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Why You Should Read “Real Artists Don’t Starve”

by Jeff Goins

Fahri Karakas
4 min readNov 29, 2024
Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash

What if the “starving artist” myth is actually killing your creative potential?

Jeff Goins shatters the romantic notion of the struggling artist and reveals a revolutionary truth:

The most successful creatives aren’t martyrs — they’re smart strategists.

The Mindset Revolution

Most artists believe they must choose between creativity and prosperity. Goins reveals why this is a false choice:

The Starving Artist:
- Waits for inspiration
- Values pure originality
- Suffers for their art
- Goes all-in immediately
- Relies on a single skill

The Thriving Artist:
- Works systematically
- Builds on influences
- Strategizes smartly
- Builds step by step
- Diversifies skills and income

The Portfolio Principle

Here’s the game-changing insight:

“Thriving Artists don’t just live off their art. Like good investors, they keep diverse portfolios…

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Fahri Karakas
Fahri Karakas

Written by Fahri Karakas

Associate Professor in Business & Leadership at University of East Anglia. Passionate about doodling, imagination, and creativity. Author of Self-Making Studio.

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