10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Steal Like an Artist

Austin Kleon

Cover of Steal Like an Artist
Steal Like an Artist
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Steal Like an Artist

10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Portrait of Austin Kleon
Written byAustin Kleon

Austin Kleon's short, illustrated manifesto for creativity in a digital age. Nothing is completely original, so learn from your influences, make things and share them.

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  • Published2012
  • GenreCreativity
  • Key ideas5
  • Summary1 min read

Read it if you…

  • feel stuck creatively

The summary

Key ideas in 1 minute.

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  1. 01Nothing is original

    All creative work builds on what came before. Collect influences openly.

  2. 02Don't wait to know who you are

    Start making things and you'll find yourself along the way.

  3. 03Write the book you want to read

    Make the work you wish existed.

  4. 04Use your hands

    Step away from screens; physical tools spark different ideas.

  5. 05Be boring, keep going

    A steady routine leaves energy for bold work.

  6. Want the stories, examples and depth behind these ideas?

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Nothing is original

All creative work builds on what came before. Collect influences openly. Pick one small way to put this into practice before tonight.

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Share one thing you made or learned: a post, a sketch, a short note.

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“Write the book you want to read.”

— Austin Kleon

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Photos via Wikimedia Commons — Austin Kleon: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons