The School of Greatness The Habits & Routines Behind Great Artists w/Austin Kleon EP 1123
Jun 14, 2021
Austin Kleon, the acclaimed author of the creativity trilogy, shares invaluable insights on nurturing artistic talent and overcoming fears. He discusses the irony of pursuing full-time art, the importance of distraction-free routines, and the role of obituaries as motivators for embracing creativity. Kleon also explores how to 'steal like an artist' to forge unique work and highlights the balance between discipline and rest for artistic growth. His reflections on adapting from performance to teaching resonate deeply with aspiring creatives.
01:25:52
Morning Routine for Creatives
- Start your day phone-free for 30-60 minutes, focusing on reading or journaling.
- This allows you to warm up your creative muscles and generate ideas.
Persistence in Creative Work
- Austin Kleon observes that persistence is a key habit of successful creatives.
- He's witnessed many initially unimpressive artists gain large audiences over time through consistent effort.
Overcoming Fear of Embarrassment
- Embrace public vulnerability and be willing to share imperfect work.
- Overcome fear of embarrassment by accepting that learning and growth often involve mistakes.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Routines for Creative Success: Overcoming Challenges
02:00 • 5min
Creativity and Courage: Embracing the Journey
07:01 • 15min
The Comfort and Structure of Obituaries
22:29 • 6min
Legacy and Creative Growth
28:01 • 16min
The Critical Role of Rest and Recovery in Performance
44:29 • 3min
Balancing Creativity and Discipline
47:46 • 19min
The Journey of a Jazz Violinist: From Performance to Teaching
01:06:29 • 5min
The Art of Stealing: Inspiration and Innovation
01:11:00 • 15min
Core Lessons and Audiobook Insights
01:25:59 • 6min
Exploring the Essence of Greatness and Creative Expression
01:31:41 • 2min
Inspiration and Gratitude for Creative Souls
01:33:43 • 2min
The Poetics of space
Gaston BACHELARD
Keep Going
10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad
Austin Kleon
In 'Keep Going', Austin Kleon offers ten simple yet profound rules to help creative individuals stay inspired, focused, and true to themselves.
The book emphasizes the importance of daily routines, disconnecting from the world to connect with oneself, and finding inspiration in everyday life.
It also delves into themes such as the value of tidying up, the importance of fresh air, and the need to leave things better than you found them.
The book is filled with motivational quotes, anecdotes, and artwork, making it a unique and inspiring read for anyone looking to sustain their creative journey.
Normal People
Sally Rooney
Normal People is a character-driven novel that delves into the intricate relationship between Marianne and Connell, starting from their high school days in County Sligo, Ireland, and continuing through their university years at Trinity College Dublin.
The story explores themes of love, class division, mental health, and the complexities of human connection.
Marianne, from an upper-class background with an abusive family, and Connell, from a working-class background, engage in a secret relationship in high school due to Connell's fear of social judgment.
As they grow and navigate different social worlds, their relationship is marked by periods of intense connection and separation, influenced by their socioeconomic backgrounds and personal insecurities.
Rooney's writing is characterized by its spare prose, detailed character development, and a deep exploration of the psychological and emotional nuances of the characters.
Caste
The Origins of Our Discontents
Antonio Francisco Rodríguez Esteban
Isabel Wilkerson
In this book, Isabel Wilkerson argues that racism in the United States is part of a broader caste system—a society-wide system of social stratification characterized by hierarchy, inclusion, and exclusion.
She defines eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations, including divine will, heredity, and dehumanization.
Wilkerson uses historical documentation, insightful analogies, and powerful anecdotes to illustrate how this caste system permeates American society, affecting people's lives and behavior.
The book also explores the consequences of caste and the possibility of a world without it, emphasizing the need for collective effort to dismantle such systems.
Educated
A Memoir
Tara Westover
In 'Educated,' Tara Westover recounts her journey from a childhood in rural Idaho, where she was raised by survivalist Mormon parents who opposed public education and medical care, to becoming a scholar at Harvard and Cambridge University.
The book details her struggles with physical and verbal abuse, her self-education, and her eventual admission to Brigham Young University.
Westover's story is a powerful exploration of resilience, the importance of education, and the complexities of family relationships.
She navigates the tension between her desire for knowledge and her loyalty to her family, ultimately finding a way to reconcile her past and present selves.
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Sir Michael Howard
The mask of masculinity
How Men Can Embrace Vulnerability, Create Strong Relationships, and Live Their Fullest Lives
Lewis Howes
In 'The Mask of Masculinity,' Lewis Howes explores the nine masks that men wear to protect themselves from emotional vulnerability.
These masks include the Stoic Mask, Athlete Mask, Material Mask, Sexual Mask, Aggressive Mask, Joker Mask, Invincible Mask, Know-it-all Mask, and Alpha Mask.
Through personal anecdotes, interviews with psychologists and notable figures like Tony Robbins and Alanis Morissette, Howes provides a roadmap for men to remove these masks and achieve true fulfillment.
The book also offers insights for women to better understand the men in their lives and how to support them in their journey towards emotional freedom and deeper relationships.
Range
Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
David Epstein
In this book, David Epstein examines the success of generalists in various fields, including sports, arts, music, invention, forecasting, and science.
He argues that generalists, who often find their path late and juggle multiple interests, are more creative, agile, and able to make connections that specialists cannot.
Epstein uses stories and research studies to show that wide sampling and late specialization can be more valuable than early specialization, especially in complex and unpredictable environments.
He also discusses the distinction between 'kind' and 'wicked' learning environments and the importance of balancing specialization with range for long-term success.
Show Your Work!
Austin Kleon
In 'Show Your Work!
', Austin Kleon provides a manifesto for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age.
The book emphasizes the importance of generosity over genius, getting 'findable' by using the network, and self-discovery through sharing your creative process.
It offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, and productive, including chapters on sharing something small every day, engaging with your audience, and the etiquette of sharing online.
The book is filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples to inspire and guide readers in their creative journeys.
Steal like an artist
10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
Austin Kleon
This book, which began as a speech given by Austin Kleon to college students, expands into a manifesto for creativity.
It outlines ten transformative principles such as 'Steal like an artist' (honoring, studying, and transforming ideas), 'Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things,' and 'Use your hands' (emphasizing physical work).
Kleon argues that creativity is not original but builds on what came before, and he provides practical tips and inspiring concepts for artists, writers, musicians, and anyone generating creative work.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones.
The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.
It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results.
Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation.
The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.
“Who is going to do this work if I’m not doing it?”
Today's guest is Austin Kleon. The Atlantic called him “positively one of the most interesting people on the Internet.” He’s a speaker for organizations such as Pixar, Google, SXSW & TEDx. He’s the New York Times bestselling author of a trilogy of illustrated books about creativity in the digital age: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work!, and Keep Going. This trilogy is now available as a newly recorded and packaged audiobook!
In this episode Lewis and Austin discuss the key habits and routines of successful creatives, how to get over the fear of being embarrassed by negativity, why Austin thinks making a full-time living with your art is a terrible way to make a living, how to steal like an artist in order to create your own unique work, and so much more!
For more go to: www.lewishowes.com/1123
Check out Austin's website: www.austinkleon.com
Get one of his books: www.austinkleon.com/books/
Mel Robbins: The “Secret” Mindset Habit to Building Confidence and Overcoming Scarcity: https://link.chtbl.com/970-pod
Dr. Joe Dispenza on Healing the Body and Transforming the Mind: https://link.chtbl.com/826-pod
Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds with David Goggins: https://link.chtbl.com/715-pod
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