Some time ago I came across this quote from Neil Gaiman that had a big impact in me. Later on I found that it was part of a speech he gave on a commencement ceremony at The University of the Arts. "Make good art" it was called, and it really resonated with me because I was graduating myself back then.

The speech is very touching, but the highlight for me is still the quote I first read:

"The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can."

Neil Gaiman

This changed the way I saw myself and the work I was doing. To me it speaks of listening to yourself and trusting your guts. It's about putting yourself into the work you do, and doing so it can only make it unique. After all, we are not automated machines doing some generic work (at least I'm not).

Earlier in the speech, Gaiman talks about how he managed to accomplish most of the work he dreamed as a teenager. And I think that the reason he's able to write such amazing stories is that he still listen to his inner child. He loves what he do, and he makes that truly his own.

And that inspires me every time I remember his quote. Because of it, I try to really immerse myself in whatever I do, putting my soul in it and really make it the best I can, knowing that the outcome will be something only I could have created.