For your next idea, steal like an artist

In a rut? Need some inspiration for your next idea? You will spend no better 5 minutes than reading Austin Kleon’s post Steal Like an Artist. The self-proclaimed “writer who draws” has the seeds for his next book in a presentation of “10 things I wish I’d heard when I was in college.” Aimed at artists and writers, it’s still very useful in business and is great web content since you can read it two ways:

1) Read the sparse slides (a 90-second read).

2) Read the slides with notes (a 5-minute read).

I’ll stay away from summarizing (I mean, it’s just 90 seconds of your time), but my favorite point is #2:

Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things.

I see so many folks do so much planning and second-guessing, that it’s hard to get the creativity going. I’m older now, time is short. I want to get it right, but I know I need to start making things, and then edit, redefine, ask for help. That belief is fueled by a favorite quote of mine, “Don’t get it right, get it written.” Thanks to Stephen King for that one, and a tip of the hat to Ramona, who emailed this link to her team and started good water-cooler conversations.

And #8 is a pretty good rule, too.

--Doug Thomas