There is an awful lot of sanctimonious crap that gets handed down with regard to creativity. The “truth” of what matters with regard to creativity (and personal innovation) is much harder to arrive at because, really, self-expression is very different for all of us.  Real wisdom about creativity, the truth so to speak, is hard to come by.  After all this is a world that sells millions of copies of The Secret, which says wishing and believing is all it takes to achieve your dreams. I believe it takes wishing and believing, but it also takes structure, hard work, and good choices to leverage one’s creativity.  Everyone is creative, but not everyone knows how to be creative.

I just finished reading Ignore Everybody, and 39 Other Keys to Creativity, by Hugh MacLeod and I’m struck by, impressed by, his take no prisoners approach. This is a nice, short, to-the-point, practical, and ultimately inspirational book that anyone attempting a creative life should read. To me, about 35 of his 39 have the real ring of truth and the other four were honest attempts.

MacLeod is “famous” for his business card sized cartoons and his gapingvoid.com blog. The cartoons in the text add a humorous spice to an already good book — and they are there for more than entertainment.  They are a testimony to his philosophies and underscore visually his creativity suggestions.  Perhaps my favorite is Number 35, “Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.” As someone who has seen this happen and knows it’s perils, I think it is incredibly good advice.  A person with an enjoyable hobby and a good paying job should consider themselves lucky.  Following your passion is good advice, and, it goes right in the crapper with other good advice when you suddenly realize you can’t make your mortgage payments.

This book was uplifting to me — it enables in only the best sort of way.  Check it out!