How "SHOW YOUR WORK" inspired me!

I've always been an "aspiring" writer. I always thought that there would be a magical day when I will have enough experience in life, I'd have enough time with which I'd have written a kick-ass story about that experience, I'd publish a book with that story and there will be people just waiting to read it!

Here's how it plays out till that magical day.

I don't think I have enough experience in life to write a blog, let alone write a book. I don't know how to write so that people want to read. Publishing a book seems easy on the surface but when I look closely, how many writers have really "made it" in India? And even if I can be one of them, should I leave my job and become a full time writer? What if it doesn't happen? What if I don't make it?

And then I found "SHOW YOUR WORK" by Austin Kleon which in turn was recommended to me by Ali Abidaal. It's a beautiful and quick read. You should definitely give it a shot. This piece is about how it inspired me and my few key takeaways from it.

Creativity does not mean originality

This is a powerful insight. It changed the way I looked at my work and all the work around me. I realized that "Nothing is Original". Everything that everyone does has "Inspiration", "Influence", "Experience". If you really want to get into the depth of it, read "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Cleon. Once you know this, you stop being very critical of your work. It opens the first mental block to creativity.

We are all Amateurs

My old boss used to say, "If you don't think you were stupid a year ago then you definitely didn't do enough this year". It's an amazing way to contextualize the past and the present. The book is built on it and made me realize that sharing your process as an amateur is sometimes more valuable than sharing your views as an expert. And in the larger context of time, infinity and everything in between, we're all amateurs!

Share because it can help someone

This was the most fundamental change about the way I viewed sharing my work. In my mind it was about getting it to a level where I'd be proud of it and people will like what I have created. Notice how it's "Me" centric. The book made me realize that there are millions who haven't been through the journey that I've been through and even sharing my process will help them make a little bit more sense of their life. It's not about being superlative. It's about being honest and sharing the worldview from your pair of eyes.

Share what you Love and People who love the same will follow you

I don't have enough experience of this on the internet to say it with authority. But it seems logical and I'd like to believe it.

So finally,

This is not the book summary. I'll write separately on that. This is just what finally pushed me over the edge and made me buy my own piece of real estate on the internet and to share my work. If it does help you do something similar then these few words would have been more than worth it!