Estimated reading time: 5 minutes, 17 seconds
Not everything needs reinventing.
There’s a time to be original and a time to use what works.
Wisdom is knowing when to bring something new and when to trust something that’s proven.
Here is today’s no-to-original illustration:
Perhaps Ironically, this isn't an original visual metaphor.
Needles popping balloons have been used by illustrators and visual thinkers countless times before me, but sometimes a familiar metaphor communicates an idea better than an original one.
And that's exactly the (needle) point.
Today’s Saying summarises perfectly why journaling helps you to grow:
“Good artists copy; great artists steal.”
There’s some debate whether Picasso ever actually said this, but there’s some truth to the sentiment regardless.
Even though the quote is somewhat provocative, the principle is useful: originality rarely means creating something truly from scratch.
We learn from what already works, combine it with our own perspective, and make something ours.
I sometimes feel pressure to reinvent what I'm doing.
I see creators outperforming me online and wonder whether I should adopt their style, voice or ideas. Maybe I just need their content strategy, their products or their audience.
But chasing everyone else's success risks losing what made my work mine in the first place.
At the same time, stubbornly refusing to use anything that's been done before was impeding my creativity. Sometimes the wheel is round for a reason.
So, how do we balance the two?
Here are 3 Tips to be Original and Take Inspiration:
Protect what makes you, you.
Nobody else has your exact combination of experiences, interests and perspective.
When your uniqueness adds something valuable, use it.
Don't reinvent for the sake of it.
Original doesn't automatically mean better.
If something works, learn from it.
Proven solutions are proven for a reason.
Borrow the principle, bring your perspective.
You don't always have to choose between copying and reinventing.
Take something that works and ask: What can I uniquely bring to this?
Use what works, then make it yours.
Let’s dive deeper into today’s wisdom with these 3 journal prompts:
Where am I putting unnecessary pressure on myself to be original?
What proven approach could I learn from rather than reinvent?
Where should I trust what makes me different?
Someone who knows a thing about taking what works and adding your own twist to it is Austin Kleon - author of Steal Like an Artist.
Kleon's short book challenges the idea that creativity means producing something entirely original.
Instead, he encourages us to learn from our influences, collect great ideas and transform what inspires us through our own experiences and perspective.
A fitting reminder that you don't have to reinvent the wheel, you just need to decide where you're steering it.
To learn more, check out this book in your friendly local bookstore. Alternatively, find where to buy it here:
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Thanks,
Michael