Unlocking Your Creative Potential: 7 Inspiring Books for Struggling Artists"
As artists, it’s common to experience creative blocks and moments of self-doubt. Whether you’re a painter, writer, musician, or any other type of creative, there are times when you might feel like you’ve hit a wall and can’t seem to find any inspiration. If you’re currently in this position, one way to reignite your creative spark is to turn to books. Reading books can expose you to new ideas, perspectives, and techniques that can help you break through your creative block and find new inspiration for your art. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best books for artists who are looking for inspiration, and how they can help you tap into your creativity and unleash your full artistic potential.
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X: https://amzn.to/40FTyAu
12 Rules for Life: https://amzn.to/3AK94B7
Man's Search for Meaning: https://amzn.to/3N9z7ZA
Stolen Focus: https://amzn.to/3n5GaYL
The Creative Act: https://amzn.to/3LuLiPH
Shoe Dog: https://amzn.to/41EBVCw
Turning Pro: https://amzn.to/3mUZ8RX
The Autobiography of Malcolm X By Malcolm X with Alex Haley
I often find myself grappling with my ideas and perspectives. Sometimes, it feels like my grasp on them is so tight that they end up destroying what I’m trying to create. I saw a similar pattern in Malcolm X a civil rights leader who lived during the same time as Martin Luther King.
Before reading this book, the only thing I knew about Malcolm X was that he was often compared to Martin Luther King, with Malcolm’s approach being more towards violence and Martin Luther King’s through peace. But after reading his autobiography, I came to realize that he was so much more than that. What really captivated me throughout the book was his heavy-handedness and truthfulness to who he was as a person. He was far from perfect, with an upbringing that was extremely brutal and harsh.
It wasn’t until he was thrown into jail that he became the person he was known for, through self-education by reading every book he could get his hands on, including the dictionary. He was this ruthless, brutal person that advocated violence, but this would all change when he took a trip to Mecca.
During his trip to Mecca, he witnessed sincere hospitality and overwhelming brotherhood that transcended race and color. The experience transformed him, and he expressed it beautifully in a quote:
“There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blonds to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white.”
This quote really touched me because it showed the possibility that happens when all of humanity works towards something greater than themselves. Throughout the book, I realized that I had held on to my ideas so firmly that they were hindering my creativity. I learned the importance of letting go of the idea that things should be “this way” or “that way” and opening myself up to new experiences.
What struck me the most was how little I knew about people that others talk about a lot. I believed what people said about Malcolm X, but it wasn’t until I read his book that I got to see who he truly was. To me, he was a truly reformed man who saw the beauty of unity and brotherhood. This book gave me a new perspective on life, and it showed me that there is always more to learn and understand about the world around us.
12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
While many people were telling us that we Millennials were perfect in every way, Jordan Peterson saw things differently. He acknowledged that there were numerous problems with us, but he also recognized that there were countless solutions. One of his most valuable pieces of advice, which I have applied to my own life, is to “stand up straight with your shoulders back.” This simple act not only gives you more confidence but also makes you physically appear larger. It’s a step towards improving our physical fitness and using our body to calm our mind. Additionally, Peterson’s rule to “not criticize the world until your room is in perfect order” resonated with me. Our bedrooms are a microcosm of the world, and keeping them tidy allows us to generate opinions without distraction from the chaos outside.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
I must admit, I put off reading it for many years, even though Jordan Peterson mentions it religiously . However, after finally delving into it, I was struck by the amazing testament to the human spirit and our resilience in the face of immense suffering and destruction.
The book taught me an important lesson about how often we try to move around through the universe. Throughout the book, I found myself worrying about Dr. Frankle because it might be his last day. But at some point, he tries not to mess with his surroundings in a stoic way, knowing that those who do are unfortunately the ones who pass away.
One of my favorites is a quote by Nietzsche, which Dr. Frankle often mentioned: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’” Another one that stuck with me is “Suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds its meaning.” These quotes remind me that there is always a purpose to our struggles and that they can ultimately help us create our best work.
I believe that Man’s Search for Meaning is a book that every creative person should read, not just once or twice, but every year. Dr. Frankl’s experiences during one of the worst atrocities of humanity at Auschwitz are a testament to the fact that there is always meaning in what we do if we dig hard enough. It’s impossible to read this book and not walk away with a new perspective on the power of the human spirit.
Stolen Focus by Johann Harry
With the constant screen time that we face, focusing has become a struggle for many of us. Johann Harry’s extensive research on attention is impressive, and he presents some shocking facts, like how the average office worker gets distracted every three minutes, and it takes around 23 minutes to regain focus. With multiple screens, video games, cell phones, and other distractions surrounding us, it’s even more challenging to focus. On the Modern Wisdom podcast, Harry summarized why focus is crucial, as without it, achieving our dreams becomes impossible, and we feel terrible.
What really resonated with me was Harry’s recommendation of using an device called the “K-Safe” that locks you out of your phone for a duration of the period. There is no way to get into the device one the time is set, unless you plan on smashing the box open [link below]. Another easy habit that anyone can adopt is turning off your phone for the last hour of the day and the first hour of the day, which drastically improves focus. This book will continue to be relevant as our digital world continues to evolve.
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
As a legendary music producer, Rick Rubin offers his insight into cultivating an environment where artists can flow freely and encourages us to let go of rigidness in the creative process. He emphasizes that inspiration and creativity can come from small seeds, and nurturing them gently can lead to achieving great things.
One quote from the book that has stuck with me is
“Art is choosing to do something skillfully, caring about the details, bringing all of yourself to make the finest work you can. It is beyond ego, vanity, self-glorification, and need for approval.”
These words have been a guiding force for me as I work on my creative projects. I try to apply this insight to my work, striving to be more nurturing towards my ideas and not getting too caught up in the process.
Rubin's book has helped me remove the rigidity in my creative process and allowed me to focus on the core elements of my art. While difficult, I am finding ways to remove the creative constraints I placed on myself and flow freely.
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
“Have faith in yourself, but also have faith in faith. Not faith as others define it. Faith as you define it. Faith as faith defines itself in your heart.”
At first, I thought Shoe Dog story, was just another CEO bragging about their wealth, but I was completely wrong. Phil Knight was a lost loser in his 20’s , but eventually found his footing when he found Nike ( Blue Ribbon Sports initially) from nothing. His journey of taking inspiration from different cultures and pushing through challenges is one that anyone can learn from. Phil Knight went through several problems, like being sued, close bankruptcy, and a struggling to be an absent parent. My heart raced often, despite knowing that Nike would one day become a legendary brand, the story feels like a Greek Legend. I could not put it down after the first chapter.
Turning Pro by Stephen Pressfield’s
Stephen Pressfield’s “Turning Pro” is one such book that I absolutely love. His writing style is engaging, and through podcasts like Joe Rogan and Ryan Holiday, you can really get a feel for his personality. In “Turning Pro,” Pressfield talks about the Muse, that elusive creative force we’re all trying to tap into. The way he describes the Muse as a gorgeous girl that every man tries to talk to, but can’t quite get it right until. However, every once-in-a-while we are able to strong together the right set of words and the muse rewards us with her attention. The touch of the muse feels transcendent and personal. Pressfield’s respect for the Muse is something that will really kick anyone into high gear.
What I love even more about Stephen Pressfield is the way he cuts through all the BS. He knows exactly what we’re all thinking: we have a million and one ideas, but they all start tomorrow. It’s wise old man advice that we could all adhere to, and it’s refreshing to have someone call us out on our procrastination.
The book is short, only about 146 pages, but every creative individual should read it. It’s perfect for those looking to turn pro, to take their creativity to the next level.
Book Order
If I had to rank these books, it would be “Turning Pro” at the top, followed by “The Creative Act” , “Shoe Dog” for its inspiring story of starting from nothing, “Man’s Search for Meaning” and “12 Rules for Life” for their lengthier but thought-provoking content, and finally “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.”
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