It is rare that I do book reviews on FoG. It is even more rare that I do them before finishing a book. But here goes.
I am about a third of the way into Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity by Hugh MacLeod. It's supposed to be a book about being creative. But it is much more then that. If you read it through the eyes of an entrepreneur that wants to change the world it is brilliant. Or in the spirit of the book, totally f-ing amazing. Not the tactics of making your venture successful, but the strategy of making your life successful. Here are some gems from the first 11 pages:
"GOOD IDEAS ALTER THE POWER BALANCE IN RELATIONSHIPS. THAT IS WHY GOOD IDEAS ARE ALWAYS INITIALLY RESISTED."
"Your
idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to be yours alone. The more
the idea is your alone the more freedom you have to do something
amazing."
"Doing anything worthwhile takes forever. Ninety
percent of what separates successful people and failed people is time,
effort and stamina."
"If somebody in your industry is more
successful then you, it's probably because he works harder at it then
you do. Sure, maybe he's more inherently talented, more adept at
networking, but I don't consider that an excuse. Over time that
advantage counts for less and less. Which is why the world is full of
highly talented network-savvy, failed mediocrities."
"Being
good at anything is like figure skating - the definition of being good
at it is being able to make it look easy. But it never is easy.
Ever. That's what stupidly wrong people conveniently forget.""
Hugh's writing is based on his own experience as a creative type. Back in 1997 he started doodling on the back of business cards. Seems like kinda a stupid idea. But it was his idea. And he worked it. Made it work.
Buy the book, borrow the book. Do whatever you can to read the book. Lacking your ability to do that go read the blog post on which the book is based.
Best way to sum up the book is the way Hugh did. "Work hard. Keep at it. Live simply and quietly. Remain humble. Stay positive. Create your own luck. Be nice. Be polite."
Rock on.
Over the weekend I finished reading The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. I purchased the book last year and let it sit until the heart of the football season. After you read it you will never watch a football game in the same way again.
The book is two intertwined stories.
First Lewis analyzes the evolution of football strategy over the past 30 or so years. The rise of the West Coast offense, the appearance of a new breed of defensive player such as Lawrence Taylor, and the resulting need for quarterback blind side protection. This ultimately led to other changes in strategy with the end result being the left tackle spot becoming highly valued with those playing the position generally being the second highest paid person on the field (behind the QBs they are protecting).
Second Lewis adds a layer of color tale of Michael Oher. Oher is a homeless Memphis ghetto kid taken in by
a rich white family with ties to Ole Miss and a Christian high school. At 6'6" and 350 pounds Oher develops into an top ranked left tackle prodigy
with every major college coach in the country recruiting him. Oher ends up at Ole Miss, under NCAA investigation, but with a bright future ahead of him in the league. This personal story brings fresh insight into how hard it is for an inner city kid to break away from his past as well as creates great interest for one to follow Oher's career.
The Blind Side is a fascinating book that is a must read for any football fan.
I have been reviewing "Citizens Marketers" the new book by Ben and Jackie over at Church of the Customer.
It is hard to fathom someone five years ago making a post on the Internet for a bunch of unkown and non book industry people to review a draft of a book.
Jackie only asked for two things. Honest feedback and not to distribute the contents of the book. I can tell you they are getting great feedback.
They are also responding to it like you would expect. With a healthy respect for those that are representing the viewpoint of their potential customers.
I can also tell you that based on what I have seen so far, the final product is going to be an interesting read.
We live in great times.
4
