You’re only going to be as good as the stuff you surround yourself with. Austin Kleon More Quotes by Austin Kleon More Quotes From Austin Kleon Pretend to be making something until you actually make something. Austin Kleon Creative people need time to just sit around and do nothing. Austin Kleon creative people needs You're ready. Start making stuff. Austin Kleon ready stuff It sounds a little extreme, but in this day and age, if your work isn't online, it doesn't exist. Austin Kleon age sound littles Eat breakfast. Do some push-ups. Go for long walks. Get plenty of sleep. Austin Kleon long-walks sleep breakfast If you want fans, you have to be a fan first. Austin Kleon fans want firsts Copying is about reverse-engineering. Austin Kleon engineering reverse copying We're always being told 'find your voice.' When I was younger, I never really knew what this meant. I used to worry a lot about voice, wondering if I had my own. But now I realize that the only way to find your voice is to use it. It's hardwired, built into you. Talk about the things you love. Your voice will follow. Austin Kleon voice love-you writing The biggest task in the morning is to try to keep my headspace from being invaded by the outside world. Austin Kleon tasks morning trying Find the most talented person in the room, and if it's not you, go stand next to him. Hang out with him. Try to be helpful. If you ever find that you're the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room. Austin Kleon next trying rooms Obituaries are like near-death experiences for cowards. Austin Kleon near-death-experience near-death coward Enjoy your obscurity while it lasts. Austin Kleon obscurity enjoy lasts When people give advice, they're really just talking to themselves in the past. Austin Kleon talking people past Keep all your passions in your life. Austin Kleon passion So go on, get angry. But keep your mouth shut and go do your work. Austin Kleon angry mouths goes-on If you ever find you're the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room. Austin Kleon inspirational rooms needs Become a documentarian of what you do. Austin Kleon Dig into almost every overnight success story and you’ll find about a decade’s worth of hard work and perseverance. Austin Kleon perseverance hard-work stories We found the future, like birds fly into windows. Austin Kleon chaos bird window The best advice is not to write what you know, it's to write what you like. Write the kind of story you like best - write the story you want to read. The same principle applies to your life and your career. Austin Kleon careers writing advice