[sei]

[the genius filter]

How To Succeed At Anything

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Paul Klein spent decades in the art world, quietly watching great minds gatekeep themselves.

For years, he ran one of Chicago’s most respected galleries. He saw the same mistake over and over again: artists waiting. Waiting to be discovered, to get represented, to get picked.

Klein believed in something different, so he turned his attention to helping artists build careers on their own terms.

He taught strategies to combat self-cynicism and chase ambition without apology. He told artists to stop hoping and start showing. Build relationships. Find your village. Take responsibility for getting your work into the world; basically:

Get out of your own way.

This issue breaks down the mindset Klein taught in his courses, in his lectures, and in the way he lived his life: Make good art, make it yours, but make sure people see it.

[the spark]

Stop Waiting to Be Chosen

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In his lecture at the Chazen Museum, Paul Klein shared an observation he couldn’t ignore after decades in the art world.

Again and again, he watched artists fall into the same trap: waiting. Waiting to be discovered. Waiting for permission. Waiting for someone else to make them visible.

Klein called that a myth. Success, he said, doesn’t come to those who wait. It begins the moment you choose yourself.

He described the art world not as a single hierarchy, but as a constellation of “villages”: social ecosystems where artists can belong, contribute, and thrive. The challenge is to find yourself among the stars, then make sure your light shines.

That starts with responsibility. Not just for the work, but for its reach. Klein taught artists that if you believe your work matters, it’s your job to show it. Visibility isn’t vanity, it’s a part of the craft.

No one can give you permission to stand out. But they will meet you halfway if you step forward first.

Don't wait to be chosen.

[the science]
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It's Good to Step Out of Line

In 1999, researchers from Notre Dame and Chicago tracked nearly 500 professionals across industries. They were looking for one thing: what drives long-term success?

They found that people who took initiative, who made moves before they were invited, who built their own networks, and treated their careers like a project, got promoted faster.

And sure, that means they earned more; they climbed the corporate ladder faster. But they also reported more satisfaction with their work.

The lead researcher called it a “proactive personality.” But it’s what Klein would’ve just called "showing up".

He spent years telling artists to stop waiting for a rescue and start creating momentum. The science backs him up. Waiting to be picked is a strategy for stalling, and ultimately comes from a place of fear.

The people who progress are the ones who find their villages, ask the questions, grow relationships, and keep up the momentum.

Visibility doesn’t reward talent alone. It rewards motion.

Start moving.

[the takeaways]

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1) Stop Waiting​
​Waiting to be discovered is just avoiding moving forward. Klein saw it in artists. The science proved it across careers. Progress comes to those who seize the day.

2) Build Before You're Ready​
​The most successful people in the 1999 study weren’t necessarily the most qualified; they were just the most proactive. Show up early, even if you feel late.

3) Find Your Village(s)​
​Klein saw the art world as a network of overlapping communities and opportunities to stand out. The researchers found the same thing: people who built networks moved further and faster.

4) Show Your Work
​Talent means nothing if no one sees it. Klein pushed artists to take responsibility for their visibility. The science backs him up: motion creates opportunity, but opportunity demands action.

5) Step Forward First​
​People will meet you halfway, but only if they can see you. The myth of being chosen dies the moment you realize: it’s your move.