I just finished “Ignore Everybody” (affiliate link) by Hugh MacLeod and loved it. Hugh is the guy who does those Gapingvoid cartoons on the backs of business cards. I’ll admit, I don’t really get or even like those cartoons, but I loved Hugh’s blunt essay on creativity and gained lots of insight and inspiration from it.
So who should read this book? Anybody who creates things. I’m guessing this includes a lot of people. Artists, writers, entrepreneurs, developers, designers, etc. will all probably enjoy this book. The style is short, bold, and irreverent and it seems to work.
Hugh has a way of saying things that come across like a much needed kick in the pants. Like the chapter titled “Power is never given. Power is taken.” In this chapter, he states:
People who are “ready” give off a different vibe from people who aren’t. Animals can smell fear. And the lack thereof.
Simple insights like this are not earth-shattering, but it had the effect of pulling me back into a state of self-awareness that helped me look critically at how I approach my work and my creativity.
The book is short, which I like. Fast readers will probably devour it in a matter of hours.
If you create things, I cannot recommend this book enough. It’s a blunt, down-to-earth message that I think will help fuel your creativity. I read it on Kindle but you can also grab it in other formats. If you read it and enjoyed it, I would love your thoughts below.
Book Michael to Speak
Michael is a dynamic and sought-after speaker for conferences, meetings, and trainings. He delivers high-value engaging content for groups of all sizes. Book Michael Now.
