10 Life-changing Lessons For New Creators From Show Your Work
Tim Carden
Co-Founder at Thoughtleadr. We build personal brands on X & LinkedIn for incredible founders | Over 3 Billion views for clients | 68K on X
The single book that has had the biggest impact in my decision to share my thoughts online?
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon.
Here are 10 life-changing lessons by Austin that have kickstarted my creative journey: ??
1. You don't need to be an expert
People think you need to be an expert with all the answers before you can start writing online.
That's simply not true.
People will benefit from the development of your thoughts.
It is easier to learn from a beginner a few steps ahead than an expert who already has all the answers.
Remember this.
So, go. Share what you love.
People will benefit.
2. When you're unknown there is no pressure, so experiment
Being a beginner is great.
You don't quite have the same flexibility as an expert, so relish your lack of expertise now and experiment.
3. Remember death
Paralysed by a fear of putting yourself out there?
Remember your death.
Everything you think that matters will melt away.
These all evaporate when death inevitably comes knocking.
So stop overthinking it.
You have nothing to lose.
4. Be a documentarian
There is a misconception that people don't care what we're doing.
This is not true.
Document your current projects.
Share your successes, failures and struggles.
People out there who will benefit from your experiences.
People care how the sausage gets made.
Having said this:
Show your work, not your life
5. Be so good they can't ignore you
Many people wonder how their ideas will reach people.
How will my ideas make a mark in such a crowded space?
The answer?
Be so good they can't ignore you.
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If you just focus on getting really good, people will come to find you.
If you add valuable stuff to the conversation and you are findable, people will find you online and reach out to you for advice.
This is the nature of the internet.
The reach we have is unparalleled.
6. Small things compound over time
“If you work on something a little bit every day, you end up with something that is massive.” —Kenneth Goldsmith
Your creative efforts compound.
Each daily output will be small but stick at it, and you will end up with something big.
Your writing will improve. No one starts off a very good writer, they work their way to that point.
To get to that point, you have to publish every day.
7. Don't be human spam
You do not want to be the guy on the internet that doesn't listen to what anyone else has to say and only promotes their own content.
Instead, be the guy that promotes and engages with other creators' content.
You will see the favour repaid.
You will also then attract a like-minded crowd that you have interacted with instead of loads of random people.
By making stuff you love and talking about stuff you love, you will attract the same kind of people.
It's that simple.
8. Learn to take a punch
Putting yourself out there will obviously make you susceptible to criticism.
Take this criticism on the chin.
Some people may completely disagree with what you have to say.
That's ok.
You can't please everyone.
Only please the people you care about pleasing.
9. Fear is your imagination taking the wrong turn
The brain is very creative.
It likes to come up with the worst-case scenario for everything.
The fear and criticism you are anticipating about people's reaction to your work is unfounded.
Stop feeding it and put your work out there.
10. Stick around
Progress can be slow.
Traction can be slow.
Building an audience will take time.
But don't quit prematurely.
The people that achieve their goals are the ones that stick around long enough.
Relish the small wins.
Your tiny efforts will compound over time.
Great share, Tim!