In this book, Austin Kleon explains that one can become creative by stealing ideas from others. But he emphasizes that copying someone’s work exactly is not possible. In the process of copying someone’s work, one might add her unique flavor to that work and get success. He talks about being specific about whose ideas to steal. According to him, stealing just someone’s style is not sufficient but one should steal the thinking behind that style. The reason behind this is if one understands the thinking behind that style then she truly gets a glimpse of a person’s mind. One quote from the book by cartoonist Gary Panter, which I like is, ‘’If you have one person you’re influenced by, everyone will say you’re the next whoever. But if you rip off a hundred people, everyone will say you’re so original.’’
Apart from this, the book gives some other tips about being creative. One of which is that if one has more than one passion then it is not necessary to focus only on one. Doing that will cause suffering. Instead, give time to each passion and the mixture of these passions will be a better version. Overall, I would say it is a great little book to add a touch of creativity to life.
The self help side of his work is positive an self-affirming. Follow your interests while embracing trends and ideas that attract you. Try to stay out of debt. Work smart. Be aware and “discover your own path.” Overcome fears and insecurities by sharing your work, getting it seen or read or heard with even the smallest exposure and continue to push it out there.
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