The Practice

By: Seth Godin

Narrated by: Seth Godin

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin. 

From the best-selling author of Purple Cow and This Is Marketing comes an elegant book that will inspire artists, writers and entrepreneurs to stretch and commit to putting their best work out into the world. 

Creative work doesn't come with a guarantee. But there is a pattern to who succeeds and who doesn't. And engaging in the consistent practice of its pursuit is the best way forward.

Based on the breakthrough Akimbo workshop pioneered by legendary author Seth Godin, The Practice will help you get unstuck and find the courage to make and share creative work. Godin insists that writer's block is a myth, that consistency is far more important than authenticity and that experiencing the imposter syndrome is a sign that you're a well-adjusted human. Most of all, he shows you what it takes to turn your passion from a private distraction to a productive contribution, the one you've been seeking to share all along. 

With this book as your guide, you'll learn to dance with your fear. To take the risks worth taking. And to embrace the empathy required to make work that contributes with authenticity and joy.

©2020 Seth Godin (P)2020 Penguin Audio

All over the place, not much new

I've read quite a few Seth's books, perhaps I'm not his audience anymore. There was very little new in this book for me and I really struggled to find a red thread..

Must for all creatives

This is my favourite book of Seth’s. I listen on repeat when I’m in a creative project or writing a book. It reminds me to be brave. To show up and do the work. To make my art. And to ship it. A must for anyone who wants to bring their best work to the world.

One of Godin's best audiobooks.

Really enjoyed this book. It felt both inspiring and focussed (unlike some of Seth's other recent books).

I Learned NOTHING

Lots of crap Seth does not know what practice is
He has never practiced this book is a scam

I love Seth!

I haven’t know Seth all my life, but in the last couple of years his books and events with him have popped up in my life and every time I finish a book or an event with him I’m inspired for change and opportunities.

The Practice is no different. It’s a great checklist to what we need to do to become better and better at what we love to do and get rewarded for it.

Thank you, Seth

Seth does it again

His piercing, minimalist insight gets me everytime. Like a trusted friend telling you that dress is not your colour, you know they are right even if it stings a little. He manages to tell you exactly what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear. I now know creativity, relevance and significance will not appear on my doorstep as a mirage, but can be manufactured by showing up. I'm off to make a ruckus.

Standing ovation

Like a fine wine, Seth gets better with age! Better at giving to the world and better at making a deep contribution.

A series of blog posts

Some great impactful words here that inspire for a day or two. Seth does a great job of finding interesting ways to express ideas about creative work. He's a master. That's why I took his courses and probably spent $5k on this guy over the years. That said, I didn't find this book very useful and will likely soon forget it as it's all stuff Seth has been saying for years and years. Not practical or actionable, just vague Godin-isms like "do the hard work of emotional empathy", "the people you seek to serve" and "people like us do things like this". It's very quotable and repeatable, especially by other altMBA alumni who can't move past his words and actually do their work. I don't like the culty nature of some of the phrases in the book that when you really dig into them have very little to offer in practical wisdom. I just don't find it useful but others might. Still others will just repeat it to sound smart while it has little to no effect on their success and ability to do their work.

Get ready for the sermon... and the ear plugs.

I’m a big fan of Seths blog and try catch any interviews with him on various platforms and always find them enjoyable and enlightening.

So it was hugely disappointing to find this book to be pompous, preachy, unrealistic and written by somebody clearly in a bubble, having lost touch with what it’s like in the real world.

It’s massively repetitive, and I think what wisdom is contained within, could be communicated in a short blog.

The Bible of Creativity

Paradigm-shifting. I'd listen to it over and over again. Empowering. Riveting. Validating. It came into my life exactly when I needed it - as I was forced by the pandemic to reinvent myself after my first business was wiped out by the quarantine. I highly recommend the book to everyone who's ever struggled with self-doubt, insecurity, or poor sense of worth.

I love Seth, this is more of a list though

As a totally biased adoring fan of Seth, Mr Godin always seems to write the right stuff at the right time, very narrative fitting, very hopeful and "stay the course" ride the wave content.

I loved This Is Marketing, and he was the very first reason I got into business for good, honest, ethical selling, way back in 2015. The Practice however, I felt was more of the same old, I also have it in print, and I feel it reads literally better as a list in print rather than read by the man himself on Audible.

Like a great songwriter, Seth's words continue to ring true. Yet, The Practice was quite hard to listen to (I am often driving/delivering so that is more likely the culprit) and quite reflective of 2020.

That's maybe all it was "supposed" to be.
Maybe try it again in the future, but it has left me wanting to relisten to This Is Marketing.

This has changed my life

This book is honest, it's inspirational, it's bordering on obvious, which is what makes it so genius. It made me cry several times, it's exactly what I needed and what I imagine many others need.

Thank you for telling me what I already knew but keep avoiding. Thanks for commiting to your practice to give me the chance to commit to mine.

This book is worth every bloody penny.

Jac

Excellent! Just excellent!

Seth again at his best. The Practice is one of those books you need by your side. If you’re a creative, entrepreneur or anyone who cares about changing the world through their work, you need to listen/read this book.

Very important for artists

Thanks Seth for this amazing book. As a musician it solves a lot of internal questions

Great if you need a big dose of self belief

I’ve listened once & now going back for second go. I think this book with be a real asset to me

Searching for Godin!!

I’ve listened to this countless times..it is like my bible!
It has helped to reassure and guide me in times of doubt and reluctance during my creative process.
Thank you Seth!

absolutely brilliant and essential for artists

give it a go.
and read it again :)
you will be inspired again and again.