Words to live by

Here are 35 tips I stumbled across, written by Hugh Macleod, cartoonist, author and CEO of a South African wine company.

So you want to be more creative - in art, in business, or whatever..?

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 - we 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   The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.
30   Remain frugal.
31   Allow your work to age with you.
32   Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.
33   Savor obscurity while it lasts.
34   Start blogging.
35   When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams.