This book is chock full of great insights, most of which confirm things I either knew or already believed in.  What a great affirmation!  I am seeing things in a very similar way to someone as successful and creative as Hugh.

The market for something to believe in is infinite.  And I’m creating a global personal brand.

Create “Social” — here’s something I need to be more mindful of.  What I do should contain socialization.  Making connections, creating conversations, connecting dots.  How can I do that, through my blogs?

“Crofting” is an apt term for the weird mutant I’m becoming.  Music and programming are close cousins, but nobody seems to be carving a living by doing both.  My old composition professor was teaching himself Java for fun.  Many web developers are musicians.  I’m the latter, but I still think the music is the greater offering I have.  It takes longer for the seeds to bud, so I’m happy crofting, going back and forth between music, web and whatever else I can get my hands on.

The “Creative Life” Is the Only Option We’ve Got

Yep, people are going to hate me.  I better get used to it.  In fact, when they start hating, that’s when I know I’m onto something.

Evangelists.  That’s what those people are called, over in Apple?  Evangelists are the best market plan there is.  You own customers, doing the marketing for you.  What can I do, which of my ideas, will turn people into my evangelists?  It seems daunting.  I don’t even have that many fans.  (but hey, you do have fans.  People who know you adore you, Ari)

Take the Cream Off the Top, Leave the Best Behind.  Identify the best part of what you do, and cut off the rest.  Because the part you love the most, is the most valuable part.  People will pay you more for it, if you did just that.

“All control is damage control.”

Start by giving gifts.  The most valuable stuff, give away.  Selling by Giving.  Yes.  I get it.