Highest book recommendation: Ignore Everybody
2009-09-30
It's been years since I've recommended a book to everyone I know, but this book is so perfect for those balancing creativity and business, which is almost everyone I know. Including you.
It's called Ignore Everybody by Hugh MacLeod. You can read my notes at http://sivers.org/book/IgnoreEverybody
He's a successful cartoonist who worked for 10 years as an advertising copywriter. Read his story at http://gapingvoid.com/about/ (Warning: he swears.)
He really gets and speaks to that dark struggle that artists go through: wanting to quit your day job, selling out to get successful and having it fail, or having it succeed, or not-selling-out and having it fail, or having it succeed.
But this is not a self-help book! He's slightly cranky, very realistic, and can describe your situation exactly since he's been there himself, then say, “But here's what I've noticed...” - and give you an insight you'll find useful for your own career or art.
It's a short lean book. Perfect for those who rarely find the time to read a whole book.
See my notes at http://sivers.org/book/IgnoreEverybody and borrow it from your local library, buy it from your local store, or click the Amazon link on that page.
(I read it as an entrepreneur and former professional musician, but I'd love to hear your unique opinion on it, so after you've read it, please post a comment at http://sivers.org/ie when you have a minute.)
I bought it on your recommendation, and wasn't as wowed by it as I thought I'd be. He's of the opinion that you're often best not quitting your day job, which gave me heart... but check out the book "The War of Art" for a similarly inspiring, but somewhat polar opposite view, of what it means to be a "professional" musician or whatever you are striving to be.
I have to say that I love cartoons, but while I liked his art, I found most of MacLeod's cartoons to be not funny at all...
It's one of the best books ...ever. One that you can re-read many times and it will "unlock" new levels of intelligence for you.
I shortly reviewed it a couple of months ago, here http://snowcrashing.com/2009/06/18/book-ignore-everybody/.
Always nice to read your book recommendations!
i ignored that asshole & his book, i don't need another book to read.
i have 2 people that i must piss on now.
feel it and then deal with it.
just reading some of the notes split my mind & heart, a writing ax murderer that asshole maximus he be.
bright musical ways
ian the being being ian
I loved Ignore Everybody too.
A simple, powerful book full of stuff that you kinda knew already but told in a completely compelling way. I blogged about one of the stand out points from the book here;
http://scrambledup.blogspot.com/2009/08/introducing-sex-cash-theory.html
I loved "Power is never given. Power is taken." Another blog post I read said it this way, and I paraphrase, "No one comes along and makes you the expert on your field, it's just something you do." Thanks for the great link, I will definitely check out this book!
It's pretty good. I read it about a year ago when he still had it as a bunch of blog posts. When you marry your mistress she is no longer your mistress was the thing that stuck out to me the most! When your hobby becomes your job it isn't so hot anymore...well maybe.
Great book. And you should package your notes to this one and all your other reviews into an ebook.
Thanks Derek
The part I pondered was the talk on going commercial. We have just had a consultant become involved with us. She'd like to move our infleunce larger. I have been thinking about this. I don't get what is wrong with creating more...always being indie of course....Just thinking.........
Rachel
Hi Derek,
Not sure how much help this book is. Since I know you and Hugh on the internet, I am always suspicious when two people that do gigs together start pushing each others products.
I know your information is valid and useful if implemented.
Hugh is an extraordinary cartoonist, but, I am not sure his suggestions fit that well with the live music market?
We all know the one key to music success is to build a fan base of at least 10K plus loyal fans. At KleerStreem Entertainment, we have coined them: TBF or True Blue Fans.
The other keys are forming a 'tight' band; finding/writing great songs; developing a kick butt stage act; great marketing; and great PR both through the public channels and through the internet social media. I have found the main disconnect with musicians is they are not aware of how much time and work it takes to make it as an indie.
One lady that has made it on her own is Candy Coburn. It's taken her years but, today she seldom has to play in a bar; she gained a great sponsor in Anheuser-Busch ; just got her a new bus; teamed up with Susan G. Komen Foundation; and has put together a team around her that keeps her performing 150+ events each year. And she, to date, has no label backing her. She is the most entertaining female in country music....when she's on stage she connects and creates moments for her fans and audiences. http://www.candycoburn.com/
Summary: I think Hugh's book may be more in touch with the market he works in and has been successful. Not sure how great it is for an Indie Music Artist??
Maybe you can't tell from my succinct notes, but I think most everything in his book really does apply to any creative musician, artist, writer, etc. You'll see. Give it a try. I'll buy it back from you if you hate it. -- Derek
I will check it out!
Derek,
As usual you have found something that hits the nail on the head! It's easy put blame on others and not take a good hard look at yourself and hiding from yourself and sometimes self pity! It resounded with many things that I have recently been dealing with in putting my new band together and just plunging in head first!
Thanks for you you do!
Mark
Thanks for the reminder...I had copied the blog several years ago and forgotten that I had it...I really like the content because it is written like a real person talking to you one-on-one from life experience instead of someone either preaching to you or trying to "sell you their ideas as product". Invaluable. I especially liked the section describing the old model of business as "teamwork"...which has unfortunately eliminated anyone thinking outside the box from their organization...if you conform to what the "model" is...then nothing can change in growth...only become obsolete.
Thanks again for the reminder.
35. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.
I really like this point. My hobby is personal development, in which I want to write books, create seminars, and bring a lot of value to people.
I'm currently in dental school, which I'm very passionate about, and excited about the career.
However, if I had to put them in a box - Dentistry-job - PersonalDevelopment-hobby.
Whatever box, I'm excited for both!
Wow. From reading Dereks notes I have to say that an awful lot of what Hugh says sounds kind of familiar. I need to put more time in "climbing my Everest". I have been convinced that I am lacking there as well as a lot of places. There are many changes for me to make.
But I wonder how apropriate this is for your average "Struggling Musician/Artist"? I can almost hear someone saying, "How can not worrying about quitting my day job help me quit my day job?" How many artists love their art enough that just producing it excellently is enough in itself? If I were to become enamoured with another soul to the point that I had to express it in art form in a significant way, would I be tempted to think, "Hey, as long as I am writing creatively, maybe with a few slight modifications I can sell it and make a buck or two as well".
Absolutely nothing wrong with making a buck in entertainment. I make a little myself, on a regular basis. It seemed like Hugh might be talking about something else.
Is there anything that means too much to us to make it into a "Golden Goose"? What if someone you loved found out that you got payed for every nice thing you did for them? Does money always have to figure in somewhere?
My job was my hobby and I enjoyed it. The hobby part of the job was the creative parts where I convinced management to embrace an idea and let me start the implementation. I could live on special projects. The mundane day to day reminded me of my college job at the heat treat plant ... just doing boring mind destroying redundant piece work.
Great thoughts ... I may quote your comments in my next employment cover letter and/or interview.
This is my reason for starting a company:
"Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb. You may never reach the summit; for that you will be forgiven. But if you don’t make at least one serious attempt to get above the snow line, years later you will find yourself lying on your deathbed, and all you will feel is emptiness."
I'm very grateful I've had the opportunity to start climbing - I'll try to help others climbing the same mountain while I'm on my way to the top...
I ordered this book on Amazon yesterday because of you! I can't wait to receive it.
Also, I'm a third-semester Berklee student, and you gave a helluva speech at convocation last year. Very inspiring.
The definition of a successful author is someone who has published more than one book. This is because if the publisher doesn't make a little money with the first book, there probably won't be a second. But if there are a series of books, and they keep making a little money, that person is a successful author.
Interestingly, one publishing organization has polled the "successful authors" and found that the great majority (not just slightly more than half but like in the 80% range)of them still work day jobs. They write because they enjoy the process, as well as the perks.
Maybe this quest for doing nothing but music may be shortsighted (and maybe a little selfish). Those who are able to do this seem to me to pay an extremely high price in various ways.
Derek,another great post. your notes, made me want to read the whole book, wish i could have a copy, looked for it in stores and on the street to no avail.
oh, i must add to 19 above,i visited gapingvoid.com saw some crazy drawings/paintings telling gospel truth about life in a funny weird ways. keep them coming D.
I enjoy keeping up with Derek's ideas and those of the others on this site, thanks to all of you.
When I think of the author's approach in the book we're discussing, I feel like we are all in need of a huge paradigm shift... I say, forget about dealing with our out-dated system/model of economics. Trying to work in it, or around it is all part of a prison that keeps us stuck.
Undoubtedly, we have to think in new ways to evolve as humans and artists. But there are some revolutionary ideas out there that encourage us, and map out a true way "out of the box" that has been called "commerce".
Some of the best ideas I've come across are those of Mary Croft, and I find them so apt and applicable to my use of "commerce" around my musical life. She's written a book which is available free-of-charge on the Net.
I believe her writings advise us all how to move forward with our art, music and life and out of the "serpent-eating-it's-own-tail" game of commerce. Check out her blog first, as she has evolved somewhat since her much-read online book...
www.spiritualeconomicsnow.net
(her book is also available on her blog site)
I'd love to hear any of your thoughts about her ideas, here on Derek's blog
thanks everyone,
keep having fun!
Caelen
Derek, I've read your notes on this book before, and that's all I felt I needed. It helped me adjust my attitude when I was getting sick of promotion, and frustrated with little results.
With so many books to potentially read, it's a great service you do, posting your notes. Thanks again.
For some other books, my notes capture the gist of the book. For this one, though, they really don't. I highly recommend reading the book itself. It's a quick read but his stories are so worth it. My notes were only tiny self-reminders of the stories. -- Derek
just requested it from my library. i look forward to reading it. thanks for the suggestion!!!
I made a mistake...Please read if you use an Amazon Kindle and like Derek’s book suggestions.
My guess is that most of Derek’s tribe would like to make sure that Derek gets a referral credit when someone purchases a book he suggests.
I just made a mistake when I purchased “Ignore Everybody” by Hugh Macleod because I used my Kindle wirelessly with out clicking on the Amazon referral link on Derek’ blog.
I did a little research and in the future I will follow the three 3 steps below when using my Kindle to by a book suggested by Derek.
1.Click on Amazon link on Derek’s blog next to book that is suggested.
2.Once at Amazon Click on underlined book title above book cover image. ( this takes you to the kindle store)
3.Click on the “Buy now with one click” link
My guess is that Derek is not to concerned with referral fee’s and such. He has never asked me to buy anything but there is no point in having Amazon make more money then needed in my opinion.
Amazon hasn't taken the time to encourage or teach me something new lately : )
Does anybody know if there is simpler way to give referral credit when using a Kindle with out having to hop on to a computer?
Thanks!
Thanks Micah. I really appreciate it. But for the record I really truly sincerely don't care one bit if I get affiliate credit for this. I included my tag in the link, because “why not?”, but really don't care. Though thanks for your effort! -- Derek
There is so much in that book that is good clear headed thinking. The idea of managing money and creativity as to separate fonts is a way to minimize a great deal of pain and maximize the great parts of life.
The ideas on creativity are just plain cherry. Divorcing ones self from the overhang of the opinions of others is truly freeing. The crushing roar of the great conception has its own path and must be followed faithfully giving nothing to whims of popular fancy.
Great book.
Hey Derek,
I just got your email. Looks and sounds like a good read. Never too old to learn! We do learn a lot from others when we actually listen As for believing in ones self, that can only be effective when one has a healthy self concept to draw from. To be continued. A quote from a song that came to me when I was 23 years young and about to leave South Carolina and come to Minnesota." To find yourself is a beautiful thing,but it takes some time to do, Then loves Maquerade can no longer hide, all the feelings that it tries to disguise, You gotta let time, make you wise." 1974 called "Let Time Make You wise
Derek ... "Ignore Everybody" is a beauty. This is so real. Love it love it love it.
Everyone is so tired of the "you can make it, too" "self help" books and conferences ( @ $ XXX per entry); this approach to creativity is unique and powerful and true.
Had you not said what you said about it I wouldn't have noticed it.
Thank you.
Sam McNally.
I agree. I read this book a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved it.
By the way, I read Stephen King's On Writing right before Ignore Everybody, and I immediately put them both on my creativity top shelf. On Writing is geared more for writers of course, but most of it applies to anyone in the business of creating.
I had it off the book list a few weeks ago and thought it brilliant, especially that he says to politely say we have the power, not that we would like it. The whole book is from a really positive, healthy perspective and fun. Thanks!
Quick notes to Derek Sivers: 1/10/09 by manjia
1. you name was so hard to remember to me, every time I want to write to you, I have to check where is your name, I mean the correct spelling? sometimes I wrote down on a paper, then I couldn’t find it again when I really need it. I know you are the person founded CD baby. Can I just call you “D.S. baby” , so you know it is manjia write to you. I think I tried hard to remember some VIP details, but my mind just so ignore to many things in common senses…it’s my first point to the book you recommended.
2. re your note no. 8. – I coun’t keep my day job, even if I wanted to keep it for my often worring, but God just take it away. Then I find I keep doing the things I enjoy most. I just thought yesterday before received your this email:
there are two kind of life strategies: one is the “want”, one is “don’t want but have to do , to towards “the want”.
I often heard the words to me ‘you are lucky’ from some successful people. but I didn’t have lots of money, I didn’t get recogornized by major numbers of people.
What I choose is the “want” – under this category, then the next one is the ‘need’ - what I need to live the life I want – under the ‘need’ there are too options : money and time, I choose ‘time’ – under the ‘time’ is ‘creative’ and “conventional”, I choose ‘creative” – under the ‘creative’ is the results of saving big money, then the money going back to the need…then you got your life style in just some pennies and dollars..
I always think I am such kind of person like Oprah, J. Rowling, or any one for whom people just want to throw the money on them. But can you imagine it, if you had such kind of mind, when you walking at street, what you see, what you feel. It’s very lighten. You don’t feel you work hard most time, for you love it. Sometimes, i want to stop myself, but i can’t, I enjoy my ‘working’ that’s what I ‘want”… when you read this paragraph, you would think this person was ‘mad’… do you think I would ignore your thoughts about me or not?
3. re your note no 10. – no matter whatever you achieved in your life time, you still feel the emptiness by the later years.. but whatever you have done or “not doing” follows you all the time to your next life journey…
Dear D.S., I like ‘debate’. Once I got couples different points of view, the mind game is over. I enjoy it. And thank very much for great D.S. baby.
I've read it and thought it was a good one, especially for people in a "creative" field, like artists and musicians. I fell differently about the "sex and money" philosophy, but feel it's a good topic of discussion.
No offense, but just not my cup of tea.
Right on!
Thanks Derek, I really appreciated your notes, their content sits well with me. I have been inspired to read the book.
Also very glad you mentioned it is good for those whose relationship with fat books is not so great...
Derek, I want to read the book, but in the interim your notes are FANTASTIC! Thank you as always!
BTW, thanks for the note about your notes, too! Will beg borrow or ... get that book!
Yeah, Reading the overview it seems an interesting and inspiring read. 'would get a copy...Thanks
He's 'right' ... wont buy the book but no reflection on its worth .... it's what I'm doing anyway.
Loved the cartoon ..."waiting tables is my day job - my real love is ...."
....and thanks for the nourishment
I enjoyed your otes on this book and passed the link on.
Music IS my day job AND my hobby - it can be done - tho its true I do divide work music and play music.
One book I found really useful is Copywriting by Mark Shaw http://www.amazon.com/Copywriting-Successful-Writing-Advertising-Marketing/dp/1856695689
Very practical and changed the way I think about writing about my stuff.
The only thing about these books of wisdom is DOING something about what you read.
Coz if you don't, then Charlie Chan's collected aphorisms are just as useful...
http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chans-Wisdom-Howard-Berlin/dp/1592241700/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254395721&sr=1-13
my fave - "Fool in a hurry drinks tea with fork"
Everybody has a dream.
Everybody has a fantasy.
Everybody has a place they’d rather be.
Everybody has a wish.
Everybody has a day they’d rather see…
Just like me.
Don’t ignore “Everybody”.
That’s the tile of my first album!
The totality of restraint vs the totality of desire. Convince the world you have real talent and you're a success.
From your notes on the book:
Point 20:
"The really good artists...turn their strengths into weaknesses."
That's a very radical idea that I certainly wouldn't have thought of. ;-)
Many thanks, Derek, for these submissions. Great way to start my business day, and keep aligned. Look forward to meeting you soon. Martin
Thank you for the notes on Ignore Everybody. I wonder if something has been textually left out of point Numbers 36, 37 and 38--especially 38. Or maybe I just don't understand them, but I WANT to.
Your notes are fabulous. I don't feel a NEED to read a book after you have given me your notes on it.
Dear Derek,
thanks for your advice. I am looking forward to buy this book on Amazon and read it!
I love this kind of books, in the last two years I have read many of them.
Here are my best recent reads:
"the momentum effect" - a very rational analysis of how to build up a successful business
"blue ocean strategy" - like the precedent one, but from a slightly different point of view
"Made to stick" - great to learn how to deliver your messages to the people
"The Non-Designer's Design Book" - excellent for people naturally untalented for graphics and design (like me)
I wish you a wonderful day,
Gabriele
If we really ignore everybody, we wouldn't respond to your blog. If nobody cared, you wouldn't try to give good advice. So while the title is amusing and the premise is thought provoking, we actually should not IGNORE EVERYBODY and SOME PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO CARE... Nice post.
The title makes more sense in context of reading the book. -- Derek
@ 9. Hey Lee, Derek sent out his newsletter re. my book BEFORE I blogged about him, before I had even heard of him.
Somebody on Twitter alerted me that a guy named @sivers had mentioned my book on his newsletter (which I don't subscribe to), so I went to check his Twitter page out, saw his Tweet at the top of his page re his blog post on that CD promo, thought it was interesting, and blogged it.
I really didn't give it too much thought at the time.
If you would prefer instead to think that we had formed some sort of secret, mutual-back-scratching cabal, well, that is your right.
Rock on
Oops! Mea Culpa: Forgot to say... Thanks, Derek, for such a kind review. Now that i know who you are, I'm glad that I do!
Pleasantly surprised to see that Mr. MacLeod himself has visited this page above me. Was stopping in to say that I bought the B&N e-book yestereday on Derek's recommendation and definitely recommend this book to anyone who's day job *appears* to be the opposite of their passion. You may find it's not necessarily opposite, but an eco-system of sorts that allows you to live as you choose. As HM puts it in the read...Sex & Cash Theory...where's your red-line? (Guess you'll have to read it now won't you?)
Thanks Derek,
Per your recommendation, I ordered from Amazon, it came today, and by Monday, you can be sure I'll even be ignoring you!
Bought the book, read it and loved it. I've already passed it along to friends.
Interesting to contrast McLeod's "Don't quit your day job" ideas with those you mentioned about Richard Branson always backing himself into a corner to force himself to get results.
What if it is all moot. What if we get what we need like it or not. If success means money to you, you missed the point anyway. Need is an illusion. Power is an illusion. I pay attention to what seems to be obvious, and that is all that has ever worked. Have you ever tried to justify an intuitive thought? All I gotta do is pay attention, and do what is obvious. Sometimes I get to learn the why's and wherefores in retrospect, and sometimes never. I'm not opposed to mixing art with business, I'm just not sure why. Seems like the nature of the music business these days breeds more entertainers and salesmen than artist. If you create soley to sell, what are you? Bob Dylan freely admits his music is through him and not of him. I new a man who refused to sign his artwork even though colectors offered him big money to do so. He sold his stuff unsigned. Through him, not of him. Anything really good we do will be through us, and not of us. Be humble and pay attention. Sounds easy heh?
wouldn`t it be cool if these comments displayed the most recent at the top, that way Id be more inclined to write something useful - where it may even be noticed...
instead I`ll just focus on what`s not working.
It's been on my short list of books to buy ever since I read the blog series that launched it. I got a chance to preview it at Borders over the weekend. It was hard to put it down except the premium they wanted for the book at retail price. He paints reality as it should be seen for artists who want to make a living at their art.
Derek,
I've been getting your emails and reading your blog for a while now and I would just like to say thank you! You have a lot of good things to say and great recommendations.
I loved this book! Honest living is not easy, but you do always know where you stand with yourself. That makes being an artist easier.
I listened to it twice. I would enjoy shooting the shit with him at the bar, but I pity him for his conclusion that you need a day job selling something you don't give a shit about. He has not met enough people who get paid to do what they love.
How do you ignore everybody when everyone ignores you?
I've been ignoring everybody for years.
The main focus of most self-proclaimed "musicians" seems to be making a living at the business of music.
This is drastically different than making a Musical Life.
Trying to make a living via the business of music is, quite obviously to me, precisely what it means to "sell out".
As Karl Paulnack recently stated, "You’re not here to become an entertainer, and you don’t have to sell yourself. The truth is you don’t have anything to sell; being a musician isn’t about dispensing a product..."
I highly recommend Audience Inclusion.
Mr. Paulnack also said... "The most important concert of my entire life took place in a nursing home in Fargo, ND..."
Best of Now, always,
Greg and Alice the Canine Messiah
rings true enough ... two adages I created for myself that always seem to help to push things forward;
1) never seek praise
&
2) screw balance ... it's all compromise
I found this MOST interesting...and waaaay to close to home.
Putting the work in....it isn't done...and it is bottom line what actually has to happen....people wait in soup lines, but until some guy comes in and makes the damn soup...their isn't anybody eating.
KEEP YOUR DAY JOB!!!
Dude...I want to say I wished I had seen this type of ideology 20 years ago, but the reality is I would have ignored it. I am at a point in my life where the realization of having kept a day job would have provided safety, security and the ability to pursue my ideas and thoughts with even greater vigor.
The caveat on hobbies becoming jobs is also very real and close to home. The passion is what drives most of our hobbies, they are a sanctuary and garden for cultivating spontaneous and random happiness. Turning it into your means of making a living is like tilling salt into the garden...the plants might survive, but the work and strain keeping them alive makes you give up gardening.
This seems to be a load of psychobabble horseshit.
Sorry, dudes.
Make your art and suffer for it.
Nobody owes you anything.
PASSION is what you need.
Damn the torpedoes!
Full speed ahead!!!
This is a great book. Rather than comment on the title, spend the few bucks and the couple of hours it takes to read it - it will open your mind!
I love the title. For me this applies to most of the important thing in life.
thanks for posting this - it inspired me to write a blog about keeping the day job... accepting the duality... thank you for always bringing my soul to a peaceful place.
Gems, the lot of them. I think I'll buy this book (in a week when I have the money). Anybody could do what I do if they cared as much as I do so they'd work as hard as I do. What makes me different isn't the talent - it's the working, which comes of the caring.
Sounds like a really great read over coffee on a cold winter's day! Just ordered it, and thank you for your notes Derek. I believe folks can also get the book on Disc if they would like to listen to it instead of reading it, great for those afternoon traffic jams
Wow thanks for the recommendation! I've only read one good (non-fiction) book my entire life and that is "The Art Of Deception".
Hope you like it
Huge gratitude.
One question: What did you mean by "Meaning scales?" at the end of your notes on Ignore Everybody?