Do it for yourself

by Rob on March 13, 2010

Post image for Do it for yourself

I’ve been a fan of Hugh Macleod’s since I stumbled across him earlier this year. I read this in his book (chapter 23, page 93) today:

“Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.”

“Everybody is too busy with their own lives to give a damn about your book, painting, screenplay, etc., especially if you haven’t finished it yet. And the ones who aren’t too busy you don’t want in your life anyway.”

“Making a big deal over your creative shtick to other people is the kiss of death. That’s all I have to say on the subject”

He also said:

“The best way to get approval is not to need it”

Wise words I feel. If you’re struggling with something creative that you want to turn from an idea into a reality it’s worth checking out this book.

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Tagged as: Advice, Creativity, Determination, Entrepreneur, Ideas, Inspiration, Vocation

  • http://www.leehughes.co.uk Lee Hughes

    Am so glad you found this!!!

    This was a problem I faced with my trip. I have seen it happen as wel with other people while I wait for my leaving date.

    You decide to do something “different” and for some reason I was expecting something, I am not what but when I told everyone what I was doing I was expecting something.

    I got an “that’s cool” when do you leave, never to be mentioned again.

    So, “Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.”

    I changed my direction on the trip knowing that I would be forgotten once I leave.

    Brilliant quote! Very true!

  • Joe

    That book seems to be very interesting,I have just ordered.I think some people need sort of like a kick to realize simply things using simple words just say it straight .LIke
    They don’t give a d…… about you !!!!!! ( saying frankly it took me a little while to see that people dont care about others , you have to do it by yourself for youtself .

    Thanks guys ..

  • Rob

    Hi Joe. Thanks for the message. It’s a great book – I think you’ll enjoy it.

    The thing is – of course some people care about you and your plan / idea / business / art etc – I think the main message is: don’t do it for them… do it for yourself.

    “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”
    Bill Cosby

  • http://www.blogercise.com Blogercise

    Aye, so true. I learnt this lesson at school actually – I remember being so afraid of doing things “wrong” that I didnt want to do anything. I looked at other people working away, drawing, writing, creating and thought “how come they all know exactly what to do?”

    And then it dawned on me. They didn’t have a clue what they were doing – they just got on and did what they felt was right. And I started to do the same and started to realise that what I felt was right wasn’t actually so bad.

    So yeah, my escape from the City is based on the idea of creating websites and I apply this logic to that creation. I just get on with it and if no one seems to notice – so what?! I love doing it!

  • Rob

    Sounds like the right way to do it!

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