The Earth Without Art

— 14 Comments

The “earth” without “art” is just “eh.”

Perhaps you have heard that before.

The Earth Without Art is "Eh"

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Let me put it another way for you though:

The earth without your art is just “eh.”

It’s missing something. It’s missing something only you can bring.

Art is not just what most people typically think of as “art.” It’s not just paintings, sculptures, music, and poetry.

Art is leading well. It’s parenting well. It’s in discovery, invention, and anytime pen hits paper (or fingers hit keyboards). Every email you send has the potential to be art. Every word you speak, every idea you think up in the shower, and every time you welcome your spouse or children home has the potential to be a work of art.

And the world needs it. But as I said here, it will not wait for it.

Architects are artists. The world needs them.

Coaches are artists. Teams need them.

Apple produces art with each new innovation.

Starbucks sells art, not coffee.

Your idea, your invention, your solution to any problem…that is art.

Today, resolve to think like an artist. Today, resolve to make art. Today, resolve to share your art.

Then make some more.

Go. Make. Art.

As I promised on Monday, the podcast I recorded about the book The Icarus Deception with Todd Liles and Dan Black is live. You can listen to it here:

Do you view yourself as an artist? What art can you make and share today?

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  • http://twitter.com/robertkennedy3 Robert Kennedy III

    I have actually not seen this statement before. Just pinned it. You are so right. We each have something unique to give….our art. I’m going to go create some new art today ;-)

    • http://www.mattmcwilliams.com/ Matt McWilliams

      Awesome Robert!

      It’s only a change in words to the cynical, but when I started viewing what I do everyday as art, it really did change the way I work.

  • http://www.danerickson.net/ Dan Erickson

    I wonder if those Canadians are onto something, eh? I like to think of all of life as art myself. As a writer, musician, poet, teacher, I look at the world as a pallet in which we can add and take away from to create a better world and life.

    • http://www.mattmcwilliams.com/ Matt McWilliams

      HA! +2 pts. for a Canadian joke!

  • http://www.lilykreitinger.com/ Lily Kreitinger

    I listened to the podcast yesterday and you guys got me thinking. I think I am performing, rather than producing art. I am still in the quest for what my kind of art I have to offer that the world needs… Any ideas? ;0)

    • http://www.mattmcwilliams.com/ Matt McWilliams

      I can only speak to what I did.

      The first thing I did was view everything I HAD to do that day (write a newsletter for a client, emails with clients, sales calls, etc.) as art. That meant that no matter what I was doing that day, it was art. I didn’t so much as try to “find my art” as I did make everything I was already doing art.

      And the results spoke for themselves. People noticed. I can’t share the emails I got publicly, but they proved I was on the right path.

      Then you carry that over to your dream.

      • http://www.lilykreitinger.com/ Lily Kreitinger

        Those are great ideas… now all I have to do is work on the dream.

        • http://www.hardandsimple.blogspot.com/ Mark Sieverkropp

          Thats the challenge. As you work through it you’ll find it. I firmly believe that as you work through things you just catch glimpses of what you’re suppose to be doing. And sooner or later you put the whole picture together. It’s like a scavenger hunt :)

  • http://www.hardandsimple.blogspot.com/ Mark Sieverkropp

    That was a great podcast Matt. I really enjoyed it. and you mentioned me..which may affect my opinion of the podcast ;) The only thing that would’ve made me like it more would’ve been mentioning my blog address ;)
    haha, but seriousy, awesome podcast. And I love the definition of art. I had never thought of it that way, but we are all creating every day. When I write a blog post: art. When I write a thank you note: art. When I put together a new spreadsheet to track something at work: art. When I cook a meal at home: art (ok, i’m pretty sure thats a lie, what I cook probably isn’t art!)
    Good stuff.

    • http://www.mattmcwilliams.com/ Matt McWilliams

      I draw the line at spreadsheets Mark. Spreadsheets are the antithesis of art :)

      • http://www.hardandsimple.blogspot.com/ Mark Sieverkropp

        Geez, a guy can’t catch a break! “EVERYONE’S AN ARTIST!!!” he proclaims from the rooftops, and then parenthetically adds “(except mark, he’s not!)”

  • http://jonstolpe.com/ Jon Stolpe

    I’m learning to think of myself more and more as artist. My writing is definitely a place where I feel more “artsy”. But I can see that it also pours into other areas of my life. As I lead people in my office, I have an opportunity to create art as I help to mold and shape my team and team members.

  • http://www.endlessimpact.com jasonS

    I agree with you, Matt. We can’t be productive or effective without creativity and artistic expression in everything. It makes life beautiful! Thanks Matt.

    • http://www.mattmcwilliams.com/ Matt McWilliams

      Indeed it does Jason!