world is a small town.
According to Austin, we need four things: curiosity, to walk towards knowledge; kindness, to get closer to people; perseverance, to see what is wrong and seek what is right; and a willingness to look stupid. Good opportunities and experiences can arise from these contexts.Using short quotes, the author explains this idea: "make friends, ignore enemies," "stay close to talent," "stop looking for trouble and go do something," "write fan letters," "validation is for your parking permit," "keep a file of applause."
Be annoying, it's the only way to finish a job.
There are 5 important points for the good flow of creativity:
- Taking care of yourself: Respect your own limits, know how to say "no," and pay attention to your daily pleasures and self-care. Set aside time to be with loved ones, exercise, have fun, and rest.
- Staying out of debt: "Live within your means," develop the habit of spending consciously, and don't follow the consumer culture.
- Keeping a stable job: Even if we're not yet in the job we love, having a stable source of income is essential; "being free from financial stress also means freedom for your art." Furthermore, a job can bring us great experiences and establish a routine.
- Arrange a calendar: Planning your work is a good organizational strategy. The idea of consistently doing a little bit every day can lead to good productivity at the end of the year. Marking the day's accomplishments, sticking to plans, and seeing how much we've already managed to achieve is rewarding and motivating.
- Keep a logbook: Writing down the day's experiences in a simplified way can also be beneficial for sharpening creativity, as it helps us remember.
- Marry well: Choosing who to spend your life with can be crucial to our success. Although every human being has flaws, ideally we would have someone who is proud to be multitasking and who helps us live a balanced life, creating an inspiring environment. (This applies to us too).
Creativity is subtraction.
The idea of filtering what we consume makes perfect sense. To follow a line of reasoning, it's necessary to limit what is essential; "nothing is more paralyzing than the idea of unlimited possibilities." Uniqueness makes the project and people's lives more interesting....what we choose not to include in our lives and in our creations. Furthermore, we know that we are limited beings; that being said, using the time, tools, and money we have is the most intelligent way to do something, and this naturally leads us to use our creativity.
Now that you know the 10 golden rules to improve your creativity, will you follow them or continue letting life take its course?
Creativity helps us not only with ideas for good work, but also to live an inspiring and high-quality life, nothing less than we deserve.
