Are you ready to unleash your creativity without needing fancy tools or seeking the crowd's approval? Do you want to learn how to balance your passion with practicality, and strive for success without sacrificing your unique voice? Are you willing to accept pain and make sacrifices for your artistic journey? Ever wondered how drawing on business cards can turn into a thriving career? Dive in to explore these captivating stories from the realm of creativity and resilience, featuring famous personalities like Tim Burton, Abraham Lincoln, and Neil Young.

Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity

Key 1: Ignore Everybody
Ideas are like seeds. The more unique they are, the more people will think you're crazy. When Hugh MacLeod, the author, started drawing cartoons on the backs of business cards, everyone thought he was nuts. But he trusted his gut, even though that’s scarier than it sounds. 

Friends and colleagues couldn’t truly understand his vision, and their advice often fell flat. They liked him as he was, not as he might become, and that’s human nature. But good ideas shift the balance of power in relationships, which is why they’re often resisted at first.

Key 2: The Idea Doesn't Have to Be Big
The idea doesn’t have to be grand; it just has to be yours. People spend so much time chasing big achievements that they lose sight of what truly matters. MacLeod found freedom in doodling on business cards with no commercial angle, no ambition, just pure joy. This personal sovereignty made his work more powerful and eventually caught the world’s attention. The lesson? Your idea doesn’t need to be big; it just needs to be uniquely yours.

Key 3: Put the Hours In
Success demands time, effort, and stamina. People often asked if MacLeod worried about someone copying his simple business card doodles. His answer? Only if they could outdraw him, which was unlikely given the years he’d invested. The edge came from the countless hours he’d put in, driven by joy rather than a mercenary motive. 

Success isn’t about one intense burst of effort; it’s about consistent, long-term dedication. He kept his day job to stay grounded, allowing him to work on his art without financial pressure, which made his work more genuine and sustainable.

Key 4: Good Ideas Have Lonely Childhoods
Good ideas often have lonely beginnings. They seem outlandish at first, even to friends and respected peers. When MacLeod started drawing on the backs of business cards, people scratched their heads. But good ideas challenge the status quo, altering power dynamics, and that’s why they’re initially resisted. 

Once they gain traction, however, they attract people who may not understand the original vision but want to ride the success wave. Navigating this requires maintaining the integrity of the idea amidst external pressures.

Key 5: If Your Business Plan Depends on Suddenly Being Discovered by Some Big Shot, Your Plan Will Probably Fail
MacLeod turned down a substantial publishing deal because the company saw him as just another commodity. The internet now allows creators to build their own platforms, making them less reliant on middlemen. By the time publishers came knocking, he already had an audience and creative freedom. Big offers are great, but personal sovereignty is far more valuable in the long run.

Keys to Creativity: 1 - 5

Key 6: You Are Responsible for Your Own Experience
Ever felt like you're on a lonely path with a creative itch you can't quite scratch? You're not alone. Every creative person dreams of finding that Big Idea—the one that will catapult them from obscurity to stardom. Yet, when that idea finally comes, it doesn't feel like a glorious revelation. Instead, it's a persistent, nagging thought that seems utterly foolish. But you must pursue it anyway.

Key 7: Everyone Is Born Creative; Everyone Is Given a Box of Crayons in Kindergarten
Remember those kindergarten days with a box of crayons? As we grow older, society takes away our crayons and hands us mundane tasks. Rediscovering your creative spark as an adult is like asking for those crayons back. It's not about making money or mingling with celebrities; it's about creating something meaningful. Ignore the doubting adult voice inside you and listen to the wee voice that just wants to make something special.

Key 8: Keep Your Day Job
Creativity often doesn't pay the bills initially, hence the "Sex & Cash Theory." Balancing the passionate, creative work ("Sex") with the practical, income-generating tasks ("Cash") is essential. Even celebrated artists like John Travolta or Martin Amis juggle projects for passion and money. Accept this duality, and your career will likely advance faster.

Key 9: Companies That Squash Creativity Can No Longer Compete with Companies That Champion Creativity
In today's world, team players may maintain the status quo, but they rarely innovate. If you're a creative thinker, your company needs you now more than ever. Dust off your horn and start tooting it because your originality is crucial.

Key 10: Everybody Has Their Own Private Mount Everest They Were Put on This Earth to Climb
It doesn't have to be art; it could be anything from making a million dollars to starting a small business. The key is to acknowledge your personal Everest and make a genuine attempt to climb it. If you don't, you'll regret it later. So, admit its existence and start your ascent. Rock on.

Keys to Creativity: 6 - 10

Key 11: The More Talented Somebody Is, the Less They Need the Props
Talent doesn't need fancy tools. Imagine meeting someone who wrote a masterpiece on a deli menu—unsurprising, right? But a masterpiece penned with a silver Cartier fountain pen in a SoHo loft? That’s a shocker. Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address on borrowed stationery. Hemingway used a simple fountain pen. Van Gogh painted with just six colors. The message? Creativity isn’t about the tools.

Successful creatives streamline their tools to focus their mental energy on their mission. Fancy tools can become psychological crutches, hiding mediocrity. This applies to business too—failing companies often have the fanciest offices. Success comes from shedding these "pillars" and focusing on the work.

Key 12: Don't Try to Stand Out from the Crowd; Avoid Crowds Altogether
Your path should be as unique as your work. Take "Ted," for example. He moved to the big city to become famous but chose a well-trodden path. Years later, he’s still tending bar, no closer to his dream. Instead of following the crowd, create your own market. When MacLeod started drawing on business cards, it was just for fun. This freedom, free from commercial pressures, eventually paid off.

Key 13: If You Accept the Pain, It Cannot Hurt You
Accepting pain is crucial. Sacrifices hurt more than expected, but the experience of creating something meaningful is worth it. Even if it doesn’t succeed, the journey teaches invaluable lessons. Approach your creative work assuming it won’t be rewarded. This mindset removes external pressures and leaves you with one question: Do you want to bring your vision to life or not?

Key 14: Never Compare Your Inside with Somebody Else's Outside
Never compare your inner struggles with others’ external success. Here's a story from MacLeod's youth: He knew a guy who restored antique fireplaces. He transitioned from antiques to fireplaces because it was less emotionally taxing; he didn’t love fireplaces, so selling them was easier. The lesson here is that loving your product too much can hinder business success.

Key 15: Dying Young Is Overrated
The myth of the suffering artist is overrated. Many young creatives think they need to indulge in destructive behaviors to fuel their art, inspired by people like Charlie Parker or Jimi Hendrix. But true talent also requires time, discipline, and stamina. Most people who chase this myth end up with ruined lives and little to show for it. The real competition is hard at work, not wasting away in bars.

Keys to Creativity: 11 - 15

Key 16. Draw the red line.
A creative mind must learn to draw a red line between what they are willing to do and what they are not. In the professional world, the more you need the money, the more others will dictate your art. This often leads to compromised joy and creativity. Chris Ware, a top cartoonist, described his profession as "unrewarding," highlighting the harsh realities of giving up artistic control for financial gain. It’s crucial for artists to know their boundaries and what compromises they can live with.

Key 17: The world is changing.
The world is constantly changing, and those who adapt will thrive. Trust and relationships, not just technology, are paramount for future success. Surround yourself with creative, visionary people and avoid the dull, safety-seeking crowd. The traditional stability model no longer works; innovation and adaptability are key.

Key 18: Merit can be bought. Passion can't.
The drive to change the world comes from a primal dissatisfaction, a "Pissed Off Gene" that compels us to create and improve. If your job doesn’t let you pursue this primal urge, you’ll end up stuck in a corner-office cave, pretending to hunt woolly mammoths while merely pushing pencils.

key 19: Avoid the Watercooler Gang
These are people who complain endlessly and have long passed their prime. They may drag you down into a spiral of mediocrity and missed opportunities. Learn from their mistakes and stay clear of the toxicity.

Key 20: Sing in Your Own Voice
Every great artist and entrepreneur has limitations, but they turn their weaknesses into strengths. Whether it's Picasso’s poor color skills or Bob Dylan’s lack of technical prowess, they focused on their unique abilities. Don’t make excuses. Embrace your flaws and get on with your work. Time waits for no one.

Keys to Creativity: 16 - 20

Key 21: The choice of media is irrelevant.
When it comes to choosing a medium for your art, each has its own set of compromises. Whether it's the stillness of a painting, the multi-sensory experience of film, or the linearity of prose, there's no hierarchy. Every medium has its strengths and weaknesses. 

Key 22: Selling out is harder than it looks.
Selling out is more complicated than it seems. After college, MacLeod tried to land a job in advertising. He dumbed down his portfolio, thinking he would appeal to conservative housewives. A creative director advised him otherwise, suggesting that he show his best work first, then tone it down if necessary. This principle holds true in any field—no one will buy in if you dilute your essence from the start.

Key 23: Nobody Cares. Do It for Yourself
Nobody cares about your unfinished book, painting, or screenplay. People are too busy with their own lives. Making a big deal over your creative projects to others is the kiss of death. 

Key 24: Worrying About "Commercial vs. Artistic" Is a Complete Waste of Time
The debate between commercialism and artistic purity is endless and fruitless. People do it because it’s safer to argue about these things than to take the risks involved in making and selling something they believe in. So, focus on your creative sovereignty and the limited time you have.

Key 25. Don't worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.
Inspiration will find you; you don’t need to chase it. If you find yourself staring at a blank page with nothing to say, go out and live a little; the noise of inspiration will return soon enough. Until then, enjoy the silence.

Keys to Creativity: 21 - 25

Key 26: You have to find your own shtick.
Finding your unique voice is crucial in any creative pursuit. Think of how a Picasso painting, a Hemingway novel, or a Beethoven symphony is unmistakably the work of its creator. These artists found their “Ah-Ha!” moments—Jackson Pollock with splatter paint, Andy Warhol with silk-screen, Hemingway with brevity, and James Joyce with stream-of-consciousness prose. The key was not the format but the humanity they poured into their work. When you put your whole self into your art, you find your true voice.

Key 27: Write from the heart. There is no silver bullet.
Writing from the heart is another essential lesson. Intimacy in communication doesn’t scale; you can’t love a crowd the same way you love an individual. Whether your audience is one or a million, the only way to truly connect is to write from the heart. There’s no silver bullet, just the love and authenticity you bring to your work.

Key 28: The best way to get approval is not to need it.
In art, business, love, or life, self-assurance is key. It fosters true creativity.

Key 29: Power is never given. Power is taken. 
Power isn’t given; it's taken. When you're truly ready, you stop dreaming and start doing. You don't ask for permission; you assert your capability. Imagine walking into an editor's office and confidently declaring yourself the best sportswriter. That’s readiness.

Key 30: Whatever choice you make, the Devil gets his due eventually
Every choice comes with a price. The example of Van Gogh, who never sold a painting in his lifetime but became famous posthumously, shows that clichés about artistic struggle are often oversimplified. Whether you sell out like Warhol or stick to your guns, there’s no guaranteed path. Life is messy, and the balance between idealism and cynicism is challenging. Ultimately, the hard part is finding your own way while staying true to yourself.

Keys to Creativity: 26 - 30

Key 31: The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it
Getting used to being creative can be tough, but if you have that creative urge, it won’t go away. Back in 1989, while MacLeod was house-sitting in West London, the film director Tim Burton, who was filming "Batman," lived in the flat above. One evening over dinner, MacLeod confessed his apprehensions about pursuing a creative career. Tim's advice was straightforward: "If you have the creative bug, it isn't ever going to go away. I'd just get used to the idea of dealing with it." It was advice that stuck with him.

Key 32: Remain frugal.
Frugality is another lesson MacLeod learned the hard way. In 1997, he landed my dream job as a high-paid advertising copywriter in New York City. Glamorous parties and a big apartment—life was good, but expensive. When the recession hit, he was caught off guard and nearly found himself on the street. He realized that living modestly could have given him the cushion to weather financial storms better.

Key 33: Allow your work to age with you
Allowing your work to age with you is crucial. MacLeod's friend Dan, an aspiring filmmaker, still lives in the same one-bedroom apartment, drinking in the same bars. He’s the same person, just older. Growth means adapting to new interests and allowing your work to evolve with you. 

Key 34: Being Poor Sucks
The stark reality of being poor is something young people often underestimate. Everyone has that group of friends who lived off a few dollars a day while hitchhiking through Europe. But that was Youth, not Reality. While money isn't everything, ignoring its importance can be dangerous. The goal should be to become an effective human being, sometimes needing money and sometimes not.

Key 35: Beware of turning hobbies into jobs
Turning hobbies into jobs sounds ideal but comes with risks. A friend of MacLeod's, Andrew, was passionate about antique silver teaspoons. He left his accounting job for a prestigious auction house role. Initially, it seemed perfect, but he soon lost his job and developed a drinking problem. When you make your hobby your job, you might end up with neither. Balance is key.

Keys to Creativity: 31 - 35

Key 36: Savor obscurity while it lasts. 
Once you "make it," your work is never the same. It's a familiar story: a talented person creates something amazing in their early, lean years, and then fame changes everything. Rock stars often reminisce fondly about their basement days, creating breakthrough work while "eating dog food." 

Key 37: Start blogging. 
Blogging can catapult your work into the spotlight, as it did for Tom Reynolds, a London ambulance driver turned author. This advice isn’t just for writers; whether you're an artist, lawyer, or in IT, putting your ideas online can attract an audience and eventually financial success.

Key 38: Meaning scales, people don't. 
Life's meaning isn't about the scale of your endeavor but how meaningful it becomes to you. Whether pursuing an "Art Star" career in New York or opening a coffee shop in Texas, adventures are unpredictable. The mundane realities of life—family, friends, simple joys—remain the most meaningful, regardless of your success.

Key 39: When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams. 
Success will come from unexpected directions. MacLeod's "cartoons drawn on the backs of business cards" only became commercially successful after a decade. Initially, he turned to advertising to pay the bills, but the rise of the Internet changed everything. Blogging his cartoons led to new opportunities and financial stability.

Key 40: None of this is rocket science. 
MacLeod emphasizes that creativity, while often challenging, is fundamentally simple and accessible. His mantra? Work hard. Keep at it. Live simply and quietly. Remain humble. Stay positive. Create your own luck. Be nice. Be polite.

Keys to Creativity: 36 - 40

Starting with a unique creative act, like drawing cartoons on business cards, can often be met with skepticism from those around you. The originality of an idea can make it hard for others to see its potential initially, but perseverance is key. 

Creativity should be liberated from commercial pressures and financial stress, allowing for genuine, meaningful work. Keeping a stable day job can provide the freedom to create without market demands. Success often builds slowly; it's a long and challenging journey requiring effort and stamina.

Original ideas frequently face resistance because they disrupt existing power dynamics. It's important to maintain creative sovereignty and not rely on being "discovered" by industry gatekeepers. Instead, leverage tools like the internet to build an audience and negotiate from a position of strength.

Balancing passion with practicality, as described in the "Sex & Cash Theory," is essential for sustaining a creative career. It's crucial to avoid the pitfalls of comparing your inner struggles with others' external successes and to focus on creating for yourself.

Streamlining tools and focusing on the mission rather than fancy equipment can enhance creativity. Avoiding the crowd and carving your own unique path can lead to unexpected success. Accepting the pain and sacrifices involved in creative work is necessary, as is the realization that true talent requires discipline and hard work.

Finding your unique voice and writing from the heart are fundamental. Seeking approval can be detrimental; power and respect are earned through action, not granted. Every creative journey comes with its own set of challenges and compromises, and staying true to oneself is crucial.

Financial prudence and balance are also vital. Protecting your creative freedom includes managing finances wisely and not turning hobbies into jobs at the expense of passion and joy. Embrace the inevitable changes in interests and pursuits as you grow older.

Finally, savor obscurity while it lasts, as success can change the nature of creative work. Blogging and sharing your ideas online can bypass traditional gatekeepers and attract an audience. Life's meaning comes not from the scale of success but from the personal significance of your endeavors. Success often arrives from unexpected directions, and maintaining humility, positivity, and politeness can pave the way.

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Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity

Hugh MacLeod

Are you ready to unleash your creativity without needing fancy tools or seeking the crowd's approval?

Do you want to learn how to balance your passion with practicality, and strive for success without sacrificing your unique voice?

Are you willing to accept pain and make sacrifices for your artistic journey?

Ever wondered how drawing on business cards can turn into a thriving career?

Dive in to explore these captivating stories from the realm of creativity and resilience, featuring famous personalities like Tim Burton, Abraham Lincoln, and Neil Young.

Key Ideas

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