So look around at those existing ideas in the world. You can imitate them and still be offering something valuable and unique.

When a musician covers someone else’s song, they reveal their own warped perspective, since we know what the original sounds like. Because of this, performing a cover song is actually a great way to defne who you are as an artist. When a musician writes a new song that imitates someone else’s song, almost nobody notices the similarity. People don’t

It’s not that I hate people. The other best times in my life were with people. But it’s interesting how many highlights were just sitting in a room in that wonderful creative flow, free from the chatter of the world. No updates. No news. No pings. No chats. No surfng. Silence is a great canvas for your thoughts. That vacuum helps turn all of your in

Many people learn only in their frst third of life, so schools don’t teach unlearning. We want to see the world clearly and know what’s what. But once we’re past the frst stage of wisdom, the next stage involves adapting to new changes. We don’t get wise just by adding and adding. We also need to subtract.

On a small level, it can be that little nervous moment, when you’re scared to talk to someone intimidating. You notice you’re scared. Aha! Whatever scares you, go do it. So you go talk to them. On a big level, it can be that huge terrifying idea that won’t go away. Starting a business. Visiting a country. Quitting your job. Whatever scares you, go

Obvious to you. Amazing to others. Any creator of anything knows this feeling: You experience someone else’s innovative work. It’s beautiful, brilliant, breath-taking. You’re stunned. Their ideas are unexpected and surprising, but perfect. You think, “I never would have thought of that. How do they even come up with that? It’s genius!” Afterwards,

There are three things to consider when making life-size decisions: • What makes you happy • What’s smart — meaning long-term good for you • What’s useful to others

When life or a plan feels ultimately unsatisfying, I fnd it’s because I’ve forgotten to fnd the intersection of all three: • What makes me happy • What’s smart • What’s useful to others 88 sive.rs/hsu

Inspiration is not receiving information. Inspiration is applying what you’ve received. People think that if they keep reading articles, browsing books, listening to talks, or meeting people, they’re going to suddenly get inspired. But constantly seeking inspiration is anti-inspiring. You have to pause the input and focus on your output. For every