{"id":2756,"date":"2018-02-09T16:04:56","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T15:04:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stedtnitz.ch\/?p=2756"},"modified":"2020-06-29T08:59:19","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T06:59:19","slug":"my-favorite-books-about-creativity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stedtnitz.ch\/en\/my-favorite-books-about-creativity\/","title":{"rendered":"My Favorite Books About Creativity | stedtnitz. design your life"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019m not going to do that. After all, I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n

That said, I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n

So without further ado, here are my favorites:
\nBIG MAGIC <\/strong><\/p>\n

by Elizabeth Gilbert <\/strong><\/p>\n

This is probably the most well-known of the books that I\u2019m sharing today. Even though many of you may know this book, it\u2019s simply one of the best and most beautiful ones out there. If you\u2019re 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\u2019m tempted to share them all. But I said I wouldn\u2019t do that. So I\u2019ll leave you with my favorite quote:<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to live the most vividly decorated temporary life that I can. I don\u2019t just mean physically; I mean emotionally, spiritually, intellectually. I don\u2019t 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\u2026 I am going to spend as much time as I can creating delightful things out of my existence, because that\u2019s what brings me awake and that\u2019s what brings me alive.\u201d <\/em>– Elizabeth Gilbert (1)<\/p>\n

ONE SMALL STEP CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE: THE KAIZEN WAY <\/strong><\/p>\n

by Robert Maurer, Ph.D. <\/strong><\/p>\n

This book was required reading for my creativity coaching training, and it completely revolutionized how I approach my creative process. I\u2019m 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: \u201cusing very small steps to improve a habit, a process, or product.\u201d Reading this book taught me that my approach to creativity doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s my favorite quote:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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\u2019t look for the big, quick improvement. Seek the small improvement one day at a time. That\u2019s the only way it happens– and when it happens it lasts.\u201d<\/em> – John Wooden, from One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer (2)<\/p>\n

THE NINE MODERN DAY MUSES (AND A BODYGUARD) <\/strong><\/p>\n

by Jill Badonsky <\/strong><\/p>\n

This is the super hidden gem of the books that I\u2019m sharing with you today. And it\u2019s totally worth your time. The subtitle is: \u201c10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Writers, Lovers and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence.\u201d I mean, who doesn\u2019t 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Reading this book feels like giving your creativity a nice cup of tea and a cuddly blanket. And this quote embodies that sensation:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen 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.\u201d<\/em> – Jill Badonsky (3)<\/p>\n

What are your favorite books about creativity? I\u2019m curious and always love receiving book recommendations, so let me know in the comments below!<\/p>\n

Sending you inspiration,<\/p>\n

Leah<\/p>\n

\u2014<\/p>\n

Sources<\/p>\n