“In O’Brien’s words, “It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique.” — Austin Kleon Failure Copy Share Image
Every new idea is just a mashup or a remix of one or more previous ideas. — Austin Kleon Ideas Copy Share Image
“Find the most talented person in the room, and if it’s not you, go stand next to him.” — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
“The computer brings out the uptight perfectionist in us- we start editing ideas before we have them.” — Austin Kleon Austin-kleon Copy Share Image
There's an intuition learned through our work. Teaching others doesn't mean they can just go out and replicate it. — Austin Kleon Education Copy Share Image
“You have to find a place that feeds you—creatively, socially, spiritually, and literally. Even” — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder. — Austin Kleon Brain Copy Share Image
If you ever find you're the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room. — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
“to be “interest-ing” is to be curious and attentive, and to practice “the continual projection of interest.” To put it more simply:… — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
“Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats.” —Howard… — Austin Kleon Ideas Copy Share Image
“The great thing about remote or dead masters is that they can't refuse you as an apprentice. You can learn whatever you… — Austin Kleon Apprentice Copy Share Image
Collect books, even if you don't plan on reading them right away. Filmmaker John Waters has said, "Nothing is more important than… — Austin Kleon Book Copy Share Image
“But now I realize that the only way to find your voice is to use it. It’s hardwired, built into you. Talk… — Austin Kleon Voice Copy Share Image
“People will misinterpret you and what you do. They might even call you names. So get comfortable with being misunderstood, disparaged, or… — Austin Kleon Misunderstood Copy Share Image
What a good artist understands is that nothing comes from nowhere. All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely… — Austin Kleon Art Copy Share Image
“Don't just steal the style, steal the thinking behind the style. You don't want to look like your heroes, you want to… — Austin Kleon Austin-kleon Copy Share Image
“Watching amateurs at work can also inspire us to attempt the work ourselves. “I saw the Sex Pistols,” said New Order frontman… — Austin Kleon Amateurs Copy Share Image
“chew on one thinker-writer, activist, role model- you really love. Study everything there is to know about that thinker. Then find three… — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
“If you want fans, you have to be a fan first. If you want to be accepted by a community, you have… — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
“you want attention only after you’re doing really good work. There’s no pressure when you’re unknown. You can do what you want.… — Austin Kleon Attention Copy Share Image
“Good” can be a stifling word, a word that makes you hesitate and stare at a blank page and second-guess yourself and… — Austin Kleon Art Copy Share Image
“Don’t worry, for now, about how you’ll make money or a career off it. Forget about being an expert or a professional,… — Austin Kleon Amateurism Copy Share Image
“There isn’t a move that’s a new move.” The basketball star Kobe Bryant has admitted that all of his moves on the… — Austin Kleon Football Copy Share Image
“Always be reading. Go to the library. There’s magic in being surrounded by books. Get lost in the stacks. Read bibliographies. It’s… — Austin Kleon Book Copy Share Image
In the end, creativity isn’t just the things we choose to put in, it’s the things we choose to leave out. — Austin Kleon Creativity Copy Share Image
The minute you learn something, turn around and teach it to others. — Austin Kleon Education Copy Share Image
“Paul McCartney has said, “I emulated Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis. We all did.” — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
“Don't talk to people you don't want to talk to, and don't talk about stuff you don't want to talk about.” — Austin Kleon Austin-kleon Copy Share Image
“Imagine if your next boss didn’t have to read your résumé because he already reads your blog.” — Austin Kleon Boss Copy Share Image
“dress for the job you want, not the job you have, and you have to start doing the work you want to… — Austin Kleon Dress Copy Share Image
“Your job is to collect good ideas. The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced… — Austin Kleon Good ideas Copy Share Image
“That’s why it’s important to get things in front of others and see how they react.” — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
Amateurs know that contributing something is better than contributing nothing. — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
The thing is: It takes a lot of energy to be creative. You don't have that energy if you waste it on… — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
“If you ever find that you're the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.” — Austin Kleon Creativity Copy Share Image
“Modern art = I could do that + Yeah, but you didn’t.” —Craig Damrauer The” — Austin Kleon Art Copy Share Image
Show your work, and when the right people show up, pay close attention to them, because they'll have a lot to show… — Austin Kleon Attention Copy Share Image
“Make stuff you love and talk about stuff you love and you'll attract people who love that kind of stuff. It's that… — Austin Kleon Copy Share Image
“The trouble with imaginative people is that we're good at picturing the worst that could happen to us. Fear is often just… — Austin Kleon Austin-kleon Copy Share Image
“Don't throw any of yourself away. Don't worry about a grand scheme or unified vision for your work. Don't worry about unity--what… — Austin Kleon Dreams Copy Share Image
