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  • The Practice

  • Shipping Creative Work
  • Written by: Seth Godin
  • Narrated by: Seth Godin
  • Length: 5 hrs and 38 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (166 ratings)

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The Practice

Written by: Seth Godin
Narrated by: Seth Godin
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Publisher's Summary

From the best-selling author of Linchpin, Tribes, and The Dip comes an elegant little book that will inspire artists, writers, and entrepreneurs to stretch and commit to putting their best work out into the world.

Creative work doesn't come with a guarantee. But there is a pattern to who succeeds and who doesn't. And engaging in the consistent practice of its pursuit is the best way forward. 

Based on the breakthrough Akimbo workshop pioneered by legendary author Seth Godin, The Practice will help you get unstuck and find the courage to make and share creative work. Godin insists that writer's block is a myth, that consistency is far more important than authenticity, and that experiencing the imposter syndrome is a sign that you're a well-adjusted human. Most of all, he shows you what it takes to turn your passion from a private distraction to a productive contribution, the one you've been seeking to share all along.

With this book as your guide, you'll learn to dance with your fear. To take the risks worth taking. And to embrace the empathy required to make work that contributes with authenticity and joy. 

©2020 Seth Godin (P)2020 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

"This is the book I need right now. It’s an extraordinary and electrifying call to action for writers, artists and creators in every walk of life. I re-read passages and felt as if my own secret creed was being explained back to me, in words I hadn’t yet found."

--Rosanne Cash, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter

“The Practice is a user’s manual for finding your calling and an alchemist’s handbook for pursuing your dream.”

--Steven Pressfield, author of The War of Art  

“Seth's book is a skeleton key specially molded to unlock the most creative version of you. Read it, and find yourself free to be who you know you really are.” 

--Brian Koppelman, co-producer and co-creator of Billions  

What listeners say about The Practice

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Brilliant and Empowering - What I need(ed)!

I loved this book and found it very empowering.

This is a great listen for people like me who have a great idea coupled with fear that is bolstered by social anxiety (or any number of other hinderances that Seth tackles in this book).

Seth encourages us to get out of our own way and simply do the work.

I have finished my first listen and plan on listening again and again until I internalize his message.

Thank you Seth!

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Really good but also dense

There are more good ideas in here than you can shake a stick at. It’s like a firehose of great points though.. I found that I had to let go of some points in order to think of others (I can and will go back for them though). I had to pause it and give myself more time think about what’s being said (and how it applies to my ‘practise’)... but, this is where I’ve found gold. I recommend

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Tremendous Insight

I’ve spent the majority of my working life as in freelance independent artist. This book has changed it all for me. I could very much have used it 30 years ago but I’ll take it now.

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Seth always provides value

Knowledge described in this book is very practical, very useful, and very easy to implement at any stage business and personal life.

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Must read

Do not fall into the error of thinking this book is about business, this is a guide to excellence in all aspects of life

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An inspiring read

As soon as I finished this book I wanted to listen to it again. Every chapter is full of small piece of golden wisdom. As a creator and academic I felt so inspired.

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A Practical Proffessional's Guide to Practice

Loved it.
I think this 1 will be listened to over and over.
Packed with Gems and Nuggets.
Daily Mantra or Professional training guide....
the Next Level 'War of Art'

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I need practice…

… staying awake while listening to this guy’s book. I can’t even focus on what he is saying. Im sure he has great ideas, but his reading cadence is borderline unlistenable. Wish audible would do a refund for me!

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every arts must read this.

Best book I've read in 10 years. Seth is the real deal. thank you thank you thank you!!

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    5 out of 5 stars

I love every minute of this book - Must read

This is the boom I wish I had to read when I was a young adult. I am sure I would have reach where I am today much earlier in life

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  • Colin Davis
  • 2020-12-04

Not a book - just a series of short affirmations

I wouldn't have bought this book if I knew what it was. I'm 1.5h in and so far he's gone through 50+ chapters. It's more like Godin is reading the blurbs off of a bunch of books in a row without cracking the spine on any of them. Very surface-level and disappointing.

Also, I wish Godin would stop reading his own books. The narration is passable but would greatly benefit from a pro's touch. He emphasizes too many words and it leads to a song-song lullaby effect. Hard to focus on.

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  • Seth
  • 2020-11-23

I struggle with this format

I forgot Tribes was like this too. I feel like I'm being read a list of headlines from Oprah episodes. The thing that kills me is that I find Seth so inspirational in interviews and discussing in depth the topics that he speaks about. And while I love the idea of sound bite dissemination of ideas, this format loses me almost immediately. My mind wanders and it's not wandering more deeply into the subject but wandering from boredom to other things. I hate that I didn't love this book but for me the author is better in almost every other format other than his own writing.

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  • EJ
  • 2020-12-28

A funny thing happened...

As a long time fan of Seth Godin, I was excited about this book. I must admit, about a third or the way thru I found myself frustrated that the “snippets” didn’t seem to be cohesive or connected. I liked them, but failed to see how it was weaving together.

Then a funny thing happened: it all clicked. It all connected. It instantly became inspiring.

The last half of the book contained nugget after nugget and was just fantastic.

I’m not sure anything changed with the book - perhaps it was ME.

But either way, I suspect this is a book I’ll be revisiting often when I need creative and leadership inspiration.

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  • Blake Richards
  • 2020-11-14

This book is boring.

This book is boring. Seth Godin is an interesting person. But to listen to the book being read is like listening to someone read the ingredients to hot dog over and over. He repeats himself over and over. I get it. The practice is art. How many times do you say the same thing over and over. I couldn’t make it more than 30 minutes or so. Boring boring boring :(

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9 people found this helpful

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  • Heather Dawn Kuhns
  • 2020-11-05

Powerfully enabling

One of the best books I’ve listened to on art and creativity. Purely enabling. Empowers the artist for brave and generous living. Thank you Mr. Godin.🙏🏽

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-11-03

SO GOOD!

As a creative entrepreneur, I owe Seth so much gratitude for helping me “allow myself” to “trust myself”. This book might be his best yet. Love it!

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  • Hayden Domenico
  • 2020-11-04

Godin does it again

Seth Godin’s books always have so much wisdom and knowledge that he shares in a way that is profound and challenging. In The Practice Godin inspires people to create while giving viable tools to help off set challenges that creators might face. This book is very well written and is very motivating.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2020-12-09

Writer

Excellent book for those needing the extra push to keep on moving. Keep the Practice!

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  • Andy
  • 2021-01-26

Good info but very little new here.

Just felt like a collection of his blog posts. Really wanted to love it but couldn't. Seth is still a guru.

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  • Amy Keever Gallery
  • 2022-03-23

Just the words I needed, even if I’ve heard it before

I so appreciated this book of Seth’s and needed to have it in my path at the time I read it - I loved Steven Pressfields “ The War of Art” and have read it so many times and this book will be right up there as the same ! It’s something I’ll need to hear again and again to remind myself to be brave and how to do it with integrity when I lose my way- I started watching Seth’s interviews and have SO appreciated his perspective in this hustle and grind world of social media, to have someone remind us that we can go about social media as we best see fit and thrive in that - there are so many incredible points to this book and I’m sure I’ll need the hard copy - after hearing Seth read the books of his I’ve listened to, it wouldn’t be the same without his voice in this - all around amazing piece of work and I thank him for this ! I have a gallery and need this “back up” in my thoughts as I lean into courage and stay in my lane as I should .-I hope I get the chance to thank him in person one day !

Amy Keever
Amy Keever Gallery

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