Ignore Everybody

Knocked off my 4th book this year "Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity". I am disappointed with how long it took me to read this one because it is an easy read and I enjoyed it. I will forewarn you that the author Hugh MacLeod does not filter his thoughts. His thoughts are written raw and communicate just what he intends without apology. Hugh is way above average intelligence. He is the world leader in cartoons drawn on the back of business cards.

This book is focused on keys to creativity but it is also packed full of life lessons. I agree with many of them but haven't taken time to articulate most of them. As I did last time, I will share with you some quotes from the book that connected with me in some way. I hope you enjoy and I am interested in your comments.

• "The sovereignty you have over your work will inspire far more people than the actual content ever will."
• Being good at anything is like figure-skating - the definition of being good at it is being able to make it look easy. But it never is easy. Ever."
• ". . . if and when you finally come up with the "Big Idea", . . . how do you know whether or not it is "The One"? "Answer: You don't".
• "Everyone has their own private Mount Everest." "You may never reach the summit; for that you will be forgiven. But if you don't make at least one serious attempt to get above the snowline, years later you will find yourself lying on your deathbed, and all you will feel is emptiness."
• ". . . when you know full well you have had the opportunity [but didn't take it] - that hurts far more than any failure."
• "Don't worry about finding inspiration." "Inspiration precedes the desire to create, not the other way around."
• "A lot of people in business say they have 20 years' experience, when in fact they really have one years' experience, repeated 20 times."
• "If you are successful, it'll never come form the direction you predicted. Same is true if you fail."