Hugh MacLeod‘s helpful tips for those times when you want change, but don’t always appreciate the pain in that process:
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. Every body has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.
10. The more talented some body 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 can not hurt you.
13. Never compare your inside with some body 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 your self.
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 get ting 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.
37. When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams.
Related content:
Henry David Thoreau wrote “Things do not change, we change.” I think that is partly right. We are all part of one dynamic, interdependent system; when any one component within the system experiences a change, that change will potentially impact other components, or even the system as a whole. Most of the …
Free: The Future of a Radical New Price is now…Free!
Late last month, Chris Anderson released a free downloadable unabridged podcast/audiobook version of his book, Free: The Future of a Radical New Price as zipped mp3 files, and via iTunes. It chapter is an individual podcast; all of which are narrated by Chris. [caption id=”attachment_1506″ align=”aligncenter” width=”162″ caption=”Free: The Future of a Radical …
Knowledge can indeed be free, especially within the technology space; all it takes is a little initiative to find key web community sites, plus iTunes to unlock the podcast keys to the galaxy. My favorites include: Software Engineering Radio The Pragmatic Bookshelf IT Conversations Network Controlling Chaos Harvard Business Ideacast Business Now – if we’re bored, not learning …
My Favorite Hugh MacLeodisms From the Gaping Void
Hugh’s list of 37 tips which helped him be more creative is available as an awesome print and as a blog post. My favorites from his list : 5. You are responsible for your own experience. 9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb. 10. …
