← Notes
Amateur Mindset
The Amateur Mindset is about embracing the beginner’s perspective and valuing contribution over perfection.
Key Principles
- Amateurs know that contributing something is better than nothing
- You can move from mediocre to good in increments
- “That’s all any of us are: amateurs. We don’t live long enough to be anything else.” — Charlie Chaplin
- “In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind, there are few.” — Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Monk
Related Concepts
- [[Amateur]] — the enthusiast who pursues work in the spirit of love
- [[Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset]] — learning and development
- [[Scenius]] — contributing to creative communities
- [[Digital Garden]] — sharing work in progress
Source: [[Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon]]
Linked References
- [[Amateur]]
The enthusiast who pursues her work in the spirit of love.
- [[Creativity is a Way of Operating - John Cleese]]
Creativity is not a talent, it is a way of operating.
- [[Dunning-Kruger Effect]]
Cognitive bias where people with low ability overestimate their competence, while high performers …
- [[Lone Genius Myth]]
The false narrative that great work emerges from isolated individuals with superhuman talents.
- [[Mortality Awareness]]
Using awareness of death to clarify priorities and make meaningful choices.
- [[Process is Messy]]
You have to make stuff. Share something small every day.
- [[Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon]]
10 ways to share your creativity and get discovered - a guide to showing your work and building an …