The World's Best Book Summaries
Who is your art’s audience? Should you make work for yourself or for other people? The Practice by Seth Godin claims that finding your art’s purpose involves figuring out who the work is for. Maybe your art is just for yourself, or maybe it’s for other people who might enjoy your work. Read below to decide who you should make art for.
Are you facing a difficult decision? How do you make a decision when neither option is appealing? When making hard decisions in life, first and foremost, consult your values. If you make a decision that contradicts your values, you’ll likely regret it down the road. Your core values are the guiding compass that will lead you in the right direction even when you don’t know your final destination. Keep reading to learn about the importance of values in decision-making.
What are Rupi Kaur’s poems in The Sun and Her Flowers about? What are the key lessons and takeaways from the poems? Rupi Kaur’s The Sun and Her Flowers is a book of poems describing her life experiences and what she learned from making it through tough times. Some of the most important lessons Kaur learned were how to appreciate the positives and criticize the negatives in her life. Keep reading for an overview of the life lessons from Rupi Kaur’s poems in The Sun and Her Flowers.
What was Martin Seligman’s major contribution to psychology? What is the psychology of helplessness? How can you know if you’ve learned helplessness? Psychologist Martin Seligman’s learned helplessness theory has changed how we understand pessimism and optimism. Perhaps most importantly, Seligman’s theory helps to explain a leading cause of depression and how to treat it by unlearning helplessness. Read on to learn about Martin Seligman’s learned helplessness theory and why it can lead to depression.
Have you read Steal Like an Artist? What other creative self-help books should you read? In Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon (a self-described “writer who draws”) shares his tips for maximizing your creativity, finding inspiration, breaking out of a creative rut, and connecting with other people doing exciting work. His advice applies to anyone who uses creative thinking in their work, not just to artists in the traditional sense. Check out these books if Steal Like an Artist made an impact on your life.
Do you plan your week in advance, or do you prefer to go with the flow? What’s the best way to schedule your week? When planning ahead, most people prioritize work, not play. If you want to make the most of your week, you should reverse this approach and plan your week around your leisure time, not your work. Here’s how to schedule your week for maximum happiness.
Is creativity a skill? How can you learn creativity? The Practice by Seth Godin argues that creativity does not require that you be touched by the “muse.” It doesn’t require genius or suffering or even confidence. Instead, creativity is a skill that can be learned. Read more to learn why Godin believes anyone can be a creative mastermind.
Do you tend to procrastinate until the last minute? How can you prevent procrastination before it takes hold of your mind? The longer you procrastinate on an unpleasant or difficult task, the harder it is to get yourself to do it. That’s why it’s important to counteract procrastination before it has a chance to get started. Here’s how to prevent procrastination before it’s too late.
Do you always have a plan B? Why is it important to plan for the worst and hope for the best, as the popular adage goes? Most of us tend to underestimate the likelihood of the worst-case scenario, thinking that the chances of it coming to pass are slim to none. As a result, we fail to make contingency plans, and if the worst does come to pass, panic ensues because we’re not prepared to face it. Here’s why you should always plan for the worst-case scenario, no matter how unlikely it seems.
Do you have an artistic voice? How can you find your artistic voice? An artistic voice can make your creative work better, according to Seth Godin in The Practice. If you trust your own voice, you’ll be able to create something unique that will stand out. Read below to learn how to find your artistic voice.