--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Watching amateurs at work can also…" description: "\"“Watching amateurs at work can also inspire us to attempt the work ourselves. “I saw the Sex Pistols,” said New Order frontman Bernard Sumner. “They we..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a3/austin-kleon-1835_amateurs_watching-amateurs-at-work-can-also-inspi_2962110.jpg" --- # Watching amateurs at work can also inspire us to attempt… ![“Watching amateurs at work can also inspire us to attempt the work ourselves. “I saw the Sex Pistols,” said New Order frontman Bernard Sumner. “They were terrible. . . . I wanted to get up and be terrible with them.” Raw enthusiasm is contagious.” quote by Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a3/austin-kleon-1835_amateurs_watching-amateurs-at-work-can-also-inspi_2962110.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a3/austin-kleon-1835_amateurs_watching-amateurs-at-work-can-also-inspi_2962110.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a3/austin-kleon-1835_amateurs_watching-amateurs-at-work-can-also-inspi_2962110.jpg) > ““Watching amateurs at work can also inspire us to attempt the work ourselves. “I saw the Sex Pistols,” said New Order frontman Bernard Sumner. “They were terrible. . . . I wanted to get up and be terrible with them.” Raw enthusiasm is contagious.”” [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Observing raw, unrefined enthusiasm from amateurs can inspire one to embrace boldness and authenticity in creative work. **In simple terms:** Amateur energy can spark creativity. Key Takeaway Embrace raw enthusiasm. Themes creativity inspiration authenticity Mood energetic encouraging Type creative motivational When to use this quote - music practice - writing workshops - DIY projects - creative brainstorming Key Concepts artistic expression motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance authenticity with craftsmanship? - What does “being terrible” mean to you? A Different Perspective Raw enthusiasm may lack skill. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amateurs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amateurs/) [Amateurs Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amateurs-work-4516446/) [Raw Enthusiasm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raw-enthusiasm-4516447/) [Sex pistols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sex-pistols/) [Watching Amateurs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching-amateurs-4516445/) ## Related quotes > [It's always harder to maintain raw enthusiasm or joy than to go into a really dark place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carey-mulligan/it-s-always-harder-to-maintain-raw-enthusiasm-or-joy-than-to-go-into/) [Carey Mulligan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carey-mulligan/) > [“The world is changing at such a rapid rate that it’s turning us all into amateurs. Even for professionals, the best way to flourish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/the-world-is-changing-at-such-a-rapid-rate-that-it-s-turning-us-all-2/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“This is yet another trait of amateurs—they’ll use whatever tools they can get their hands on to try to get their ideas into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/this-is-yet-another-trait-of-amateurs-they-ll-use-whatever-tools-they/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Writer David Foster Wallace said that he thought good nonfiction was a chance to “watch somebody reasonably bright but also reasonably average pay far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/writer-david-foster-wallace-said-that-he-thought-good-nonfiction-was/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“The world is changing at such a rapid rate that it’s turning us all into amateurs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/the-world-is-changing-at-such-a-rapid-rate-that-it-s-turning-us-all/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [Amateurs know that contributing something is better than contributing nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/amateurs-know-that-contributing-something-is-better-than-contributing/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“In his suicide note, Kurt Cobain wrote, "It's better to burn out than to fade away." He was quoting a Neil Young song about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sheff/in-his-suicide-note-kurt-cobain-wrote-it-s-better-to-burn-out-than-to/) [David Sheff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sheff/) > [“An essential difference between British and American punk bands can be found in their respective views of rock & roll history. The British bands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clinton-heylin/an-essential-difference-between-british-and-american-punk-bands-can/) [Clinton Heylin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clinton-heylin/) > [I liked the Sex Pistols' music. I thought it was superb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-page/i-liked-the-sex-pistols-music-i-thought-it-was-superb/) [Jimmy Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-page/) > [I moved to Naples, Florida, and by 15 I was into punk: Green Day, Rancid, NOFX, Operation Ivy. Along with the classic punk bands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/i-moved-to-naples-florida-and-by-15-i-was-into-punk-green-day-rancid/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [My aunt made stuff; my mom was creative, so I was surrounded by that. When I moved to England, it was '75, and everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-cornejo/my-aunt-made-stuff-my-mom-was-creative-so-i-was-surrounded-by-that/) [Maria Cornejo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-cornejo/) > [When I was four, I think I just wanted to make noise. When I was about 10 years old I was given five CDs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliot-paulina-sumner/when-i-was-four-i-think-i-just-wanted-to-make-noise-when-i-was-about/) [Eliot Paulina Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliot-paulina-sumner/) > [Rick Nielsen, Angus Young. Huge Eddie Van Halen fan when I was younger. Jimmy Page is an enormous one who impacts me. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tad-kubler/rick-nielsen-angus-young-huge-eddie-van-halen-fan-when-i-was-younger/) [Tad Kubler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tad-kubler/) > [We had no money, and we had to go through 'punk' school. We ended up living in the rehearsal room that used to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keren-woodward/we-had-no-money-and-we-had-to-go-through-punk-school-we-ended-up/) [Keren Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keren-woodward/) > [I've tried to stay true, in my own fashion, to the ideas of The Sex Pistols, even while I was working with bands like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julien-temple/i-ve-tried-to-stay-true-in-my-own-fashion-to-the-ideas-of-the-sex/) [Julien Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julien-temple/) ## More by Austin Kleon > [“The thing is, you can cut off a couple passions and only focus on one, but after a while, you’ll start to feel phantom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/the-thing-is-you-can-cut-off-a-couple-passions-and-only-focus-on-one/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [Don't think of your website as a self-promotion machine, think of it as a self-invention machine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/don-t-think-of-your-website-as-a-self-promotion-machine-think-of-it/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“We want you to take from us. We want you, at first, to steal from us, because you can’t steal. You will take what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/we-want-you-to-take-from-us-we-want-you-at-first-to-steal-from-us/) [austin kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Validation is for parking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/validation-is-for-parking/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“If you want fans, you have to be a fan first. If you want to be accepted by a community, you have to first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/if-you-want-fans-you-have-to-be-a-fan-first-if-you-want-to-be/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Social media sites are the perfect place to share daily updates. Don’t worry about being on every platform; pick and choose based on what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/social-media-sites-are-the-perfect-place-to-share-daily-updates-don-t/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Writing a page a day doesn't seem like much, but do it for 365 days and you have enough to fill a novel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/writing-a-page-a-day-doesn-t-seem-like-much-but-do-it-for-365-days/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [Be boring. (It’s the only way to get work done.)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/be-boring-it-s-the-only-way-to-get-work-done/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [It sounds a little extreme, but in this day and age, if your work isn't online, it doesn't exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/it-sounds-a-little-extreme-but-in-this-day-and-age-if-your-work-isn-t/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Don't wait until you know who you are to get started. If I'd waited to know who I was or what I was about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/don-t-wait-until-you-know-who-you-are-to-get-started-if-i-d-waited-to/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [Your brain gets too comfortable in your everyday surroundings. You need to make it uncomfortable. You need to spend some time in another land,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/your-brain-gets-too-comfortable-in-your-everyday-surroundings-you/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [Nothing is more paralyzing than the idea of limitless possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/nothing-is-more-paralyzing-than-the-idea-of-limitless-possibilities/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Whenever Picasso learned how to do something, he abandoned it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/whenever-picasso-learned-how-to-do-something-he-abandoned-it/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“The writer Jonathan Lethem has said that when people call something “original,” nine out of ten times they just don’t know the references or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/the-writer-jonathan-lethem-has-said-that-when-people-call-something/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Stock and flow” is an economic concept that writer Robin Sloan has adapted into a metaphor for media: “Flow is the feed. It’s the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/stock-and-flow-is-an-economic-concept-that-writer-robin-sloan-has/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) [Explore all 204 Austin Kleon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) ## More Amateurs quotes > [Dealing with Jazz at Lincoln Center and its board of directors, who are so great, and then seeing how these Rock Hall guys operate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-miller/dealing-with-jazz-at-lincoln-center-and-its-board-of-directors-who/) [Steve Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-miller/) > [I love mixing amateurs and professionals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lasse-hallstrom/i-love-mixing-amateurs-and-professionals/) [Lasse Hallstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lasse-hallstrom/) > [Even virtue is an art; and even its devotees are divided into those who practise it and those who are merely amateurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/even-virtue-is-an-art-and-even-its-devotees-are-divided-into-those/) [Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/) > [Most amateurs are so worried about mis-hitting the shot or hitting it off line, they don't make an aggressive move. You'd be surprised how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-bradley/most-amateurs-are-so-worried-about-mis-hitting-the-shot-or-hitting-it/) [Keegan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-bradley/) > [A lot of amateurs are terrified of going up against a player who is clearly better than they are. They never play their best,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fuzzy-zoeller/a-lot-of-amateurs-are-terrified-of-going-up-against-a-player-who-is/) [Fuzzy Zoeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fuzzy-zoeller/) > [Amateurs look for challenges; professionals look for easy trades. Losers get high from the action; the pros look for the best odds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-elder/amateurs-look-for-challenges-professionals-look-for-easy-trades/) [Alexander Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-elder/) > [Inner beauty is for amateurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-taintor/inner-beauty-is-for-amateurs/) [Anne Taintor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-taintor/) > [There's a myth among amateurs, optimists and fools that beyond a certain level of achievement, famous artists retire to some kind of Elysium where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-matousek/there-s-a-myth-among-amateurs-optimists-and-fools-that-beyond-a/) [Mark Matousek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-matousek/) > [You know, criticism began as the province of amateurs, of wealthy men who liked the arts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-christgau/you-know-criticism-began-as-the-province-of-amateurs-of-wealthy-men/) [Robert Christgau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-christgau/) > [Conor is not emulating me. He has to be his own man and learn his trade from the start. He will fight in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-benn/conor-is-not-emulating-me-he-has-to-be-his-own-man-and-learn-his/) [Nigel Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-benn/) > [We're all amateurs when it comes to love. Don't be too hard on each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/we-re-all-amateurs-when-it-comes-to-love-don-t-be-too-hard-on-each/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [“They were chosen for their perfect ignorance of these things. That is how the system works. In the end, the lawyers and judges happily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-landay/they-were-chosen-for-their-perfect-ignorance-of-these-things-that-is/) [William Landay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-landay/) > [Sometimes, I wish we were all amateurs again. I'd play for nothing. Ab-so-lute-ly free. But that's not the system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-marino/sometimes-i-wish-we-were-all-amateurs-again-i-d-play-for-nothing-ab/) [Dan Marino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-marino/) > [Inspiration is for amateurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/inspiration-is-for-amateurs/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Inspiration is for amateurs,” Close says. “The rest of us just show up and get to work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-currey/inspiration-is-for-amateurs-close-says-the-rest-of-us-just-show-up/) [Mason Currey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-currey/) [Browse all 127 Amateurs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amateurs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Watching amateurs at work can also inspire us to attempt the work ourselves. “I saw the Sex Pistols,” said New Order frontman Bernard Sumner. “They were terrible. . . . 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