3 Books to Hyperdrive your Creativity
Whatever you want to make.
Whatever your passion is.
Whatever your craft.
Sometimes you need a little push to get that quantum machine in your head moving a little. We need some momentum.
Being creative on purpose is a pretty dubious endeavor for anyone. It’s almost an oxymoron. The more you try to do it, the farther away it seems.
As we’re all aware, reading is the other half of writing. So when you feel down on yourself or unmotivated to create, THESE books can potentially provide that gateway, that portal OUT!
1) The Creative Act-Rick Rubin
Anyone that’s listened to Rick speak before will surely notice what an amazing gift he has. Rick has such a great perspective on creating and his advice is unmatched in practicality. If you’re unaware of his vast body of work in music production, you’re missing out. This vast experience is what allows him to create the goldmine of insights included in the book.
Before constructing ‘The Creative Act’, Rick’s goal was to make something truly timeless. He mentions the great philosophers as Plato, Homer, and Marcus Aurelius as inspirations in making ‘The Creative Act’.
By this, his goal was to make something universal in character. He achieves this feat without mentioning any specific acts that he’s worked with like Nirvana, LL Kool J, or anything like that. (His musical range is actually incredible, in terms of production of several different genres.)
This book is something entirely unique. It applies to anyone trying to make something, whether it’s music, movies, writing, whatever.
Here’s some of my favorite quotes:
“Turning something from an idea into a reality can make it seem smaller. It changes from unearthly to earthly.
The imagination has no limits. The physical world does. The work exists in both.”
“Living life as an artist is a practice. You are either engaging in the practice or you’re not.
We tend to think of the artist’s work as the output.
The real work of the artist is a way of being in the world.”
If you have ANY interest at all in creating, I’d highly recommend this book every time. Probably the most practical advice I’ve ever heard for the act of making. Even if you don’t connect with everything in here, you’ll surely find plenty of cool quotes.
2) The War of Art -Steven Pressfield
If you’ve ever struggled to get your writing off the ground, well, you’re not alone.
Enter “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield, the field manual for anyone locked in a battle with their own creative inertia.
“RESIST the RESISTANCE”
Pressfield does a phenomenal job of describing the idea of Resistance as the force that stands between individuals and their creative aspirations. He defines Resistance as:
The self-sabotaging tendencies, procrastination, self-doubt, and fear that prevent us from doing the work that truly matters to us.
It’s that lazy ball of suckiness that sits inside us, unwilling to try right-this-second. It’s a trap which can easily be fallen into again and again.
Pressfield describes this same feeling that he has on a regular basis. But he has tried and true methods to get the ball rolling.
Steve doesn’t just write; he launches an all-out ASSAULT on the insidious force he aptly dubs “Resistance”.
Steve doesn’t mess around baby.
He shows up every time, no excuses.
Steve is that guy. If only I could be more like Steve.
Listen to this: “You think Resistance isn’t real? Resistance will bury you.” “You know Hitler wanted to be an artist. At eighteen he took his inheritance, seven hundred kronen, and moved to Vienna to live and study. He applied to the Academy of Fine Arts and later to the School of Architecture. Ever see one of his paintings? Neither have I. Resistance beat him. Call it overstatement but I’ll say it anyway: it was easier for Hitler to start World War II than it was for him to face a blank square of canvas.”
Probably not the intensity that everyone is looking for but it really nails down the idea that you need to SHOW UP and DO THE WORK.
“Remember our rule of thumb: The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.”
This book dishes out advice left-right-and-center.
3) 7 Spiritual Laws of Success -Deepak Chopra
Picture success not just as a bulging bank account or a fancy title, but as a state of harmonious existence.
That’s the premise of “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” by the always insightful Deepak Chopra. It’s like having a spiritual Sherpa guide you through the mountains of achievement. He has all the answers.
These laws aren’t your typical hard-and-fast rules. They’re more like principles that dance with the universe’s rhythm.
Law number one? The Law of Pure Potentiality. It’s about tapping into your inner genius and finding the boundless creativity that resides within.
This concept alone can completely flip your world view on its head. By truly believing that anything is possible, and that those possibilities live within you at all times during the day. You can focus on living life and noticing things that inspire you.
Then there’s the Law of Detachment, which is super important for new creators. It’s about letting go and jumping in headfirst.
We shouldn’t have to force anything.
By just letting everything play out as it does, AND working hard for the sake of doing a good job, life will reward you amply over time.
Then there’s the Law of Giving, which throws the spotlight on the power of generosity. It’s not just about doling out cash; it’s about offering your energy, time, and love without expecting anything in return. And as karma would have it, this generosity comes back around in the most delightful ways.
These laws aren’t about chasing success like a racecar around a track. Nope, it’s about flowing with the current of the cosmos. Detachment, intention, and purpose all come into play.
These books ALL have a little something different to offer. But they will ALL help you in some small or potentially BIG ways. Who knows?
I hope you enjoyed!
-Rhett
If you want to support my efforts here, buy me a coffee, I don’t actually drink coffee though!
