The Icarus Deception

1. Embrace art as a way to make connections and add value

Art is what we do when we're truly alive.

Art is human connection. In the new connection economy, art is no longer limited to traditional forms like painting or sculpture. It encompasses any creative work that touches another person and adds value. This broader definition of art includes innovative business ideas, compelling marketing campaigns, and even exceptional customer service.

Everyone can be an artist. The ability to create art is not reserved for a select few with innate talent. It's a mindset and a practice available to anyone willing to embrace vulnerability and share their unique perspective. By reframing our work as art, we open ourselves up to new possibilities for impact and fulfillment.

Examples of everyday art:

• A thoughtful email that inspires action
• A well-designed product that solves a problem
• A conversation that changes someone's perspective

2. Challenge the industrial mindset and fly higher

We've built a world where it's possible to fly higher than ever, and the tragedy is that we've been seduced into believing that we ought to fly ever lower instead.

The Icarus Deception. Society has conditioned us to play it safe and avoid standing out. This mindset, inherited from the industrial age, no longer serves us in the connection economy. We must challenge these limiting beliefs and embrace the risk of flying higher.

Redefine your comfort zone. Success in the new economy requires pushing beyond what feels comfortable. By gradually expanding our comfort zones, we can achieve things we never thought possible. This doesn't mean reckless risk-taking, but rather calculated steps towards meaningful goals.

Ways to expand your comfort zone:

• Take on a challenging project at work
• Share your ideas publicly (blog, social media, etc.)
• Learn a new skill outside your expertise

3. See the world as it is and make something new

The artist sees the world as it is, not as we wish it to be.

Develop fresh eyes. To create meaningful art, we must first learn to see the world clearly, without preconceptions or biases. This requires actively questioning our assumptions and being open to new perspectives. By truly observing our surroundings, we can identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Embrace the blank slate. Once we see clearly, we can approach problems with a fresh mindset. Instead of relying on established solutions, we should be willing to start from scratch and imagine entirely new possibilities. This "blank slate" approach is essential for breakthrough creativity.

Techniques for seeing differently:

• Practice mindfulness and present-moment awareness
• Seek out diverse experiences and viewpoints
• Ask "why?" repeatedly to uncover root causes

4. Overcome fear and resistance to create meaningful work

The resistance is evolution's way to keep us from making art.

Recognize the lizard brain. Our primitive brain, focused on survival, instinctively resists change and risk. This "lizard brain" manifests as fear, self-doubt, and procrastination when we attempt to create art. Acknowledging this internal resistance is the first step in overcoming it.

Dance with fear. Instead of trying to eliminate fear, we should learn to coexist with it. Fear is a natural part of the creative process and often indicates that we're pushing ourselves in meaningful ways. By reframing fear as a sign of growth, we can move forward despite discomfort.

Strategies for overcoming resistance:

• Develop a daily creative practice
• Set small, achievable goals to build momentum
• Surround yourself with supportive peers

5. Find your audience and ship your art

If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original.

Create for your tribe. Instead of trying to please everyone, focus on making art for a specific audience who shares your values and interests. This "tribe" will appreciate your unique perspective and help spread your ideas. By serving a niche audience well, your impact can grow organically.

Ship early and often. Perfectionism can be a form of resistance. Instead of endlessly refining your work, focus on sharing it with the world. The act of "shipping" – whether publishing a blog post, launching a product, or sharing an idea – is crucial for growth and improvement.

Tips for shipping your art:

• Set deadlines and stick to them
• Embrace iteration and continuous improvement
• Seek feedback from your target audience

6. Practice emotional labor and vulnerability

Emotional labor is the labor that's in demand today.

Invest in connections. The most valuable work in the connection economy involves genuine human interaction and emotional investment. This "emotional labor" requires vulnerability and a willingness to truly engage with others. By practicing empathy and authentic communication, we can create more meaningful connections and impactful art.

Embrace imperfection. Vulnerability means being willing to share our work even when it's not perfect. This openness allows for deeper connections and more honest feedback. Remember that your imperfections are often what make your art unique and relatable.

Ways to practice emotional labor:

• Actively listen without judgment
• Share personal stories and experiences
• Admit mistakes and learn from them publicly

7. Play the infinite game of creativity and innovation

The game is infinite if you play it that way.

Shift from scarcity to abundance. The industrial mindset focuses on finite resources and zero-sum competition. In contrast, the connection economy thrives on abundance – of ideas, connections, and opportunities. By adopting an abundance mentality, we open ourselves to new possibilities and collaborations.

Focus on the journey. Instead of fixating on specific outcomes or external validation, embrace the process of creation itself. View your work as a series of experiments and learning opportunities. This mindset allows for greater creativity and resilience in the face of setbacks.

Characteristics of the infinite game:

• Emphasis on continuous learning and growth
• Collaboration over competition
• Long-term thinking and sustainability

8. Develop grit and resilience in pursuing your art

Grit is the attitude of someone who realizes he has the power to care and is intent on doing something with it.

Cultivate perseverance. Creating meaningful art often requires sustained effort over long periods. Grit – the combination of passion and perseverance – is essential for overcoming obstacles and seeing projects through to completion. Developing grit involves setting clear goals, maintaining focus, and bouncing back from failures.

Embrace productive struggle. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable in any creative pursuit. Instead of viewing them as failures, reframe difficulties as opportunities for growth and learning. This resilient mindset allows you to persist in the face of adversity and continually improve your craft.

Ways to build grit:

• Set long-term goals aligned with your values
• Break large projects into smaller, manageable tasks
• Reflect on past successes to build confidence

9. Redefine success and embrace the journey

The true measure of your work is whether you touched someone.

Impact over metrics. In the connection economy, traditional measures of success like wealth or status become less relevant. Instead, focus on the impact your art has on others. Success comes from creating meaningful connections, solving problems, and leaving a positive legacy.

Celebrate small wins. The path of an artist is rarely linear or predictable. Learn to appreciate the small victories and incremental progress along the way. By finding joy in the creative process itself, you'll be more likely to persist and create lasting impact.

Alternative measures of success:

• Lives touched or changed by your work
• Problems solved or innovations introduced
• Relationships built and communities formed

Last updated: August 9, 2024