Notes from book "Ignore Everybody and 39 other keys to Creativity"

1. Ignore everybody.
2. The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.
3. Put the hours in.
4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.
5. You are responsible for your own experience.
6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.
7. Keep your day job.
8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.
9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.
10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.
11. Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.
12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.
13. Never compare your inside with somebody else’s outside.
14. Dying young is overrated.
15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.
16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can’t.
18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.
19. Sing in your own voice.
20. The choice of media is irrelevant.
21. Selling out is harder than it looks.
22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.
23. Worrying about “Commercial vs. Artistic” is a complete waste of time.
24. Don’t worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.
25. You have to find your own schtick.
26. Write from the heart.
27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.
28. Power is never given. Power is taken.
29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.
30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.
31. Remain frugal.
32. Allow your work to age with you.
33. Being Poor Sucks.
34. Beware of tur­ning hob­bies into jobs.
35. Savor obscurity while it lasts.
36. Start blogging.
37. Mea­ning Scales, Peo­ple Don’t.
38. When your dreams become reality, they are no lon­ger your dreams.

From the book "Ignore Everybody and 39 other keys to Creativity" by Hugh McLeod. Picture drawn by Hugh McLeod. copyright Hugh McLeod. gapingvoid.com. 2009.

The list is for reference purposes. I'm sure I'll be looking at this to check in from time to time.

Found this book at Borders today while on a mission to get out and do something of some variety; follow my intuition. I was looking for guidance, career advice, some kind of foci to help isolate my "next right action" as it relates to securing my next meaningful employment. I saw this book in the business section next to titles about creative capital, how living where you live impacts your professional success and fulfillment, not least of which is your personal growth i.e. happiness. Other 'now' business memes.
Trends.

But this book, similar to M.T.I.V. by Hillman Curtis, communicates like an artist talking to another artist. Humble, wise, informed but not dogmatic. Practical in an optimistic manner. Praise for the work, for doing the time. Above all else, protect the practice, protect the craft, protect the creative impulse.