No copying allowed
Why you can be inspired and get inspiration from others but shouldn't copy.
You can only copy and take ideas from others, but you cannot copy. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
When getting started in anything, it is always good to draw inspiration and motivation from someone or something that you admire. However, it becomes a very slippery slope when you start copying word for word, action for action, or step for step. You will not develop properly and will always be one step behind.
The greatest risk you run when directly copying someone else’s work or method is that you may very well completely miss that which might make you great.
Going back to Jocko Willink’s podcast with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
As Arnold was rising in his career, he was constantly put down for his physique and accent; however, they soon became his greatest assets in movies like Conan the Barbarian. Arnold says that the only reference for the larger-than-life character was a painting; if they hadn’t found Arnold, they would have had to make an artificial Conan.
Also in The Terminator, Director James Cameron said that Arnold’s physique gave the audience the impression of an artificial machine, and when he spoke, it confirmed the impression, hence solidifying Arnold’s place as the Terminator.
These points are so evident to us now that we take them for granted, but so many of Arnold’s piers were telling him the opposite: he forged his own path; he did not copy.
The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. Ryan Holiday.
Avoid overthinking. When you’re happy with the work and you're moved to share it with a friend, it might be time to share it with the whole world as well. Rick Rubin.
Forge your own path Don’t let others tell you what your limits are; if you haven’t tried it, you won’t actually know until you do.
