Being “Original” is Bad Advice

14 months ago, I interviewed the founder of a multimillion-dollar company.

He used to work for a company similar to the one he created. But now? His company is bigger and more successful than the one he left.

So what’s his secret?

I’ll reveal it in one second. But first, we need to consider the obvious problem—the main reason people aren’t successful.

Let me explain.

When most people start something new, they think they are smarter and more capable than the people before them. This is their biggest downfall.

They waste hours of their life trying to be “original”.

They try something that has never worked (for anybody) and are surprised when it doesn’t work for them. They don’t realize that others have gone down this path and failed. This is why it seems “original.”

They have no basic understanding of the craft or of the history that has brought it to this point. They don’t realize that many others have tested routes that didn’t work and only found one that did after years of experimenting. So, they copy the process of failure, not success.

When you copy the process of success, you start to understand how and why someone took that route; then, you can blend it into your style.

This is how you create original, unique ideas — without the pain of failure.

Every great philosopher, musician, and athlete has had a master they’ve learned from. One with a proven process of the basics.

Plato had Socrates.

Einstein had Talmey.

Buffett had Graham.

Originality is a great goal. But when people make it their first goal, they often fail miserably.

Why?

They fail to replicate what has worked and never master the basics. This leaves them feeling lost and helpless—more confused than when they started.

Here’s how to get results quickly and create originality in the long run.

Multimillion Dollar Secrets

“Good artists copy, great artists steal” — Pablo Picasso

So what was the secret of the multimillionaire?

He stole what he saw working and added in his unique skills.

But before you think “stealing is stupid” — let’s dive deeper.

Stealing proven processes that work for others makes it easier to master the basics of the craft and get favorable results quickly.

You get a baseline understanding of what it takes to be successful at something.

Plus, the person you take it from has most likely learned from someone else.

Now, I’m not saying to copy other people forever…. but it’s a great place to start when entering a new field. If you don’t, it’s like trying to build a house without understanding physics.

It won’t go well.

Since you don’t know what will work, take time to learn from people who’ve done it before and replicate their process.

Once you understand the basics, then you can start innovating and creating originality.

When you replicate what has already worked, you will get similar results to others who have done it before. You’ll see success faster than others trying to make their own path.

This approach puts you in a position to test and innovate. But when you start innovating right out of the box, you return to the stone age — you give up all the years of hard work that others have put into mastering the craft.

Another major benefit: taking this route makes it hard to quit. Most people quit because they see no results. They do something for a few months and give up. But when you steal proven processes from others, you build momentum.

But when you try to innovate first, you dive completely into the unknown and may take a route with a close-to 0% chance of success.

Think of this… every business has an Ideal Customer Profile, every painter understands lighting, and all athletes understand the rules of their game.

Your experiences make you original — but the basics don’t change.

Do this to master the basics (quickly).

The Path to High-Level Results (and Originality)

“Nobody is born with a style or a voice. We don't come out of the womb knowing who we are. In the beginning, we learn by pretending to be our heroes. We learn by copying.”―Austin Kleon

1) Find a Master

When starting, find someone who has done what you want to do… building a successful company, creating Facebook ads, or getting absolutely jacked. Each master has the same basic training and high-level understanding of what it takes to be successful in that field. Pick someone you resonate with.

Then do this.

2) Steal What Works

Then, copy their proven process. Replicate what they’ve done. This will give you a baseline understanding of their mind and their mastery of the craft. Put these ideas into action and see what works best for you.

High-level tip: you don’t have to replicate only one person. Find a few people you like and pick out bits and pieces of what you find most valuable.

Then, with these tools, you can form your path (this is where it gets good).

3) Create Your Style (How to be Original)

When you have the basics down, you can build upon them. You can do something that has never been done before. Merge these ideas into a style of your own — keep what you like, get rid of what you don’t.

This is how you become original and bring unique ideas into the world.

Thanks for reading friend,

Stay curious.

-Rocky "Master the Basics" Ferony

P.S...

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