Generosity

Be the 1%

Be the 1%

I recently finished the book Show Your Work by Austin Kleon.  I really enjoyed chapter 9 which is entitled "sell out".  In the chapter, he rails against the notion that is wrong to get paid for your work.  On page 168, Austin tells the story of the man who had a guy come up to him after a poetry reading and told him that his poetry reading changed his life.  When he asked him if he wanted to buy a book for five dollars he said, "Nah, that is ok."    Austin Kleon writes that "sold out" is the best sign an artist can put on his work. Reading this chapter reminded me of the Occupy Movement.  My goal is not to be a occupier, it is to create something truly special. If I am paid well for it, that is one measure of my success.  Yes I do want to be the 1%.  My goal is to be the best I can be.