If you have an idea you’re excited about and you don’t bring it to life, it’s not uncommon for the idea to find its voice through another maker. This isn’t because the other artist stole your idea, but because the idea’s time has come.
Rick Rubin, The Creative Act: A Way of Being
This mental framework is important for all artists to understand and embrace. It works in multiple directions. Some get trapped in their own self-made prison by becoming attached to strict rules relating to striving for pure originality, by obsessing over protecting "their own ideas," and in many instances the self-defeating self-consciousness that can derive from such flawed thinking.
My personal theory is that these types of thought patterns are closely linked to patterns like perfectionism. While often well intended they can really limit growth, development, productivity and perhaps most importantly, enjoyment as a working artist.
Human history is longer than most of us can perceive. The history of human creativity is too. Truly novel ideas are rare. Let's not waste time waiting for them to come to us.
Put brush to canvas, pen to paper and create. Let great art that inspires you influence your work. If you draw from others simply acknowledge it and avoid passing it off as your own.
We are all connected, alone, different and the same. We all are part of the past, present and future. Let us not allow our ego based impulses to limit our futures as artists. Let us not let those same impulses limit our ability to appreciate other creatives who are on their own creative journeys.
If you are excited about an idea go for it!
If enough time passes and you ignore the ideas that resonate with you then someone else will pick them up and bring them to life. Not the end of the world but it sure seems possible that the world could use your version too 😀
It’s like fishing. If you don’t throw your line into the water, you definitely will not catch any fish, but someone downstream who does, just might!