Do you steal like an artist when trying to improve your practice? I HOPE SO!

Wow, I absolutely love to find a book that I think may be a good read, crack it open, and immediately be able to make a deep connection to what the author is saying. I am only a few pages through the book, ‘Steal Like an Artist”, but I have been able to already make a link between the author’s words and to the power of blogging. I think that we are always in pursuit of excellent ideas and we actively search the internet and make important connections to those who inspire us. As a direct result of searching for and finding the gifts that exist out there, we feel compelled to apply what we have found within our own practice as educators.

Do we actually steal the great ideas of others? The author of Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon, says that we do indeed steal the ideas of others, but that there is a genuine process involved when doing so.

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Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only the things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (your theft) will be authentic.
Jim Jarmusch

I feel as though I am consistently on this path when reflecting on what being a teacher means and when looking for ways to improve my practice. During this relentless pursuit of bettering my instruction, I come across so many inspiring ideas and excellent reading that fuels my passion for blogging. I guess I am a thief!!! This is a great image from the book that speaks volumes to me.

What great advice, isn’t it? Read deeply, stay open, continue to wonder, and use Google whenever possible. Simple yet fascinatingly true when attempting to improve ourselves as people and as teachers. I love it!