Who you are? How would you describe yourself? Many people answer this question using nouns: “I am a manager”, “a successful lawyer”, “aspiring writer”. Austin Kleon, author of the book Steal Like an Artist, is sure that it is not what we call ourselves that is more important, but what we do.
The American inventor, philosopher and poet Richard Buckminster Fuller wrote: “I live on earth in the present and do not know what I am. I know that I am not some category, thing or noun. I seem to be some kind of verb, some evolutionary process, some essential function of the universe.”
I cannot but agree with him. I am sure: we are not nouns, but verbs. For example, I am not a function: an artist or a writer. I am a person who does something: draws, writes — and never knows what he will do next. And this, by the way, is wonderful: as Oscar Wilde said, “if you have no idea who you want to become, then you can become anyone.”
Moreover, if I had not decided to “start creating”, until I figured out myself, until I understood who I am and why I live, then I would still be engaged in self-digging, and not business. I know from experience that a person is able to understand his own nature only by doing something, doing some work.
A few years ago I came across a curious , the author of which insisted that religion is a verb. Faith alone is not enough, you need to take very specific steps, work (including on yourself), and do it diligently. And faith itself is not passive, it involves a journey from point A to point B and internal transformation. Many religious people today believe that they must first believe in a list of obscure doctrines, and then begin to lead a righteous life. Quite a strange approach. Faith requires discipline, action, going beyond the limits of one’s «I», these steps just lead to the fact that a new meaning appears in the life of a believer. Religion is what you do. Without these actions, there is no faith.
The path of action promises more adventure and ultimately results.
Many people think that it is worth first of all to call yourself an artist (writer, sculptor, blogger — underline the necessary), determine for yourself exactly who you are and what you want, and only after that start creating. Many strive to become a noun — the owner of a certain profession, title, status.
I am sure that the path of action promises more adventure and, ultimately, results. It is worth doing first and only then figure out who you are now and how you call yourself. Practice, action is much more important than abstract categories and general concepts. Forget about who you want to be, focus on what you need to do. And do it.
- Get started.
- Go on.
- Learn.
- Try.
- Make a mistake.
- Learn from the lessons and try again.
- Fake it until you learn.
We are not nouns, but verbs. Take action!
Source: austincleon.com