Discover the Joy of Making

Have you ever felt that creative spark within you, itching to be set free? Maybe it's the urge to paint a canvas, write a novel, or design something innovative. Yet, the fear of not being “good enough” often keeps us anchored in safe harbors. What if you could embark on a creative journey without the pressure of perfection? What if making something wasn't about being the best but about finding joy in the process itself?

Austin Kleon's book, "Steal Like An Artist," which highlights the importance of embracing influences and building upon existing creations. It's about embarking on your own artistic journey, not in a vacuum, but by learning from the masters who came before you.

Kickstart Your Creative Journey

Austin Kleon demystifies the creative process by encouraging us to collect and curate ideas that inspire us. Drawing inspiration from Kleon’s principles, here are some powerful pointers to kickstart your creative journey.

1. Collect Good Ideas: Carry a notebook and pen to capture thoughts, observations, and inspiring quotes. Build a "swipe file" (digital or analog) to store things you find worth stealing (borrowing with permission for inspiration.

2. Climb Your Own Family Tree: Instead of randomly following trends, delve deep into the work of a creative thinker you admire. Then, explore the influences that shaped their work. This way, you build your own artistic lineage.

3. School Yourself: Be curious! Research, chase down references, and delve deeper than anyone else. Embrace the power of Google to fuel your learning.

4. Don't Wait to Find Your Voice: Nobody is born with a signature style. Learn by imitating your heroes, but remember, it's about understanding their creative process, not simply copying their work.

5. Imitation is Not Flattery: There's a difference between copying and emulating. While imitation involves mimicking the surface, emulation involves understanding the "why" behind the style and transforming it into your own voice.

6. Embrace the Imposter Syndrome: Feeling like a fraud is normal. Most creative people grapple with self-doubt. Just show up and create every day, even if you feel like a beginner.

7. Fake It Till You Make It: Think of the creative process as a performance. Set the stage, put on your metaphorical costume, and dedicate time to make things happen.

8. Don’t Seek Validation: Don't seek external validation for your work. True fulfillment comes from the creative journey itself. Not everyone will understand your art, but that's okay.

9. Keep Your Day Job: While financial security allows you to focus on your passion, a day job can provide structure and routine. Schedule dedicated creative time within your daily life.

10. Choose What to Leave Out: Feeling overwhelmed by possibilities is a common creative roadblock. Sometimes, limitations breed freedom. Embrace constraints to spark new ideas.

Setting sail on your creative quest is about embracing the joy of making and finding inspiration in the everyday. By applying Austin Kleon’s principles, you can navigate your artistic journey with a sense of purpose and adventure. Remember, the essence of creativity lies not in the end product but in the process of exploration and transformation.

Embark on your journey, collect ideas, experiment boldly, and remember—every artist is a collector. Build your unique creative voice by curating influences, and let your art be a testament to the joy of discovery. What a good artist understands is that nothing comes from nowhere; your creativity is a reflection of the world you choose to see and transform.