30 Lessons From Art / Business / Life — Kening Zhu

Be unapologetically yourself in your work . Infuse as much of YOU into the work as possible. It won't be for everyone, but the ones that do stay and listen will be absolutely entranced. It’s better to have a few true fans than a room of half-hearted listeners.

Impress yourself first. Do all that you can to make yourself proud. You are your hardest critic. Make work that helps you fall in love with yourself — that is the magic key, NOT trying to impress others. Paradoxically, it works because that's what makes your work its absolute best.

Embrace the fact that there is no one like you, no touch like yours. Embrace your own magic touch .

You are enough, and you have enough. Work to believe that and it will feel true.

Reframe hard things so that it's enjoyable for you. The for you part is key. (For instance: networking, marketing, sharing your work, self promotion in general.)

Embrace the fact that there is no one like you, no touch like yours. Embrace your own magic touch .

Everything happens in cycles: flow —> resistance —> stuckness —> renewal Embrace the cyclical nature of everything

Develop a keen sense of what you love . Be devoted to the art of finding great and small loves, of nurturing old loves, and kindling new ones.

If the work feels like a drag, you're doing it wrong