I’ve had this book in my library for a very long time, but I haven’t read it until recently. I stayed up until 2AM this morning, reading, taking notes, etc. Generally, it’s a very good read. Quick. Obviously well researched and lots of ideas taken from other writers and thinkers.

I like the way Austin Kleon presents ideas.

Study lots of work from your favorite artists. Copy their style. Learn from the masters.

Fake it until you make it. If you want to be a singer, sing. If you want to be a painter, paint. Make little bits of progress every day.

Art is still made in the real world. Start there. Edit in the digital world.

Listen to our bodies. They feed our brains.

Engage all of your senses in the creation of art. Your senses will add diversity to your work.

Play.

Computers are too sterile. They bring out the perfectionist in us. They don’t lend themselves to creative work.

Austin suggests creating lots of creative projects. What about Focus? How do I make progress on the few things that are meaningful?

Get bored.

Mess around.

Get lost.

Wander.

This is important.

Keep all of your passions in your life. They are there for a reason. If you love different things, spend time with them. Learn about them. Use them. Incorporate them into your work.

Don’t throw any of yourself away.

I need to write more about art and the creative process.

There is no captive audience. Ever. Nobody is sitting around waiting to read your latest book.

Watch your latest movie. Make the best possible thing you and can make and go from there.

Do good work and share it with people.

Make stuff every day.

Give away your secrets.

Surround yourself with books and objects that you love. I find this to be very important. And inspirational. Create your own world.

Embrace beginner’s mind. When the world looks new, our brains work harder.

You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. “Find the most talented person in the room and stand next to him/her.” Be helpful.

Keep a praise file. Put every single email into a single folder.

“Be regular and orderly in your life so that you can be violent and original in your work.” – Gustave Flaubert

It takes lots of energy to be creative. Don’t waste energy on things that don’t matter.

It’s not the money you make, it’s the money you hold onto. Live within your means. Say NO to consumer culture. Couldn’t agree with this more.

Establish and create a routine. Schedule your work. Stick to it. Every single day. Do the work every single day. No matter what. A page a day for a year eventually fills a novel. Don’t break the chain.

Daily effort. Get a calendar. Fill the boxes.

A good partner keeps you grounded. This is very true.

Leave stuff out so you can focus on important things. I leave plenty of stuff out. I say no lots and lots. This is advice I hear over and over again.

Place constraints on yourself. Make things with the time, energy, and money you have now. Don’t wait for the perfect initial conditions. They will never arrive. Embrace limitations and keep moving.