Show Your Work!
5.0
13 min

Show Your Work!

by Austin Kleon

Brief Summary

“Show Your Work” by Austin Kleon offers valuable insights on overcoming your fears and sharing your passions and talents with others. The author explains how showing your work to the world will help you improve yourself. This book is for those who strive to get inspired and inspire others!

Key points

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Key idea 1 of 9

One of the biggest creative myths that fool many of us is that you have to be a master of your craft to create and share your work with others. According to people who believe in this myth, creativity is not a skill that can be improved through practice but a gift that one receives at one point. That is, all artists were inherently talented and immediately began to write, paint, and sing masterpieces as soon as the Muse came to them. And, of course, these masterpieces instantly became popular and recognized.

There’s also a concept of *scenius*, a healthier way to think about creativity. This perspective views great ideas emerging from groups of talented artists, much like an “ecology.” However, this perception of creativity does not align with reality. Especially in a modern world with advanced technologies that make it very easy to share your creativity. Nowadays, it does not matter whether you have a professional creative education, notable achievements, or years of experience. You can contribute to culture simply by having the desire to do so. But most of us are still afraid to come across as amateurs—which means “lover” in French—and receive condemnation and criticism from others.

Nevertheless, amateurs drive creativity forward and look for ways to develop it. These enthusiasts are open to everything new and not afraid to make mistakes, deviate from the rules, or be incomprehensible to others. They may lack training, education, or experience, but they are constantly learning and improving themselves. Amateurs create changes with their courage and original, fresh approach to creativity.

Therefore, if you want to learn some skills, do not be afraid to be an amateur. Moreover, learn this art or skill so that people can see and be inspired by your progress. This will show others that you should never be afraid of mistakes and that talent is developed, not innate. And for you, it can be an additional motivation. If you want to learn how to dance, try blogging about it. Today, you post on social media that you are going to your first dance lesson; in a month, you will learn the first choreography, and in a year, you will be dancing no worse than a professional!

01
You don't have to be a professional to share what you love
02
Show not only the result but also the process of your work
03
Share your work regularly
04
You can share what inspires you with others
05
The value of your work depends on its story and how you tell it
06
Give first, and only then be ready to receive
07
Take criticism as an opportunity for growth, not a reason to give up
08
Don't be afraid to ask for fair pay
09
Final summary

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