Ignore everybody -- The idea doesn't have to be big, it just has to be yours -- Put the hours in -- Good ideas have lonely childhoods -- If your business plan depends on you suddenly being "discovered" by some big shot, your plan will probably fail -- You are responsible for your own experience -- Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten -- Keep your day job -- Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity -- Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb -- The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props -- Don't try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether -- If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you -- Never compare your inside with somebody else's outside -- Dying young is overrated -- The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not -- The world is changing -- Merit can be bought, passion can't -- Avoid the watercooler gang -- Sing in your own voice -- The choice of media is irrelevant -- Selling out is harder than it looks -- Nobody cares; do it for yourself -- Worrying about "commercial vs. artistic" is a complete waste of time -- Don't worry about finding inspiration; it comes eventually -- You have to find your own schtick -- Write from the heart -- The best way to get approval is not to need it -- Power is never given, power is taken -- Whatever choice you make, the devil gets his due eventually -- The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it -- Remain frugal -- Allow your work to age with you -- Being poor sucks -- Beware of turning hobbies into jobs -- Savor obscurity while it lasts -- Start blogging -- Meaning scales, people don't -- When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams -- None of this is rocket science.