Stefan Sagmeister: The Power of Time Off

Recommended reading...

Check back often to catch the ongoing updates on my favorite books…

Skill-Building and Performance

Outliers - The Story of Success

Malcolm Gladwell - New York: Little Brown, and Company, 2008

Malcolm Gladwell explodes the myth that excellence is the result of some mysterious, innate talent. By examining research and the lives of a variety of “outliers’ he explores the logic of extraordinary success, delving into the impact of ‘deep practice’ (10,000 hours…), family, and birthplace.

The Talent Code - Greatness Isn’t Born, It’s Grown. Here’s How

Daniel Coyle - New York: Bantam Books, 2009

Weaving together real world examples with brain science and behavioral research, Daniel Coyle breaks the process of expert skill-building into three main pieces: deep practice, coaching, and motivation.

Talent Is Overrated - What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else

Geoff Colvin - New York: Portfolio, 2008

Geoff Colvin explores ‘deliberate practice’ in individual and group contexts. This book covers much of the same ground as The Talent Code with the inclusion of a section describing organizational applications.

The Way We're Working Isn't Working - The Four Forgotten Needs That Energize Great Performance

Tony Schwartz - New York: Free Press, 2010

Tony Schwartz covers a wide range of topics in this actionable book focused on creating efficiency in the workplace. His premise is that people need four types of energy to perform at their best; physical (sustainability), emotional (security), mental (self-expression), and spiritual (significance). He provides practical steps and illustrations for each section. For example; we work best in 45 to 90 minute, highly focused sprints intermixed with periods of renewal.

Practicing, The Psychology of Creation, and Overcoming Creative Blocks

The War of Art - Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Steven Pressfield - New York: Grand Central Publishing, 2002

This classic book (by the author of The Legend of Bagger Vance) should be read by everyone. We are all artists and have a gift to give the world. Steven Pressfield inspires in this funny, straight-from-the-hip, kick in the pants, identifying the roadblocks that keep our potential under wraps and prescribing strategies that take no prisoners. 

Free Play - Improvisation in Life and Art

Stephen Nachmanovitch - New York: Putnam, 1990

This is one of the best books I have ever read on the essence of improvisation and the creative process.

Effortless Mastery - Liberating the Master Musician Within

Kenny Werner - New Albany: Jamey Abersold Jazz, Inc., 1996

Jazz piano virtuoso Kenny Werner shares his approach to practicing, getting out of the music’s way, and developing a state of relaxed focus.

The Art of Practicing - A Guide to Making Music From the Heart

Madeline Bruser - New York: Bell Tower, 1997

This book describes both a physical and spiritual approach to practicing a musical instrument. While most of her instructions are for pianists, the principles can be applied to any instrument.

Practicing - A Musician’s Return to Music

Glenn Kurtz - New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2007

Classical guitarist Glenn Kurtz describes his personal journey as a music student who eventually drifts away from his passion only to return years later. The book is largely a memoir but contains many vivid descriptions of the process of practicing.

The Pat Metheny Interviews - The Inner Workings of His Creativity Revealed

Richard Niles - New York: Hal Leonard, 2009

With the unique perspective of a fellow guitarist and long-time friend, Richard Niles captures the essence of Pat Metheny’s creative evolution, process, and work ethic in a collection of conversations culled from a three-part BBC radio series.