Steal Like an Artist - Summary and review

Nobody creates amazing ideas in a vacuum. The greatest artists get inspired by other art. The greatest writers are fueled by what they read.“What is originality? Undetected plagiarism.” - William Ralph IngeDon’t feel like a fraud because you use copy other people’s style of writing - instead, embrace it as a source of inspiration, try:

• Writing a piece in the style of your favorite author

• Composing a guide on LinkedIn like your favorite influencer

• Recording a TikTok in the same format as the top creators in your niche

So, don’t be afraid to mix other people’s styles and work into your own; but of course, remember to make them your own, and don’t blatantly copy without clear references.

“Good artists copy; great artists steal.” - Pablo Picasso.

Creativity is about mixing what is already present and creating something out of it. Great artists don’t copy one source, but instead 100s of different ones.

When it comes to creative work: limitations = freedom.

“The way to get over creative block is to simply place some constraints on yourself.”

Here is how less can be more when creating (examples of how to put constraints on yourself):

• ✅ Shoot a movie on your iPhone

• ✅ Write a LinkedIn post on your phone

• ✅ Run a webinar with 20 min preparation

This goes for launching a startup, testing a new growth channel, or building a new habit.

I always struggled with theorizing - thinking until perfection. I think school is enforcing this type of behaviour. Business is not school. Coding is not either. It’s closer to art..

And just getting started is all that matters.

Whether you are:

• building a B2B SaaS

• scaling organic search through Youtube

• running every week for your first marathon

Don’t think you have to know all the answers before you start - just get started!

Create the solution you believe is missing in the market. Chances are, if you see a gap, others do too.

Sometimes stepping away from the digital world and engaging in physical activities can spark new ideas and perspectives for digital challenges.

Encourage your team to engage in diverse projects. These are often unexpected sources of innovation and can lead to breakthrough ideas.

Focus on excellence in your solutions and be proactive in your communications. Visibility is as crucial as quality in the crowded SaaS market.

Leverage global insights and talents. With remote work, your next great idea or team member could come from anywhere in the world.

Foster a positive, supportive culture within your team and network. SaaS communities thrive on collaboration and mutual support.

Implement disciplined routines and processes to keep your team focused and productive amidst the chaos of rapid growth and innovation.