Being a good individual is important to all of us.
Being unique, authentic, “one of a kind”.
But how original can any of us actually become?
Now, we all know the more cynical line, “There are no original ideas”. However, I argue that maybe what we are really saying is that there are no original words or phrases to describe something. We have reinvented the way we use timeless knowledge for thousands of years.
Musicians, scientists, philosophers and other artists struggle the most, finding a balance between using the weight of their influences and discovering their own style. It is hard to escape the what is and the what has and to step into the realm of what if and what else. But every innovator, groundbreaker, and pioneer can easily list off who helped them, inspired them, educated them, mentored them over their lifetime.
Steve Jobs would have told you that it was Bill Cambell who coached him through his time at Apple. Using his expertise to create phenomenal company culture and driving ambition.
John Mayer might list off a variety of blues artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and BB King, Eric Clapton. Some of which he was able to directly learn from and derive his modern phrasing of blues and even performance technique.
Ryan Holiday, owner of the Daily Stoic and renowned author, is notorious for his distillation of past stoic writings and stories from the autobiographies of this world’s most influential people.
They were all honest about where their inspiration, technique and writing came from. Yet it doesn’t seem to dull their glow as brilliant artists and creators.
My point is, if you look around you and you are looking for it, these people are not tapping into some mythical land of creativity. They are innovating, however brilliantly, old dusty ideas. They are studying and emulating the past behind closed doors and then presenting a sometimes unrecognizable modern product.
“Successful people get credit for the work they do behind closed doors”- Tony Robbins
Whatever you are trying to achieve, it has been done before. The process of tapping into that part of yourself, the planning, the strategy, perhaps even the exact timetable and half hour itinerary. So how do we find it? Books, podcasts, friends, here with us at Kykeon ;).
But seriously, anyone, anywhere, with anything. Use the infinite knowledge that is surrounding us and start putting it into action. And most importantly, find someone that has failed and succeeded at whatever endeavor you are about to start.
Aspire to Inspire Greatness.
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