The essence of creativity lies in the art of stealing—well, more like borrowing—the brilliance of those who've paved the way before us. Austin Kleon's book "Steal Like an Artist" encapsulates this concept perfectly.
To create, steal.
Innovation isn't about conjuring up something entirely new; it's about taking what works and combining it with your unique perspective. Think about it: The wheel has been turning for centuries, and there's no need to spend unnecessary time and energy reinventing it. Instead, embrace the wisdom of the ages and repurpose it in fresh, imaginative ways.
I thought I’d just throw in this photo of me being an absolute winner :)
Here's the secret: steal like an artist.
Don't be afraid to adopt strategies, methods, and mindsets that successful individuals have already road-tested. Emulate their success by reading their books, absorbing their teachings, and participating in their mentorship programs. It's not about cloning, but about learning from the best to become your best.
Take Brian Tracy's book "No More Excuses: The Power of Self-Discipline" for example. He advocates for a structured approach to self-improvement, highlighting, in the early chapters, the importance of continuously adopting and adapting strategies from more successful and accomplished individuals.
As a budding entrepreneur (and the founder of Softech Ltd, an IT Consultancy and Software Development company based in Rwanda), continuous learning is an intrinsic part of the job. As such, I have made it a habit to surround my digital space with successful and achieved entrepreneurs.
I consume their content—books, podcasts, videos—trying to internalise the lessons they've learned along their journey.
Curating my social media feeds has been a game-changer. When I scroll, I'm met with insights, stories, and strategies from the very leaders and entrepreneurs who inspire me. Surrounding myself with their wisdom sharpens my own perspective, nurturing my growth as an entrepreneur.
Perhaps you convince yourself that you want to be, desiring to be the first to do something. However, the truth is that you just do not know that some variation of what you want to do has already been done elsewhere - on some scale.
From a rational perspective, you are human and have been conditioned to adopt human thought patterns and behaviors. What are the chances that you will do something that is truly original? Slim to none.
In the grand tapestry of creativity, don't hesitate to weave threads from those who've woven before you.
By embracing the wisdom of others, you're not just stealing; you're paving your own path. So, remember, there's no need to reinvent the wheel; instead, steal like an artist and reimagine it anew.
Bear in mind: should you replicate solely from a solitary source, your work lacks originality. However, should you draw inspiration from multiple sources, your creation gains uniqueness.
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