The Books That Built Me - How I Became Creative On Purpose

book recommendations creativity personal development Mar 25, 2019
blog post image

This article contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase, Creative On Purpose receives a commission. This helps sustain CoP and its endeavors. Thank you!

 

"Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind."  - James Russell Lowell

Books have always been my go-to source of inspiration and information. These four books, more than any others, inform my journey in building Creative On Purpose into a sustainable brand that enhances the lives of those who collide with it.

Meditations: A New Translation, by Gregory Hays

I chronicled my lifelong relationship with the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius in an article I was commissioned to write for the Modern Stoicism blog. Creative On Purpose began as a project intended to share the virtues of ancient Stoic philosophy as it applied to creative enterprises. Marcus' reminders to himself about gratitude, legacy, character, fate, service, and mortality are gems I tap into daily in my efforts to work with intention and integrity.

This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See, by Seth Godin

I find every book by Seth valuable, but TIM is a crowning achievement. Seth "reclaims" marketing and reminds us that it is not to be confused with advertising. He then champions the cause of telling true stories to people whose lives will be enhanced by hearing them. Like the online course that inspired it, the lessons of TIM won't just make you a better marketer, they'll make you a better person.

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever, by Michael Bungay Stanier

I was introduced to Michael's book in Seth Godin's altMBA. Its impact has been profound on me to the point that coaching is now my primary occupation. But we're all coaches in at least the informal sense, and this book teaches seven simple questions that will help you do it with greater empathy and effect. It also opens with an easy and effective four-step process for building habits that stick.

Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That Is and What You Can Do About It, by Steven Pressfield

The title is bitter medicine, but it promotes long-term health and happiness for storytellers, and we are all storytellers. Steve shares lessons learned as an ad copywriter, novelist, screenplay writer, non-fiction author, self-help guru, and more. His approach is built on Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey and delivered with equal measures of encouragement and caution. Pressfield's War of Art, Turning Pro, and The Artist's Journey trilogy are also worth your time and attention.

These four books, more than any other of the hundreds I've read, have had the biggest impact on my journey in building the Creative On Purpose brand and developing and delivering on its promise to help others fly higher in endeavors that make a difference. You can find them and other helpful resources in the Creative On Purpose Bookstore.


Scott Perry, Chief Difference-Maker at Creative on Purpose

If what you just read resonated, please share it with a friend.