No building is original; it’s inspired by past work and knowledge
There is nothing new happening. Creators are not inventors.
Architects copy what works and make it their own and change it according to the environment and building site
Every site is different so there can never be the same house at the same location.
Every house is unique.
But the creativity and the ideas come from inspirations and strategies we learn at university to create a unique design for a house
We are not stealing from other architects or design styles but copy and make them our own.
The Greeks didn’t invent the column, but they created their own version and built the Parthenon.
Just like the Egyptians didn’t invent bricks or triangles, they made unique pyramids for their pharaohs.
For a long time, I was limited by the thought that I had to be unique and not copy anyone else. I learned that mindset at school: don’t copy someone else’s homework, you need to do it on your own…
Weird how small things like that can influence and limit your life for the next few decades.
Don’t copy, but get inspired and make it your own
It’s not okay to copy-paste a text from some famous writer or ChatGPT and claim it as your own. That’s definitely stealing.
But taking the topic, making it your own, and telling your story is the way you want to go, and how every online creator works.
These days, it’s hard to invent something new, especially in the online world. The successful writers didn’t invent the topics of habits, focus, success, or time management. But they made it their own with their unique view or twist.
And that’s the key.
Don’t wait to find something nobody has talked about yet (it’s not gonna happen). Instead, write your own view or connection to the topic.
I didn’t invent this topic of copying and stealing, but I read a book and some stories about it, and I’m adding my point of view.
Your unique perspective
The best example is Ryan Holiday’s writing about stoicism. It’s nothing new, it’s been here for more than 2000 years. But his books describe stoic philosophies with new words and new meanings.
There are a lot of successful examples like that.
I was always afraid of “copying” a topic and writing about it because I thought I’d be an imposter or a thief doing that.
Until I realized everyone is doing it—to get inspired and then write about it in their own words.
James Clear didn’t invent habits with his book ‘Atomic Habits’ but he wrote a simple book with his words, examples, and experiences, and it’s one of the most successful books.
And who says you cannot do that too?
Every story I’m writing about is not the first one. Life is similar for everyone. We are all humans.
But every person is unique, and I have my own perspective on things.
I get inspired by newsletters, books, social media, and experiences, and then I write about it in my own words and stories.
Steal like an artist
If you think, “But art is unique and new every time”. No, the artists are never on their own either.
They get inspired by:
- other artists
- architecture
- people
- museums
- stories
- teachers
We are in this world, and in this world, we cannot not get influenced.
Every artist has a teacher, experiences, an environment, and friends. This is how periods in history like the Renaissance are happening: artists, politicians, architects, writers,… they all get influenced by each other and together they are part of the Renaissance.
Why am I writing about the Renaissance? Dan Koe says we are in one again. The word means “rebirth”.
The people got inspired by Roman and Greek antiquity and made them their own. It was a time of great innovations, and they weren’t specialized in any art or craft anymore but combined them.
Michelangelo was a painter, sculptor, architect, and poet.
Through his unique studies of the human body, sketches of architecture, and copying paintings, he was able to sculpt the famous David, paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and build the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
His creations are not new. There were painters, sculptors, and architects before him, but he studied more than that and combined his knowledge to be exceptionally himself.
Creators get inspired by others, combine knowledge, and make something unique.
“You have to be curious about the world in which you live. Look things up. Chase down every reference. Go deeper than anybody else — that’s how you’ll get ahead.”
— Austin Kleon, author of “Steal like an Artist”
Conclusion
Don’t limit yourself by looking for something innovative. Instead, research, be curious, and study other creators.
You will find your own innovative creations by combining your knowledge, experience, and unique perspective.
I stopped myself from writing because I thought there was nothing new to be said online. It feels that way, but nobody has written about your own unique view of the world. And that’s what every online creator is writing about.
You add value to everything because you are unique. Don’t forget that!
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