Key Messages
Embrace Your Inner Artist And Make Your Mark On The Digital Revolution
The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin introduces a creative code to activate your inner artist.
In today’s digital economy, robots and machines are quickly taking over the roles once done exclusively by people, making mundane 9-5 jobs obsolete.
But that doesn’t mean you have to be left behind – it simply means you have to find a new way of working.
And that means becoming an artist.
When we talk about art, it isn’t limited to just painting or composing music – true art includes any creative task, one which requires passion and ingenuity like those things robots can’t do.
This can be difficult, and there isn’t always a guaranteed salary for such endeavors, causing people to shy away from creativity and dedicate themselves solely to old-fashioned office jobs out of fear of failure.
But Godin helps simplify the process by dismantling common myths and dispensing tips on how to become an artist in this new digital world.
With his help you’ll discover why taking risks gets you better results; why challenging yourself is important; why societal expectations shouldn’t dictate who we are; and how obsession, persistence, and heaps of determination are the most effective skills one needs to succeed in life – much more than talent ever could!
The Icarus Deception: Don’T Let Fear Of Failure Stop You From Reaching Your Potential
The “Icarus Deception” tells us to be careful not to fly too high, as we risk crashing and burning.
However, there is a second part of the lesson that the story of Icarus teaches us – don’t fly too low either, meaning don’t stay in your comfort zone.
In today’s world, it’s no longer enough to get a steady job with a good salary and then wait for rewards to come rolling in – you need to be creative and take risks if you want success.
Just look at internet startups like Facebook as an example – their founders had no guarantee that their business models were going to work out!
What this means for us is that we can’t rely on our comfort zone anymore – instead, we need to get out of it, exercise our creativity muscles, and take calculated risks in order to succeed.
The future belongs to those who are brave enough to move outside their comfort zone and unleash their imagination.
We Need To Be Proactive And Take Advantage Of The Opportunities Provided By The Connected Economy
The new connected economy has brought with it a great change: fewer gatekeepers.
Rather than relying on industry authorities like record labels and agents to find success, people now have the opportunity to take their careers into their own hands.
This has opened up more possibilities to become self-employed and reach wider audiences.
For instance, musicians who would have traditionally sold albums can now make more money through platforms like iTunes and YouTube by selling songs directly to consumers.
Designers, consultants, teachers and therapists can also launch online businesses easily via social media and other web channels.
Furthermore, the increased connectivity of this new economy means that it is much easier for people to promote their work and reach larger audiences with fewer barriers between them and potential customers.
This presents an exciting opportunity for many creative fields where previously access was limited or expensive.
In conclusion, with fewer gatekeepers in the new connected economy comes more freedom and opportunities for creatives to build successful careers without relying on industry authorities or expensive marketing campaigns.
Redefining Humility: The Key To Committing To An Activity And Contributing To Society
There’s a need to redefine our idea of humility and realize that it isn’t only accepting poor performance – it is instead working hard to become the best we can be in something.
When we fully commit ourselves to a task, we’re no longer self-conscious, or worrying about others’ opinions – this is the true meaning of humility.
Furthermore, if we understand humility in this way and apply it to our lives, our skills will benefit greatly; when you fully commit yourself into something, you’ll be better able to share your greatest qualities and achievements with others.
This newfound confidence will allow you to take on risks and responsibilities that come with leadership too.
Ultimately, having humility also means we must fully commit ourselves to our art – if only pursuing a passion in spare time produces little results – success comes from taking risks but also from dedication so being humble (i.e., understanding ambition without arrogance) is key here too.
Despite not having a fixed wage like one would have in regular employment, dedication towards art may even go on to inspire people in ways you never thought possible!
Grit, Independence And A Disregard For Success And Failure: What Makes An Artist In The New Economy
To become an artist in the modern economy, it’s not enough to just develop your creativity and skills – you also need to cultivate individual independence and possess true grit.
Grit is more than mere perseverance; it comes from having a clear vision of what you want to create and being passionate about making it happen.
As explained by psychologist Angela Duckworth, author of “Grit,” knowing your true aspirations allows you to stay focused on achieving them no matter what.
But as well as having grit, artists must be able to stand alone and reject external influences that could control their work – like bosses or superiors.
Becoming self-sufficient also means learning to do without external validation, so that success or failure does not depend on other people’s opinions of your creations.
Above all else, don’t let the recognition or lack of it determine how you feel about your art – become indifferent to both and focus instead on producing something truly great and unforgettable.
Artists Must Grow A Thick Skin And Reject Shame To Follow Their Dreams
For artists, shame can be the greatest enemy.
When you’re creating something, it’s deeply personal and meaningful to you, so negative criticism or ridicule really stings.
Society wants us to adhere to certain expectations and often tries to control those who think outside of the box by shaming them.
That’s why if you want to make it as an artist, you need to develop a thick skin and learn how to ignore criticism.
The key is to focus more on positive connections rather than seeking out negative reviews or comments.
One single comment can be enough to make self-doubt creep in and doubt will quickly derail your dreams of becoming an artist.
Instead of worrying about what others say, it’s best just keep focused on the passion your have for your work, stay connected with people that share that passion and refuse let anyone or anything stand in the way of your artistry.
The Power Of Observation: How Looking Beyond Your Own Tunnel Vision Can Help You Recognize Opportunities And Achieve Success
If you want to become more successful, one of the best ways is through learning to recognize opportunities.
But to do that effectively, you need to train yourself to be more observant.
Take it from some of the success stories out there – Ray Bradbury and Fred Wilson both suggest that creativity comes from engaging with the world rather than constantly thinking about it.
This can lead to seeing new opportunities for success.
Alan Webber and Bill Taylor went on to create a commercial success with their magazine Fast Company by recognizing a trend in internet start-ups.
And Paco Underhill noticed customers being put off by other shoppers, so he suggested wider aisles which helped increase revenues for his retail company.
All these successes show how observing what’s going on in the world around us can help us uncover opportunities and find success when we may not have seen them before.
The Myth Of The Talentless Artist: It’S Not About Being Funny But Rather A Dedication To Perfecting Your Craft
The success of any artist, regardless of their chosen field or the talent they possess, is ultimately determined by their dedication and obsession with the details of that craft.
Just take a look at Steve Martin, who spent years traveling around the country performing comedy shows in front of only three or four people.
Yet he chose to persist with it; refining his act, honing each detail to perfection.
His focus on perfecting the small aspect’s of comedy earned him more and more admirers, who appreciated his refusal to conform to traditional comic standards.
He became less a comedic master and more an entertainer and host due to these efforts.
This proves that being successful as an artist does not require extravagant bohemianism or conforming to unhelpful stereotypes.
Something as accessible as TED talks demonstrates this; most speakers there appear perfectly ordinary, but still manage to capture audiences with their absolute dedication toward making positive change in their respective fields.
So while conventional social status may provide no guarantee of artistic success, obsessiveness over one’s art sure does – true artists are characterized by their passion for creating work above all else.
Overcoming Creative Block By Treating Writing Like Talking And Being Kind To Yourself
If you want to take advantage of all the creative opportunities the modern world has to offer, you need to think of writing as a daily activity.
When you adopt this mindset and make it a habit to write every day, you’ll quickly find that the fear and uncertainty that used to accompany writing a blank page start to fade away.
Having regular practice ensures that your writing will eventually reflect who you truly are as a person – your own unique voice.
Being comfortable with taking risks is just one key ingredient in becoming more creative.
What’s also important is self-discipline, which may involve making yourself accountable or simply setting rules and following them each day.
However, when it comes to managing yourself, remember to be kind.
It’s easy for us end up being much tougher on ourselves than on anyone else – if only because of all the freedom we give ourselves!
As an aspiring artist, it pays to pay attention to our inner voice and maintain an encouraging stance instead of criticizing unnecessarily.
Celebrate even small victories and remind yourself that there’s always room for growth!
Be the Steve Martin character from earlier: have confidence in your abilities and courageously go after what inspires you the most!
Wrap Up
At the end of The Icarus Deception, the key message that you should be left with is that creativity can be applied to any field.
Whether this is an artistic endeavour or a business venture, creative thinking and independent ideas are what give people an edge in today’s digital age.
It’s worth remembering too that while there may be challenges and struggles along the way, if you focus on how far you will go to ensure success of your project it will be worth it in the end.
