It's in the act of making things that we figure out who we are.
Austin KleonRead
Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Create and pursue what you genuinely want to experience in your life.
This quote encourages individuals to take initiative and actively create the things they desire in their lives, whether it be art, business, music, literature, or products. It emphasizes personal agency and the importance of aligning one's actions with their passions and interests, fostering a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Themes
CreateArtPassionInitiativeAgencyEntrepreneurshipMusicWritingFulfillment
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech for aspiring artists.
More from Austin Kleon
All quotes →The best way to get started on the path of sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it in front of others.
Austin KleonRead
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 KleonRead
If we're free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and we can embrace influence instead of running from it.
Austin KleonRead
Usually, when we talk about creativity, it's about self-expression, which is great, but for work to be art or design, there has to be someone on the other end. The audience makes the work come alive.
Austin KleonRead
Don't think of your website as a self-promotion machine, think of it as a self-invention machine.
Austin KleonRead
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