Ignore Them.

That's Hugh McLeod's advice, anyway.

These days, most everyone agrees that Hugh's idea of creating cartoons on the backs of business cards was a spark of sheer genius. But, Hugh says:

Always remember that, as the artist, you're the creative one. Your the visionary. Your the one who must learn to "trust your gut."  Most other people can't possibly "get" your creative ideas before you've proven them to work. As Hugh says, "The more original your idea is, the less good advice other people will be able to give you."

All this sage wisdom from Hugh is being compiled for his upcoming book that will be based upon his popular manifesto, How to be Creative.

If you're feeling discouraged about your art career, a particular new work, or any creative endeavor, think about what Hugh writes in the notes for his first chapter:

"It's more like, the better the idea, the more "out there" it initially will seem to other people, even people you like and respect. So there'll be a time in the beginning when you have to press on, alone, without one tenth the support you probably need. . .GOOD IDEAS ALTER THE POWER BALANCE IN RELATIONSHIPS, THAT IS WHY GOOD IDEAS ARE ALWAYS INITIALLY RESISTED."

You can read more from Hugh regarding creativity and resistance from others in his blog post, Good Ideas Have Lonely Childhoods.


Sincerely,
Clint Watson
Software Craftsman and Art Fanatic


PS: "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Arthur Schopenhauer