When you think of investing, what comes to mind?
Probably money.
But how about investing in yourself?
You are your own biggest asset in life. Investing in your skills, abilities, talents, and passions will help you live a fuller life and reach your goals.
Reading is one of the best ways to invest in yourself. I’ve got to be honest—I’m not a huge reader. But I have read a few amazing books recently that inspired me and helped boost my creativity.
And I want to share those with you! You can check out my full YouTube video on the topic or read on here for three must-read books to spark creativity, no matter your background.
3 Books to Boost Creativity
1. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
I learned about this book on TikTok and I’m so glad I picked it up.
It’s a book full of tips to be more creative and how to think about your work differently. I’m always wondering—what’s next? What’s the next move? What video should I make? And the answer’s always the same: to do what feels right and true to me.
And that’s what this book is about—sparking creativity by following your passions. You don’t need to figure it all out but can just start creating today.
Big idea: Nothing is random, and everything is valuable. In art and creativity, we draw on all experiences to create something new and unique.
2. Creative Confidence by David Kelley and Tom Kelley
This book was written by the founders of IDEO, a world-renowned design and innovation agency. They draw on their wealth of experience to tell stories about people who are finding creativity in their day-to-day lives.
I think this is the perfect book for someone who doesn’t feel very creative—either in the moment or generally in their work and life. These real-life examples of creatives in any and all industries is the perfect thing to demonstrate the power of creative thinking to transform the world.
Big idea: Creativity is a mindset and a way of thinking. Not everyone is or can be an artist, but we can all be more creative lawyers, doctors, or teachers.
3. Creative Quest by Questlove
If you don’t know who Questlove is, pause and check out his work. He’s an amazing artist, designer, musician, and all-around creative.
This book reads as a memoir, where Questlove walks you through his past experiences, projects, ideas, and collaborations. It’s a one-of-a-kind guide to living your best life and pursuing creative passions.
Big idea: Life lessons from Questlove on how to be a better collaborator by building relationships for your creative pursuits.
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There it is—three ideas that inspired me to be more creative in my life and work. I hope they inspire you, too.
If you want to dive in a bit deeper and here some of my favorite quotes and passages from the book, check out my recent video about it. And, while you’re there, let me know if you have any other book recommendations to inspire creativity!