Books to Help You Unlock Your Creativity

Eat, Pray, Love, author Gilbert encourages a creative life – you don’t need permission to make art, you don’t need to quit your day job, and you do need to listen to your own curiosity!

IDEO founder and Stanford d.school creator David Kelley and his brother Tom Kelley, IDEO partner and the author of the bestselling The Art of Innovation, have written a powerful and compelling book on unleashing the creativity that lies within each and every one of us.

Since its first publication, The Artist’s Way phenomena has inspired the genius of Elizabeth Gilbert, Tim Ferriss, and millions of readers to embark on a creative journey and find a deeper connection to process and purpose. Julia Cameron’s novel approach guides readers in uncovering problems areas and pressure points that may be restricting their creative flow and offers techniques to free up any areas where they might be stuck, opening up opportunities for self-growth and self-discovery.

No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving–every day. James Clear, one of the world’s leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

Art has the power to change our lives. For many, becoming an artist is a lifelong dream. But how to make it happen? In How to Be an Artist, Jerry Saltz, one of the art world’s most celebrated and passionate voices, offers an indispensable handbook for creative people of all kinds.

In 1957, Nobel Prize-winning philosopher Albert Camus gave a speech entitled “Create Dangerously,” effectively a call to arms for artists, in particular those who came from an immigrant background, like he did. Camus understood the necessity of those making art as a part of civil society. A bold cry for artistic freedom and responsibility, his words today remain as timely as ever.

Take the pressure off perfect… just get something done! There’s so much research in this book that backs up the almost too-good truth: you don’t need to polish something til it shines. You just need to get it over with and follow through.

Use design thinking to approach a problem – find out what really fulfills you, what you actually enjoy doing, and how to cut out or circumvent the obstacles.