by Robert Greene
First book ever that I picked up because I really want to know what all the fuss is about. Will report back.
by Austin Kleon
Bookmark at Page 23
In his first chapter, Austin argues that, every creator is a sum of their influences and the environments they choose. Nothing is completely original. Instead, each of us is a mashup of what we choose to let into your life -may that be media, people, or ideas. We are the sum of our influences.
To be creative, and to come up the ideas you would find worth pursuing, the author advices to let go of the pressure to come up with something truly original. He argues that no idea is truly original. All creative work builds on what came before. Instead of trying to be original, figure out what is worth stealing, study it, move on, and repeat forever. As a creator, your job is to collect good ideas. The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced by.
Actionable Advice #1: Build your influence tree: "Instead, chew on one thinker—writer, artist, activist, role model—you really love. Study everything there is to know about that thinker. Then find three people that thinker loved, and find out everything about them. Repeat this as many times as you can. Climb up the tree as far as you can go. Once you build your tree, it’s time to start your own branch."
Actionable Advice #2: Capture ideas everywhere: "Carry a notebook and a pen with you wherever you go. Get used to pulling it out and jotting down your thoughts and observations. Copy your favorite passages out of books. Record overheard conversations. Doodle when you’re on the phone."
You are, in fact, a mashup of what you chose to let into your life. You are the sum of your influences.
Chapter 1, Page 11
Your job is to collect good ideas. The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced by.
Chapter 1, Page 14