The Practice

Shipping Creative Work

By: Seth Godin

Narrated by: Seth Godin

Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of Linchpin, Tribes, and The Dip comes an elegant little 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

Critic reviews

"This is the book I need right now. It’s an extraordinary and electrifying call to action for writers, artists and creators in every walk of life. I re-read passages and felt as if my own secret creed was being explained back to me, in words I hadn’t yet found."

--Rosanne Cash, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter

“The Practice is a user’s manual for finding your calling and an alchemist’s handbook for pursuing your dream.”

--Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art  

“Seth's book is a skeleton key specially molded to unlock the most creative version of you. Read it, and find yourself free to be who you know you really are.” 

--Brian Koppelman, co-producer and co-creator of Billions  

Not a book - just a series of short affirmations

I wouldn't have bought this book if I knew what it was. I'm 1.5h in and so far he's gone through 50+ chapters. It's more like Godin is reading the blurbs off of a bunch of books in a row without cracking the spine on any of them. Very surface-level and disappointing.

Also, I wish Godin would stop reading his own books. The narration is passable but would greatly benefit from a pro's touch. He emphasizes too many words and it leads to a song-song lullaby effect. Hard to focus on.

I struggle with this format

I forgot Tribes was like this too. I feel like I'm being read a list of headlines from Oprah episodes. The thing that kills me is that I find Seth so inspirational in interviews and discussing in depth the topics that he speaks about. And while I love the idea of sound bite dissemination of ideas, this format loses me almost immediately. My mind wanders and it's not wandering more deeply into the subject but wandering from boredom to other things. I hate that I didn't love this book but for me the author is better in almost every other format other than his own writing.

A funny thing happened...

As a long time fan of Seth Godin, I was excited about this book. I must admit, about a third or the way thru I found myself frustrated that the “snippets” didn’t seem to be cohesive or connected. I liked them, but failed to see how it was weaving together.

Then a funny thing happened: it all clicked. It all connected. It instantly became inspiring.

The last half of the book contained nugget after nugget and was just fantastic.

I’m not sure anything changed with the book - perhaps it was ME.

But either way, I suspect this is a book I’ll be revisiting often when I need creative and leadership inspiration.

This book is boring.

This book is boring. Seth Godin is an interesting person. But to listen to the book being read is like listening to someone read the ingredients to hot dog over and over. He repeats himself over and over. I get it. The practice is art. How many times do you say the same thing over and over. I couldn’t make it more than 30 minutes or so. Boring boring boring :(

Powerfully enabling

One of the best books I’ve listened to on art and creativity. Purely enabling. Empowers the artist for brave and generous living. Thank you Mr. Godin.🙏🏽

SO GOOD!

As a creative entrepreneur, I owe Seth so much gratitude for helping me “allow myself” to “trust myself”. This book might be his best yet. Love it!

Godin does it again

Seth Godin’s books always have so much wisdom and knowledge that he shares in a way that is profound and challenging. In The Practice Godin inspires people to create while giving viable tools to help off set challenges that creators might face. This book is very well written and is very motivating.

Writer

Excellent book for those needing the extra push to keep on moving. Keep the Practice!

Good info but very little new here.

Just felt like a collection of his blog posts. Really wanted to love it but couldn't. Seth is still a guru.

Just the words I needed, even if I’ve heard it before

I so appreciated this book of Seth’s and needed to have it in my path at the time I read it - I loved Steven Pressfields “ The War of Art” and have read it so many times and this book will be right up there as the same ! It’s something I’ll need to hear again and again to remind myself to be brave and how to do it with integrity when I lose my way- I started watching Seth’s interviews and have SO appreciated his perspective in this hustle and grind world of social media, to have someone remind us that we can go about social media as we best see fit and thrive in that - there are so many incredible points to this book and I’m sure I’ll need the hard copy - after hearing Seth read the books of his I’ve listened to, it wouldn’t be the same without his voice in this - all around amazing piece of work and I thank him for this ! I have a gallery and need this “back up” in my thoughts as I lean into courage and stay in my lane as I should .-I hope I get the chance to thank him in person one day !

Amy Keever
Amy Keever Gallery