Seven Must Read
Business Books For 2022

7. The Practice

Seth does it again. Short, to the point, but just what you need to hear. The Practice is for artists, creatives, business owners, salespeople, and well anyone really that depends on using their brain to work. The Practice slaps you in the face with honesty. I could see this being the basis for a class in the future. How To Be Productive in a digitally dominated world. 

Here are a couple chapters that stood out to me:

Creativity is an act of leadership

It’s not easy being a creative. And leadership is one of those things that’s hard. Taking a leap of faith to try a new design, a new colour scheme, or new splash page takes guts. But as we’ve learned before, no one is born with courage, we have to earn it.

Perfectionism has nothing to do with being perfect

Think about it. It has to do with that voice inside your head saying you need to make it “the best”. When the best has no definition in the real world. Stop looking for perfection and start focusing on progress.

Skill is not talent

I love Seth’s attitude about skill. Skill is something you had to hone. You had to practice to acquire it. People are born with talent but talent without practice is wasted potential. Talent with practice creates skill. What are you practicing?

Attitudes are skills

A positive attitude is a skill. Learning how to control your attitude especially in difficult situations is a superpower. The person who loses their cool first always loses. So to keep your attitude in check you must practice keeping a positive attitude. The best leaders figure out ways to always have a positive attitude.

Hubris is the opposite of trust

We gain trust by giving it away. By helping others, by putting them first. If you want to undermine your trustworthiness then start being overconfident. Want to become a trusting source? Always put others first

Leaders are imposters

If you’re leading you are doing something that no one else is doing. You are an imposter. If you’re helping people, creating a vision, and working like crazy to achieve the said vision, you are a leader. You are also an imposter. We need to start redefining the word “imposter”. If you feel like one you’re probably doing something that matters.

Good taste is a skill

Like so many skills, good taste is developed over time. Good taste comes from being an editor for decades, having people pitch you idea after idea, and knowing which to choose and which to ignore. That is good taste. Refusing to choose, refusing to publically get called out for a choice is a way to never develop your taste. Just like anything, you need to practice having good taste.

Passion is a choice

You don’t have to care. You don’t have to smile. You don’t have to hold doors open for others. You don’t have to sign emails off in a fun way. You don’t have to answer the phone with a cheery tone of voice. You don’t have to be passionate. But when you are people will notice. You will notice.

Flow is a symptom of the work you do

Stop searching for the magical job that will grant you flow. You only get into it when you’re working on something really care about. It’s hard to explain, it’s a moment where everything falls away and nothing matters except what you’re currently working on. It has happened to me several times, writing, performing, competing. Every now and then I get into the state of flow and it’s lovely. A reminder of why I do what I do. Seeking out moments of flow is good practice.