One of the great challenges I'm facing these days is creative margin. I used to read about 150 books per year. But the more I'm writing the less I'm reading. And I've felt a little intellectually stagnant the last few months. I'm still reading, but not with the same level of consistency, variety, or quantity. So yesterday I spent the entire afternoon at a Barnes and Noble. It was so refreshing. I scanned the bookshelves. I sipped a toasted marshmallow latte. And I spent the afternoon reading Starbucked and How Life Imitates Chess.
I think one key to creativity is cross-pollinating. You have to read across disciplines to get new ideas. That I why I love reading everything from neurology to business to physics. It keeps me from becoming a closed-system.
In my experience, an afternoon at the bookstore is the cure for the creative cold.
I think one key to creativity is cross-pollinating. You have to read across disciplines to get new ideas. That I why I love reading everything from neurology to business to physics. It keeps me from becoming a closed-system.
In my experience, an afternoon at the bookstore is the cure for the creative cold.
12 Comments:
Mark, How is that possible aside from some serious speed reading that will of course get you condemned as a witch? I have at least one book going all the time and about the best I can do is maybe 30 books a year (and I have to say the best one I read this year was "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." Have you heard of it?
must read Mclarens new book, "Everything Must Change"...that will give you some things to think about...love your blog keep us posted on how your journey is going with your son. Mine is 10 and I want to do this with him as well asap. Thanks
I couldn't agree more, Mark.
I recently read "Playtpus: The Extraordinary Story of How a Curious Creature Baffled the World."
This spawned from me sitting around one day and thinking, "I want to read about something I don't anything about.... hmmm.... the platypus!" So I got on Amazon, and that was about the only platypus book that wasn't for ages 4-9.
Mark, I couldn't agree more. I am planting a church in Arizona and I am really excited about seeing you and hopefully meeting you Nov. 29-30 at Radiant Church. Thanks for your consistent message. It has stretched my thinking and was a catalyst God used to inspire me to take a risk to plant this church.
Tim,
It seems sort of crazy looking back, but I had a couple study days, no staff to manage, one location, and I've always bought books strategically off of Amazon in preparation for sermon series.
I do read at different levels. Some books I read every word and underline like crazy. Other books aren't as captivating so I read on a more superficial level.
Mark
One my favorite musicians is a Glenn Gould, perhaps best known for his two definitive recordings of Bach's Goldberg Variations. Brilliant and eccentric, he was a great pianist but also loved conducting radio interviews. He enjoyed, for example, inviting astronomers to hold forth on theology, or medical doctors to discuss economics. He believed that interesting insights came forth from such cross-disciplinary conversations. Gould was showcased in the 1993 film 32 Short Files About Glenn Gould.
Amen Brother!
Reading is such an important part of growth but it quickly gets pushed to the side in the hectic world of ministry and family. It is awesome just to take an afternoon and chill at B&N and get lost in some books. I agree with the idea of reading varied subjects, we need to keep expanding our borders that expands our creativity and it also allows us to relate to more people.
Mark, if you had to recommend three books to read, what would they be?
Patrick,
That is a killer question! I have recommended books listed on my blog...so tough to narrow it down. One great read recently was "Made to Stick" by Chip and Dan Heath. Great read.
Mark
that is a serious reading level, even for a speed reader.
You talked about reading across disciples- how have you gone about picking the books that you read?
I'm extremely curious so I follow my curiosities, but I also shop on amazon.com very strategically for sermon series. I get books on themes I'm preaching on. And I also browse at the bookstore.
Mark
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