“Show Your Work” by Austin Kleon – A Creativity Manifesto (Even If I Didn’t Write It)
As an Austin myself, I was immediately drawn to the title of this book. While I may not be the Austin Kleon who wrote it, I can certainly relate to the message and lessons within. “Show Your Work” is a powerful call to action for creatives of all kinds to embrace the process of sharing their work and ideas with the world.
At its core, the book is about overcoming the fear and insecurity that often holds us back from putting ourselves and our creations out there. Kleon argues that in today’s digital landscape, the old model of locking yourself away until you’ve perfected your masterpiece is no longer viable. Instead, he outlines 10 concrete strategies for consistently sharing your work-in-progress and connecting with an audience.
Some of the key takeaways include:
- “You don’t have to be a genius” – Kleon emphasizes that the act of creating and sharing is more important than being the next Michelangelo.
- “Think process, not product” – He encourages readers to document their creative journey rather than just the final result.
- “Share something small every day” – Consistent, bite-sized updates are more impactful than occasional, grand reveals.
While I may not have written this book, I can certainly appreciate the wisdom and practical advice it offers. As a fellow Austin, I’m inspired to take Kleon’s lessons to heart and find new ways to “show my work” to the world. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll even write a book of my own! (But I’ll be sure to give credit where it’s due.)
