Why Originality is Overrated

Most creatives start out believing the myth that they need to be completely original.

Most creatives start out believing the myth that they need to be completely original.

They believe that if they are not original, they will be ridiculed, shamed, and publicly humiliated.

But despite this belief, and the threat of social suicide, most creatives still start out copying the work of those that inspire them. They replay that melody, copy that product, study that painting, and write in their favorite author’s style.

The reason for this is obvious—most people only find their own voice, after spending some time sounding like everyone else’s.

When this goes well, they discover that there is art that only they can make, because there is only one them.

And that sometimes, people just need to hear their idea from their unique perspective. Someone they resonate with, or someone like them, and that’s all it takes to make an impact in their lives.

So, instead of trying to be original, seek to be authentic.

And in the process you may discover the key to making your message stand out amongst amongst the crowd and call out to those who need to hear it.

Nothing is Original

The unfortunate thing about originality, is that nothing is truly original.

There are only very old things being rediscovered all the time, and over and over again.

Think about this… each human who has ever lived on the Earth has lived ~100 years worth of life experience at maximum (that’s very optimistic and assuming that they take care of themselves).

During this time, many common themes will continue to re-emerge again and again. Love. Loss. Sorrow. Hope. Metamorphosis. New beginnings. There’s only so many story chains that can unfold within the realm of what we human beings find meaningful.

But the shapes those can take, when flavored with our own unique perspectives, and experiences, are infinite.

(Just like how there are only 7 notes and 7 colors, yet an infinite number of melodies and pictures that can be made.)

That’s what it means to be authentic. To create from your own experiences, from your own point of view. Without faking anything in the process, or pretending to be any way other than what you our. Proudly, simply, you. And many times it’s not the uniqueness of the message, but someone needing to hear it from someone they trust, admire, or relate to, for it to finally sink in.

So, instead of seeking to be original, and saying something that has never been said before, try saying something in a way that only you can.

In the process, you may actually stumble upon unexplored territory and accidentally be original, as a byproduct (and not the aim) of self-expression.

But saying something in a way that only you can, will require you to embrace your personal truth, and become more vulnerable than you have ever felt.

And no one said it would be easy.

From Vulnerable to Invulnerability

We are constantly bombarded with lies in the news, spam in the media, and sensationalism in advertising.

So much so, that we are now hypersensitive to the truth.

Now, we can smell something real, among a sea of more-of-the-same. When something was created from a place of truth and authenticity, we can feel it.

Which means that when something is created from a place of truth and authenticity, it stands out to us amidst the seat of noise.

But creating something from a place of truth means getting vulnerable.

Utterly, and totally vulnerable. Uncomfortably, so. Because when you create something from your truth, that means you are putting YOU on display.

You’re taking something raw, and private, and putting it out on the public forum. Exposing it to feedback, criticism, and maybe even praise.

You’re opening yourself up to the unknown and saying, “This is me. This is my experience. Do with it what you will, or do nothing with it at all.”

This process is deeply uncomfortable.

Every part of your brain that was wired for survival will try to put on the brakes and grind this process to a halt. It doesn’t want you to get naked and be put on display. To your brain, social arrows hurt just as bad as real ones.

But there’s a secret power to vulnerability, that only the brave discover.

Which is that: when you acknowledge your own faults first, you can use them to your advantage and make yourself invulnerable to insults.

When someone criticizes you, it only has power because of your reaction, or the reactions of others (which is dictated by your reaction anyways).

But when you are vulnerable and criticize yourself first, either when expressing yourself, or when taking responsibility for the reality of what is, you take the only thing that can be used against you and make yourself invulnerable to it.

This lesson is exemplified in the fantasy epic Game of Thrones, when

George R.R. Martin speaks through the anti-hero Tyrion and says, “Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you.”

So, don’t waste precious time or creative energy trying to mask the truth, or trying to be original (which is often not the truth, either).

Instead, use what makes you unique to your advantage by acknowledging it and embracing it. Because when you make your weakness your strength, it can’t be used against you.

And better yet, it will help you stand out amongst masses of others who are too afraid to do the same.

— —

This myth is 4 of 6, click here to discover the rest in my free book >>

Colton Swabb is a writer, marketer, and creativity researcher. In his free book he teaches how creatives can stop sabotaging their own success and satisfaction and instead, make a massive impact with what they create.