Creative thinkers

The incredible struggle of Paulo Coelho is an extraordinary example of sheer determination.        
As a teenager he passionately wanted to become a writer, but his parents considered this madness.  they wanted him to become a lawyer, a secure, respectable profession. To "save" him from his writing ambitions, his parents had him committed to a mental institution three times. He was subjected to electric shock treatment. He refused to compromise. He instinctively knew he was meant to be a writer, and he went on to become an author with a unique vision. His book The Alchemist was translated into eighty languages, sold sixty-five million copies world wide and provided Coelho with unequivocal. lasting financial security.

Creative thinkers appreciate that to compromise and take the sensible and safe route would be a disaster. When Todd McFarlane worked as an illustrator for Marvel Comics, executives told him to tone down his work because it was too gruesome for Marvel readership. McFarlane quit. He gave up the security of a steady career and started his own company. His hugely successful ventures span publishing, toy production and a film and animation studio. As an artist in business, McFarlane has remained true to his artistic vision no matter what the business cost.

We all come under pressure from our employers, family or friends to compromise, but to make something unique, to do something extraordinary, often requires that you refuse to compromise your ideals. You have no responsibility to live up to your own expectations.

"Your time is limited; so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others opinion drown out your own inner voice." - Steve Jobs