What are your three rules?

This week's interview is with Austin Kleon.

2 Pages with MBS

and

Austin Kleon

Feb 27, 2024

What are your three rules?

It’s not just our tech enabled world that runs by algorithms. Us meat machines, us humans, we one and all have our own programming, our deeply embedded rules that determine the decisions we make, the paths we walk, and who and how we show up in the world.

The first part of growth and development is figuring out what our rules are. Finding language for our programming. The second part is often unbugging the program, and rewriting your maxims for the person you want to be, rather than the person you once were.

Here are three rules for you that I bet you haven’t considered … at least not fully:

Don’t wait until you know who you are to get started
Learn to take a punch
The Ordinary + Extra Attention = The Extraordinary!

Each one of those is from a different Austin Kleon book.

‘Don’t wait until you know who you are to get started’ is #2 from his breakout hit, Steal Like An Artist.

‘Learn to take a punch’ is #8 from Show Your Work.

And, ‘The Ordinary + Extra Attention = The Extraordinary!’ is #5, in the third book of the trilogy, Keep Going.

Now I had thirty rules to pick from - each book has ten maxims - but I picked these three for you. Because I know one of them was just what you needed to hear.

And I’m curious … which one was the one that struck a chord?

The rule I like? ‘Creativity is subtraction.’ It’s from Steal Like an Artist. I cunningly removed that from the list of three, I offered you earlier on…

📕 My Guest: Austin Kleon

Austin is a New York Times bestselling author celebrated for his trilogy on creativity: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work!, and Keep Going, alongside Newspaper Blackout, a collection of poetry.

His innovative works, translated into dozens of languages with over a million copies sold worldwide, have earned acclaim from major publications and appearances on NPR, PBS, and more. Known for his insightful talks at prestigious venues like Pixar and Google, Austin’s diverse background includes roles as a librarian, web designer, and copywriter.

Residing in Austin, Texas with his family, he's hailed as a leading voice on digital creativity. To learn more about Austin, visit www.austinkleon.com.

🎧 The Hardest & Best Creative Question: A Conversation with Austin Kleon

Austin reads two pages from What It Is by Lynda Barry.

In our conversation, we discuss:

The Transformative Power of Creative Mentors

Austin's encounter with Lynda Barry showcases how a brief moment can fuel a lifetime of creativity, illustrating the profound impact mentors have on our creative paths.

The Interplay of Words and Images in Storytelling

Explore the delicate dance between the visual and the verbal, where Austin finds his voice. This synergy of words and pictures not only defines his unique approach to art and literature but also challenges us to reconsider the boundaries of storytelling.

Cultivating a Creative Community

Austin's journey through the digital landscape to find his tribe, reflecting on how the web serves as a conduit for connecting with like-minded souls. The importance of community in nurturing creativity and overcoming the solitude often found in the creative process.

Embracing Simplicity and Play in Creativity

The significance of maintaining a playful approach to creativity, encouraging us to simplify our processes and embrace the joy in creation. A reminder to balance the seriousness of our work with the light-heartedness that sparks innovation.

Navigating the Creative Process: From Doubt to Discovery

The journey from wrestling with self-doubt to embracing the freedom found in the act of making. Austin's reflections on the questions that plague every creator—"Is this good? Does this suck?"—a candid look at the internal dialogue that drives the creative process forward.