Innovation and CreativityCreativity in Business
Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod
Introduction
“Ignore Everybody” is a guide to unlocking creativity in business and life, written by cartoonist and blogger Hugh MacLeod. Through a mixture of personal anecdotes, illustrations, and keen observations, MacLeod lays out 40 short chapters, each packed with wisdom and actionable advice. The book is both a practical manual and an inspirational read for anyone looking to foster creativity in a commercial environment.
Key Takeaways and Actions
1. Ignore Everybody
Point: The central advice MacLeod gives is to ignore everyone else’s advice about your creative work. True innovation stems from original thought, which is often met with resistance.
Example: MacLeod recounts how maintaining his artistic vision against market pressures helped him build a unique career as a blogger and cartoonist.
Action: Trust your own instincts and inner voice. Write down your creative ideas and pursue them, even if others don’t immediately understand or agree.
2. The Idea Doesn’t Have to Be Big. It Just Has to Be Yours
Point: Authenticity trumps size. A small, original idea can have a big impact if it’s true to who you are.
Example: MacLeod shares his experience with drawing “cartoons on the back of business cards,” an idea that was simple but unique to him.
Action: Start with personal passion projects, no matter how small they seem. Validate your ideas by how much they resonate with you first.
3. Put the Hours In
Point: Creativity is not just about inspiration but also about hard work and commitment.
Example: MacLeod discusses how long hours of drawing and refining his craft contributed to his success.
Action: Dedicate regular hours each week to your creative practice. Set goals for progress to maintain steady momentum.
4. Good Ideas Have Lonely Childhoods
Point: Every innovative idea often faces loneliness and skepticism during its early stages.
Example: MacLeod’s cartooning style was initially met with indifference and confusion by peers and the public.
Action: Be patient with your ideas. Allow them time to develop and mature independently of public opinion.
5. If Your Business Plan Depends on You Being “Discovered,” You’re Not Going to Make It
Point: Waiting for external validation or a ‘big break’ is futile. Success comes from proactive effort.
Example: MacLeod describes watching other artists fail as they waited for someone to discover their talent, instead of actively promoting themselves.
Action: Take initiative in marketing your work. Use social media platforms, blogs, and networking to gain visibility.
6. Someone Can’t Make a Living off Your Art? Good!
Point: True art often does not conform to commercial requirements.
Example: MacLeod relishes the freedom of not having to tailor his art to fit commercial success.
Action: Focus on creating for creativity’s sake. Avoid altering your style to fit market demand; let originality flourish.
7. Selling Out is Fine, Aiming to be Rich is Not
Point: It’s acceptable to earn from your creativity, but material wealth should not be the primary motivation.
Example: MacLeod emphasizes that making money from his cartoons allowed him to keep creating, but he never aimed to be wealthy from it.
Action: Monetize your creative work in ways that do not compromise your artistic integrity. Keep your primary motivation rooted in the love for your craft.
8. Keep Your Day Job
Point: Maintaining a steady job offers stability, allowing you to take creative risks without financial pressure.
Example: MacLeod worked in advertising, which provided night-time freedom to develop his cartoons without monetary anxiety.
Action: Identify a job that pays the bills and affords you enough free time to pursue your creative passions.
9. Companies That Squash Creativity Can’t Last
Point: Companies that stifle creativity are doomed, as innovation is essential to long-term success.
Example: MacLeod mentions companies that spectacularly failed because they refused to innovate.
Action: Cultivate an environment at your workplace that encourages new ideas and risk-taking.
10. Everybody Has Their Own Private Mount Everest They Were Put on This Earth to Climb
Point: Everyone has a unique challenge or goal—a calling—that is deeply personal and fulfilling to pursue.
Example: For MacLeod, his Mount Everest was achieving and maintaining a successful cartoon blog.
Action: Identify your ‘Mount Everest’ in terms of goals or dreams. Break it down into smaller, achievable steps.
11. The More Talented Somebody Is, The Less They Need the Props
Point: True talent stands out without superficial enhancements or gimmicks.
Example: MacLeod’s minimalist style required no elaborate tools or stages, just a pen and a business card.
Action: Strip your work down to its core elements. Focus on honing your fundamental skills rather than relying on external props.
12. Don’t Worry About Finding Inspiration. It Comes Eventually
Point: Creativity often arrives during the process of working, not before.
Example: MacLeod shares instances where his best ideas came during the act of drawing, not beforehand.
Action: Engage in creative work regularly. Start creating even if you don’t feel inspired and trust that inspiration will follow.
13. You are Responsible for Your Own Experience
Point: How you perceive and react to life’s events profoundly affects your own creative journey.
Example: MacLeod recounts his conscious decision to view rejection and criticism constructively.
Action: Cultivate a positive mindset. Reflect daily on how you can learn from experiences, both good and bad.
14. Aim Low
Point: Starting with achievable, small-scale goals builds confidence and momentum.
Example: MacLeod started by drawing cartoons on business cards instead of aiming for gallery exhibitions right away.
Action: Set small, attainable targets for your creative projects. Celebrate small wins to motivate continued progress.
15. The Best Way to Get Approval is Not to Need It
Point: Creating for self-satisfaction often yields the best work, free from the burden of needing others’ approval.
Example: MacLeod ignored conventional success metrics, fostering a style purely for his enjoyment.
Action: Develop a self-reliant evaluation system for your work. Create for intrinsic satisfaction first.
16. Make a Living from Your Passion
Point: True contentment comes when your passion and livelihood align.
Example: MacLeod’s successful synthesis of passion (drawing cartoons) and profession (advertising creativity).
Action: Explore ways to fuse your interests and income. Use side gigs and freelance opportunities to gradually bridge the gap.
Conclusion
“Ignore Everybody” is a guide for anyone struggling to nurture creativity within the confines of business demands. Hugh MacLeod provides not only inspiration but concrete steps to discover and foster one’s unique creative voice. By distilling his own journey and diverse experiences, MacLeod offers a robust manual on pursuing originality and maintaining integrity in a commercially driven world. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or corporate professional, the insights from this book encourage you to carve out a path true to your creative spirit.