My Favorite Books About Creativity | stedtnitz. design your life

My mentor and creativity coaching teacher, Jill Badonsky, once said that even just reading about the creative process can get those juices flowing. I agree. I love reading about creativity. Not only because it gets me inspired and puts me in a mood to create. But also because I find it fascinating. In my humble opinion, the human ability to receive inspiration and put it into being remains one of the great mysteries of the world. And any attempt at demystifying it or offering us guidance as we embark on this magical process is worth my time and attention.

I could offer you neat little summaries of each of these books. With the key points and takeaways all wrapped up and ready for you to take home. But I’m not going to do that. After all, I’m creating this blog post because my intention is to encourage you to go out and procure these little gems. Well, at least the ones that speak to you. So that you too will gain inspiration, hope and encouragement from reading them.

That said, I’m going to write just enough about these books to get you curious. The rest is up to you. Oh, and, I adore quotes. So I have included my favorite quotes from each of these reads for you to pocket and savor.

So without further ado, here are my favorites:
BIG MAGIC

by Elizabeth Gilbert

This is probably the most well-known of the books that I’m sharing today. Even though many of you may know this book, it’s simply one of the best and most beautiful ones out there. If you’re looking for a book to empower you on your creative path, then this is the one. Elizabeth Gilbert has such a nurturing yet down-to-earth way of communicating her thoughts. This is exactly the kind of voice our creativity loves and needs to hear. Also, the experience of reading this book is one of pure joy. The language is beautiful, and with each page you get more excited about your creative process. There are so many gems in this book, and I’m tempted to share them all. But I said I wouldn’t do that. So I’ll leave you with my favorite quote:

“I want to live the most vividly decorated temporary life that I can. I don’t just mean physically; I mean emotionally, spiritually, intellectually. I don’t want to be afraid of bright colors, or new sounds, or big love, or risky decisions, or strange experiences, or weird endeavors, or sudden changes, or even failure… I am going to spend as much time as I can creating delightful things out of my existence, because that’s what brings me awake and that’s what brings me alive.” – Elizabeth Gilbert (1)

ONE SMALL STEP CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE: THE KAIZEN WAY

by Robert Maurer, Ph.D.

This book was required reading for my creativity coaching training, and it completely revolutionized how I approach my creative process. I’m not just saying that because it sounds cool. While this book is not directly about creativity, like Big Magic is, the concepts discussed can easily be applied to your creative process. Kaizen is a Japanese term that is defined as: “using very small steps to improve a habit, a process, or product.” Reading this book taught me that my approach to creativity doesn’t have to be this intimidating endeavor of taking large scary leaps that make me want to crawl into a hole. But rather, that I can take a more sustainable approach that involves taking small and accessible steps.

Here’s my favorite quote:

“When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur. When you improve conditioning a little each day, eventually you have a big improvement in conditioning. Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made. Don’t look for the big, quick improvement. Seek the small improvement one day at a time. That’s the only way it happens– and when it happens it lasts.” – John Wooden, from One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer (2)

THE NINE MODERN DAY MUSES (AND A BODYGUARD)

by Jill Badonsky

This is the super hidden gem of the books that I’m sharing with you today. And it’s totally worth your time. The subtitle is: “10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Writers, Lovers and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence.” I mean, who doesn’t want to read something like that?! While the title sounds a little quirky, the nine muses (and the bodyguard) actually stand for ten different creative principles. For example, one muse/principle stands for imagination, one for practice, one for play- you get the idea. This is a book that you don’t necessarily have to read from start to finish. Instead, you can turn to whatever chapter is most relevant to your creative experience at any point in time.

Reading this book feels like giving your creativity a nice cup of tea and a cuddly blanket. And this quote embodies that sensation:

“When we begin to treat ourselves with respect, something deep inside feels respected and comes alive with our personal authenticity. This is creativity. Take care of yourself with grand gestures of festivity, and creativity will take care of you by flowing more effortlessly.” – Jill Badonsky (3)

What are your favorite books about creativity? I’m curious and always love receiving book recommendations, so let me know in the comments below!

Sending you inspiration,

Leah

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Sources

• Gilbert, Elizabeth. Big Magic. Riverhead Books, 2015, p.91

(2) Maurer, Robert. One small step can change your life: the kaizen way. Workman Publishing, 2014, p.27

(3) Badonsky, Jill Baldwin. The nine modern day muses (and a bodyguard): added sections for new applications, creative agelessness, cures for perfectionism, marketing your business with muse wisdom and yoga and creativity. Renegade Muses Publishing House, 2010, p.108