Quote

Unless you are actually a ninja, a guru, or a rock star, don't ever use any of those terms in your bio. Ever.

Austin Kleon

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Austin Kleon
Age: 41
Born: 1983
Born: June 16
Author
Musician
Visual Artist
Writer
Ohio
United States
Terms
Unless
Stars
Bios
Term
Ninja
Actually
Guru
Use
Star
Ever
Rock
Rocks

More quotes by Austin Kleon

Image
You are, in fact, a mashup of what you choose to let into your life.
Austin Kleon
Image
The minute you learn something, turn around and teach it to others.
Austin Kleon
Image
Be boring. (It’s the only way to get work done.)
Austin Kleon
Image
If we're free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and we can embrace influence instead of running from it.
Austin Kleon
Image
Copying is about reverse-engineering.
Austin Kleon
Image
Do good work and share it with people.
Austin Kleon
Image
There’s an economic theory out there that if you take the incomes of your five closest friends and average them, the resulting number will be pretty close to your own income. I think the same thing is true of idea incomes. You’re only going to be as good as the stuff you surround yourself with.
Austin Kleon
Image
Amateurs know that contributing something is better than contributing nothing.
Austin Kleon
Image
You're ready. Start making stuff.
Austin Kleon
Image
Pretend to be making something until you actually make something.
Austin Kleon
Image
The people who get what they’re after are very often the ones who just stick around long enough.
Austin Kleon
Image
Every artist gets asked the question, 'Where do you get your ideas?' The honest artist answers, 'I steal them.'
Austin Kleon
Image
It's in the act of making things that we figure out who we are.
Austin Kleon
Image
Don't worry about doing research. Just search.
Austin Kleon
Image
Not everybody will get it. People will misinterpret you and what you do. They might even call you names. So get comfortable with being misunderstood, disparaged, or ignored -- the trick is to be too busy doing your work to care.
Austin Kleon
Image
We're always being told 'find your voice.' When I was younger, I never really knew what this meant. I used to worry a lot about voice, wondering if I had my own. But now I realize that the only way to find your voice is to use it. It's hardwired, built into you. Talk about the things you love. Your voice will follow.
Austin Kleon
Image
You'll either find the answer or you'll come up with a better question.
Austin Kleon
Image
Usually, when we talk about creativity, it's about self-expression, which is great, but for work to be art or design, there has to be someone on the other end. The audience makes the work come alive.
Austin Kleon
Image
Your brain gets too comfortable in your everyday surroundings. You need to make it uncomfortable. You need to spend some time in another land, among people that do things differently than you. Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder.
Austin Kleon
Image
Nothing is more paralyzing than the idea of limitless possibilities.
Austin Kleon