Audiobook5 hours
The Spark and The Grind: Ignite the Power of Disciplined Creativity
Written by Erik Wahl
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
2.5/5
()
About this audiobook
We've been conditioned to think about creative genius as a dichotomy: dreamers versus doers, creativity versus discipline, the spark versus the grind.
But what if we're wrong?
What if it's the spark and the grind?
We love people whose creative genius arrives in sudden sparks of inspiration. Think of Archimedes in his bathtub or Newton under his apple tree.
But we also admire people who work incredibly hard and long for their creative breakthroughs. Think of Edison in his lab, grinding through hundreds of failed variations on the lightbulb. We remember his words in tough times: “Genius is 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.”
Now Erik Wahl, a visual artist, speaker, and entrepreneur, helps us unite the yin and yang of creativity- the dynamic new ideas with the dogged effort. He shows why we won't get far if we rely on the spark without the grind, or the grind without the spark. What the world really needs are the creators who can hold the two in balance.
Fortunately, it's possible to get good at both, as Wahl knows from experience. After his corporate career suddenly ended, he pursued a spark-to paint photorealistic portraits-and ground it out until he got good enough to make very good art very quickly. That's the basis of his riveting live shows, which have captivated skeptical audiences who never expected to be inspired by art-and taught them to embrace creativity in a whole new way.
This audiobook offers surprising insights and practical advice about how to fan the sparks and make the grind more productive. Wahl deftly synthesizes the wisdom of other artists, philosophers, scientists, and business visionaries throughout history, along with his own views. Here's how he sums up his approach:
The world needs people who enjoy swimming in ideas until they discover a great one. The world also needs doers who have a gift for activation, a.k.a. “getting s*** done.” But the most potent individual creators in any industry or environment have learned how to be both. They've learned how to spark their grind and they've learned how to grind their sparks. As a result, they not only make things happen, they make great things.
If you want to ensure constant creativity in your life and produce your most innovative work-this is your guide.
But what if we're wrong?
What if it's the spark and the grind?
We love people whose creative genius arrives in sudden sparks of inspiration. Think of Archimedes in his bathtub or Newton under his apple tree.
But we also admire people who work incredibly hard and long for their creative breakthroughs. Think of Edison in his lab, grinding through hundreds of failed variations on the lightbulb. We remember his words in tough times: “Genius is 1 percent inspiration, 99 percent perspiration.”
Now Erik Wahl, a visual artist, speaker, and entrepreneur, helps us unite the yin and yang of creativity- the dynamic new ideas with the dogged effort. He shows why we won't get far if we rely on the spark without the grind, or the grind without the spark. What the world really needs are the creators who can hold the two in balance.
Fortunately, it's possible to get good at both, as Wahl knows from experience. After his corporate career suddenly ended, he pursued a spark-to paint photorealistic portraits-and ground it out until he got good enough to make very good art very quickly. That's the basis of his riveting live shows, which have captivated skeptical audiences who never expected to be inspired by art-and taught them to embrace creativity in a whole new way.
This audiobook offers surprising insights and practical advice about how to fan the sparks and make the grind more productive. Wahl deftly synthesizes the wisdom of other artists, philosophers, scientists, and business visionaries throughout history, along with his own views. Here's how he sums up his approach:
The world needs people who enjoy swimming in ideas until they discover a great one. The world also needs doers who have a gift for activation, a.k.a. “getting s*** done.” But the most potent individual creators in any industry or environment have learned how to be both. They've learned how to spark their grind and they've learned how to grind their sparks. As a result, they not only make things happen, they make great things.
If you want to ensure constant creativity in your life and produce your most innovative work-this is your guide.
Related to The Spark and The Grind
Related audiobooks
Everyday Creative: A Dangerous Guide for Making Magic at Work Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Creativity Rules: Getting Ideas Out of Your Head and into the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Insight Out: Get Ideas Out of Your Head and Into the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sparked: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work that Makes You Come Alive Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Fun Formula: How Curiosity, Risk-Taking, and Serendipity Can Revolutionize How You Work Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maximize Your Potential: Grow Your Expertise, Take Bold Risks & Build an Incredible Career Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Multi-Hyphen Life: Work Less, Create More, and Design a Life That Works for You Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nobody Knows What They're Doing: The 10 Secrets All Artists Should Know Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Good Idea. Now What?: How to Move Ideas to Execution Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lifescale: How to Live a More Creative, Productive and Happy Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Keep Your Day Job: How to Turn Your Passion into Your Career Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Make Brilliant Work: Lessons on Creativity, Innovation, and Success Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How Creativity Rules the World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas into Gold Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Creating Space to Thrive: Get Unstuck, Reboot Your Creativity and Change Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Artisan Soul: Crafting Your Life into a Work of Art Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Creativity: The Perfect Crime Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Purple Crayons: The Art of Drawing a Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Myths of Creativity: The Truth About How Innovative Companies and People Generate Great Ideas Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Magic of Tiny Business: You Don’t Have to Go Big to Make a Great Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment's Notice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Make Art Make Money: Lessons from Jim Henson on Fueling Your Creative Career Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Wonder Switch: The Difference Between Limiting Your Life and Living Your Dream Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Creative Calling: Establish a Daily Practice, Infuse Your World with Meaning, and Succeed in Work + Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Business Minded Creative: How To Live A Fulfilling Creative Life And Make Money Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Creativity For You
Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Summary: The Creative Act: A Way of Being By Rick Rubin: Key Takeaways, Summary and Analysis Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon - Book Summary: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The PARA Method: Simplify, Organize, and Master Your Digital Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/51000 Words: A Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All-Year Round Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mind Management, Not Time Management: Productivity When Creativity Matters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Choose Wonder Over Worry: Move Beyond Fear and Doubt to Unlock Your Full Potential Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Be a Writing Machine: Write Faster and Smarter, Beat Writer’s Block, And Be Prolific Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rewrite Your Life: Discover Your Truth Through the Healing Power of Fiction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sacred Codes in Times of Crisis: A Channeled Text for Living the Gift of Conscious Co-Creation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/531 Days to Creativity: Daily Exercises for an Explosion of Creativity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why Smart People Hurt: A Guide for the Bright, the Sensitive, and the Creative Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Quiet by Susan Cain - Book Summary: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary: The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron: Key Takeaways, Summary & Analysis Included Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWord by Word Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How To Write Non-Fiction: Turn Your Knowledge Into Words Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Listening Path: The Creative Art of Attention (A 6-Week Artist's Way Program) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Write for Life: Creative Tools for Every Writer (A 6-Week Artist's Way Program) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Creative Quest Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Song Maps: A New System to Write Your Best Lyrics Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Jazz of Physics: The Secret Link Between Music and the Structure of the Universe Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Change Your Brain, Change Your Life (Before 25): Change Your Developing Mind for Real-World Success Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Create: Tools from Seriously Talented People to Unleash Your Creative Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Spark and The Grind
Rating: 2.500000025 out of 5 stars
2.5/5
4 ratings0 reviews