There’s only one rule I know of: You’ve got to be kind. (Steve Jobs)ĭistance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity. You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. The work you do while you procrastinate is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life. At the end of the copy you will find your self. The only art I’ll every study is the stuff that I can steal from. “Collect ideas, remix and re-imagine to discover your own path,” is a good way to sum up the book. It would be fitting to end this review with some of the useful inspirational quotes in the book: Cited books include What It Is (Linda Barry), Rework (Jason Fried), and Flow (C.

In sum, this pocketbook (little bigger than a CD box) is packed with useful insights on creativity.

“Creativity isn’t just the things we choose to put in, it’s the things we choose to leave out,” advises Kleon. Saul Steinberg says a work of art represents a struggle against limitations. The best way to get over creative block is to simply place some constraints on yourself,” Kleon says.Ī good example here is Dr Seuss, who wrote his bestselling book with only 50 different words. “Nothing is more paralysing than the idea of limitless possibilities.

Choose what you want to leave out of your key work. In an age of information overload and abundance, focus is important. Get a wall calendar which shows you the full year ahead so that you get a good sense of perspective – and also keep a diary or logbook to record your achievements, ups and downs. You can’t be creative all the time, so set a routine – for example, with a regular day job which sets a fixed schedule and exposes you to new people and skills. Show appreciation for the good things you see around you keep a praise file about yourself, and not just a rejection file. Stop fighting and channel your rage into a creative pursuit. The further you travel the more insights you can get a range of good food also helps! But constraints can also act favourably – bad winters or summers can force you to be indoors and work on your projects.

“Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder,” Kleon explains. If you are scared of being plagiarised, share only glimpses of your work. The Internet can be a good incubator and accelerator for your ideas in this regard. Sharing your work and even your thoughts about what you like help you get good feedback and more ideas. “A hobby is something that gives but doesn’t take,” Kleon says. Hobbies are important because they keep you happy.

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