"Stealing Creativity: 5 Lessons from 'Steal Like an Artist'"

As someone who has always struggled with creativity and the dreaded "blank page syndrome," I was excited to get my hands on Austin Kleon's "Steal Like an Artist." And let me tell you, this book did not disappoint!

Here are a few things that "Steal Like an Artist" taught me:

It's okay to borrow ideas. In fact, it's encouraged! As Kleon says, "nothing is completely original." By embracing the fact that we are all standing on the shoulders of giants, we can free ourselves from the pressure to constantly come up with new ideas and instead focus on making connections between existing ideas and making them our own.

The best way to learn is to imitate. When we first start out in any field, it's natural to want to mimic the style and techniques of our heroes. This not only helps us understand their work, but it also helps us find our own voice and style. By mimicking their style, we will find our own style in the journey.

It's important to have a " good thief's mentality." Do good theft, for example, if you steal something from someone honor them instead of degrading, give credit to them instead of plagiarize, remix instead of ripping off. Infact, steal from many instead of steal from one. That's the sign for good theft. Kleon encourages us to be curious and constantly on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration. Whether it's through reading, traveling, or simply observing the world around us, it's important to keep our eyes and minds open to new possibilities.

Creativity is a muscle that needs to be exercised. Like any muscle, creativity needs to be exercised regularly in order to stay strong. This means setting aside dedicated time for creative pursuits, even if it's just a few minutes a day. Kleon said, Be boring, that's the way to get work done. "You don't need to be a genius." Creativity is not reserved for a select few "geniuses." Instead, it is something that can be cultivated and developed through practice and perseverance.

Don't be afraid to "steal" from yourself. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that everything we create needs to be brand new. But as Kleon points out, sometimes the best ideas come from taking something we've already created and building upon it. Your unique perspective and interests are what make your work original. Embracing your quirks and passions can help you create work that is truly authentic and meaningful.

A small hack :)

Kleon says 'Keep a praise file'. Whenever people says nice words to you, put it in the praise file. So, whenever those dark days roll around, open the file and get through those words, you will get some boost. Use it gently - don't get lost in the past but keep it around you.

"Inspiration is like a squirrel - hard to catch and likely to run off with your sandwich." Don't wait for inspiration to strike, go out and seek it out instead. Go and Start making stuff.

Overall, "Steal Like an Artist" is a refreshing reminder that creativity is not some mysterious, untouchable talent that only a select few possess. It's a skill that can be cultivated and nurtured, and it's never too late to start. So go out there and start stealing (in the most positive sense of the word, of course)!

"The only thing standing between you and your creative dreams is a lack of coffee and procrastination." Keep a steady supply of coffee on hand and try not to put things off until the last minute.

Have a nice day/night. 1..2..3 Say cheese :)