Ignore Everybody

"Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten." This book asks, how can we rediscover and harness that creativity as adults?

1. Creativity Cannot Be Forced

Creativity isn’t something you can summon at will. Much like an unexpected sneeze or hiccup, inspiration often strikes when you least expect it. The trick is not to sit around waiting for the perfect idea but to remain open and prepared at all times. MacLeod emphasizes that creativity is a natural process that thrives when we stop obsessing over it.

Moments of inspiration often emerge from the mundane, everyday activities in life. You might suddenly feel inspired while grocery shopping or brushing your teeth. The key is to jot down your ideas immediately, even if they seem small or random, because they can transform into something significant later on.

The author relates this to his own experience as an artist. Frustrated by the limitations of working strictly in his studio, he began sketching cartoons on business cards during his downtime. This simple shift allowed him to create art anywhere, resulting in a fresh, spontaneous approach that eventually found broad appeal and success.

Examples

• MacLeod’s spontaneous cartoons on business cards became a trademark.
• Great ideas often strike in unexpected moments, like a drive or a dream.
• Many artists and creatives keep a notebook or recorder handy for fleeting ideas.

2. Starting Is the Hardest Step

The first step in any creative journey can feel immensely daunting. Diving into a project means heading into unknown territory, and this fear often leads to avoidance and procrastination. MacLeod argues that these fears are normal and shouldn’t prevent you from starting.

When faced with a blank canvas, it’s easy to get distracted by small details or rationalizations like, “I need better tools” or “I’m not ready.” But history shows that creativity doesn’t rely on expensive equipment or perfect circumstances. Hemingway wrote with a simple pen, and Van Gogh worked with a limited color palette. Your resourcefulness matters more than your resources.

Procrastination often disguises itself as productive activities—cleaning your studio, reading about techniques, or planning endlessly. While preparation has its place, overdoing it delays the actual work. By pushing past the initial discomfort and simply starting, you can let the momentum carry you forward.

Examples

• Ernest Hemingway drafted his novels with a basic fountain pen, not with fancy gadgets.
• Vincent Van Gogh used only a half-dozen colors to paint some of his most famous works.
• Many artists start with whatever materials are on hand, proving that creativity trumps equipment.

3. Friends Won’t Always Understand or Support

MacLeod cautions against relying too heavily on friends for creative validation. They may love you, but they aren’t always equipped to understand or encourage your artistic vision, especially if it’s highly original. This lack of understanding doesn’t mean your work is invalid—it could mean you’re breaking new ground.

When legendary ballerina Isadora Duncan created her revolutionary style of dance, she couldn’t look to her peers for advice because her ideas were unprecedented. Similarly, innovative projects often require creators to trust their instincts rather than external feedback, even when it’s tempting to seek approval.

Creative pursuits can also strain relationships. Friends might feel left out if your artistic ambitions pull you away from shared activities or hometown roots. While personal support is valuable, MacLeod stresses that your dedication to creativity shouldn’t hinge on others' opinions or encouragement.

Examples

• Isadora Duncan’s groundbreaking dance style couldn’t have been guided by traditional advice.
• Friends might feel neglected when your creative goals demand time or relocation.
• Truly original ideas are often misunderstood or dismissed at first.

4. Stay True to Your Vision

Your creativity is personal and should remain authentic. Compromising your vision—whether to please others or follow trends—dampens the power and meaning of what you create. MacLeod gives an example of a child in art class being urged to paint a cat black instead of their favorite color. Such pressure stifles genuine self-expression.

Artists like Jackson Pollock exemplify the importance of staying true to oneself. Pollock’s splatter techniques were unconventional, but they were deeply personal forms of expression. He didn’t set out to please anyone—his focus was purely on expressing himself. Ironically, this authenticity later brought him widespread acclaim.

To honor your own vision, experiment until your work reflects your unique emotions, beliefs, or message. Consistency and dedication to this effort can turn your passion into profound success over time.

Examples

• A child pressured to change their favorite-colored cat risks losing self-expression.
• Jackson Pollock’s defiance of artistic norms enabled groundbreaking work.
• Authentic creativity often connects more deeply than work made to fit mainstream tastes.

5. Procrastination Can Be a Creativity Killer

Letting distractions dominate your routine can stall any creative momentum. MacLeod argues that the fear of failure or doubt about your own abilities often hides behind procrastination. Recognizing this fear and confronting it is necessary to push through and create.

Procrastination can take different forms, from endless planning to overthinking about tools or even escaping into unrelated chores. Remember that your project doesn’t have to be perfect from the beginning. Art evolves during the process, so give yourself permission to start somewhere, however imperfect.

If you’re constantly cleaning your office or browsing for better equipment, ask yourself: Are you actually preparing, or are you stalling? Accept that procrastination might show up, but don’t let it prevent you from doing the work.

Examples

• "Cleaning the studio" becomes an excuse to avoid starting real projects.
• Overthinking small details (choice of color or tools) can paralyze creativity.
• Art doesn’t have to be perfect—progress matters more than perfection.

6. Artistic Freedom Doesn’t Always Pay the Bills

While the dream of making a living from art is alluring, MacLeod advises caution. Striving to turn your passion into a paycheck can compromise the purity of your work. If your financial success depends solely on art, you might feel pressure to create for sales rather than personal expression.

Having a day job can actually protect your creative output. It ensures financial stability while giving you the freedom to experiment with your art. Instead of bending to market demands, you can focus entirely on exploring your unique ideas.

Creativity as a career may also take the fun out of it. What used to be a fulfilling hobby could become a chore. Recognize this trade-off and prepare yourself for the challenges that come with monetizing passion.

Examples

• A graphic designer forced to create “marketable” art could lose their creative spark.
• Many famous artists, like T.S. Eliot, maintained day jobs to avoid financial pressure.
• Turning a hobby into work risks draining the joy it once brought.

7. Fear of Failure is Natural

MacLeod reminds creators that fear is a natural part of any artistic journey. Whether it’s fear of mediocrity, rejection, or judgment, acknowledging those feelings instead of suppressing them can help you move forward.

Examples

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Takeaways

1. Keep tools like a notebook handy to capture inspiration as it comes.
2. Set aside daily time to create, even if it's imperfect.
3. Utilize the internet to share your work and grow an audience—start a blog or post your art online.