10 Non-Art Related Books Every Artist Should Read

As artists and content creators, we all know the importance of constantly learning and growing in our craft.

But let’s be honest, as much as I wish I could tell you otherwise, making beautiful art or valuable content is only one side of the coin in this field. Honing your creative skills is not enough. Making it in a creative field is a constant balance of obtaining new skills, mastering your craft and, somehow, finding a way to keep a positive mindset through the ups and downs of being a creative.

So what can we do to help us keep this balance? I have personally found that reading has helped me learn new skills, expand my perspective, and even maintain my sanity during challenging times in my creative career.

Books have been a constant companion, and I have accumulated a perhaps unhealthy amount of them. Over the years, some of these books stood out over the rest, so today, I want to share with you some of my top non-art books that every working artist should read.

Whether you're looking to improve your productivity, cultivate better habits, or turn your creative pursuits into a business, these books might have what you need to help you take the next step. So if you're looking to level up your skills as a content creator and build better habits, give these books a try and see how they can help you grow and thrive in your craft.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

This novel is a beautiful reminder of the importance of following our dreams and passions, no matter how difficult the journey may seem. It's a great read for artists who may be feeling a little lost or unsure about their path. This heartwarming tale of self-discovery is a great reminder to always follow our hearts and chase our dreams, no matter what obstacles come our way.

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

As artists, it can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others or feeling like our work is never good enough. This book is all about the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in our lives, and will remind you to embrace your unique voice and perspective as an artist. This book is all about the power of vulnerability and authenticity in our lives and relationships, and encourages us to embrace our flaws and imperfections, and to be courageous in sharing our true selves with the world. This is a must-read for artists who struggle with self-doubt or imposter syndrome.

The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

If you're feeling overwhelmed and like you're constantly juggling multiple projects and tasks, this book is for you. It teaches you the power of focusing on just one thing at a time and helps you prioritize your workload. By learning to focus on the one thing that matters most, we can achieve greater success and fulfilment in our lives. This book is a great resource for artists who struggle with productivity or finding the time to work on their craft. It will challenge you to narrow your focus on just your “One Thing”, which for those with a creative mind, can be the most challenging task of all.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

This book is all about the power of small, incremental changes in our lives, and how they can lead to big results. It's a great read for artists who are looking to build new habits or break old ones in order to improve their work and productivity.

If you are looking to nurture your skills as a content creator and build better habits, then you might want to check out my other blog post on how to stay motivated and productive with  Atomic Habits for Creatives, where I share how applying the book’s teachings drastically changed how I approach my creative work.

The book discusses how small shifts in your routine over time can help you become more productive and successful. So if you're feeling stuck into the procrastination quicksands or struggle to get a consistent practice going, this is a must-read!

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

This book is all about the concept of "flow," which is that state of complete immersion in an activity that leads to optimal performance. Like when you are so immersed in your work that you forget to eat or sleep - although that might be the extreme version of flow. As creatives, it's important to find ways to get into that "flow" state as often as possible, and this book will give you valuable insights on how to do that. Whether you're working on a painting, writing a screenplay, or composing music, this book will give you valuable strategies to get into the zone and stay there.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Whether you're a freelancer or part of a team, this book will teach you valuable habits that will help you manage your time, set goals, and communicate more effectively with others. As artists, it's important to have strong time management and communication skills, and this book will give you the tools to develop them. This classic book has helped millions of people become more effective and successful in their lives, although if you decide to pick this book up, be warned, it is going to be a long ( and a bit outdated ) read.

Launch by Jeff Walker

If you're an artist who is looking to turn your creative pursuits into a business, this book is a must-read. It takes you step by step through the process of creating and launching a successful product or service, and is filled with practical tips and strategies. Whether you're an artist looking to sell your work online, or start a creative business from scratch, this book will give you the tools you need to

Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

This book is fun, geeky and actionable! It is all about the ways in which our brains often make irrational decisions, and how we can learn to make better choices.

By learning more about how our brains work, we can make more informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls. This book is a fascinating exploration of the ways in which our brains often make irrational decisions, and is a great resource for artists who want to understand the psychology behind consumer behaviour and make better choices in their work and marketing.

Deep Work by Cal Newport

This book had a huge effect on how I structure my work day. Before reading this book, I often found myself feeling overwhelmed and unproductive because my focus was so scattered across too many tasks. Reading Deep work helped me address my scheduling mistakes and lifted a huge cloud of stress from my workday. The concepts in this book are simple but powerful. It explains why it can be hard to find time to focus and how we can really sink into our work. This book is all about the importance of "deep work" (i.e., intense focus on a single task) and how to create enough discipline to do it regularly. As artists, it's important to find ways to stay focused and immersed in our work - to get into the flow, and this book will give you valuable strategies to do just that.

Getting Things Done by David Allen

If you're struggling to stay organized and productive, this book is for you. It teaches you valuable time management and productivity strategies that will help you get more done in less time. This classic book is all about streamlining your workflow and staying organized, and is a must-read for anyone looking to increase their productivity and tame procrastination.

Whether you're an artist with a full plate of projects and tasks, or just looking to be more efficient and effective, this book has something for you. By learning to prioritize and focus on the most important tasks, you can get more done in less time and feel more in control of your work.

So there you have it, ten non-art books every working artist should read. I hope you'll give them a chance and see how they can help you become more effective and successful in your creative pursuits and perhaps help you never get stuck into the quicksand again. Happy reading!

Do you have any book suggestions to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!