Getting the right information at the right time is key to success and a happy being. One of the best ways to get this information is via books, and although I like poetry and drama, the most human character beneficial books are in the self-improvement category.
The self-improvement category is a crowded market in the last two decades, and many authors are focusing only on this topic. I am not saying it is terrible. Nonetheless, choosing a rich book that will influence your world perception can be challenging. So, we decide to write down an article about five books, which will definitely give you new concepts and boost your creativity and learning process.
Table of Contents:
- The Art of Learning (by Josh Waitzkin)
- Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (by Betty Edwards)
- Why We Sleep (by Matthew Walker)
- The Power of Now (by Eckhart Tolle)
- The Art of Game Design (by Jesse Schell)
1. The Art of Learning
The book that everyone should read. The Art of Learning is the autobiography of Josh Waitzkin which is an American chess play and martial artist who became an international chess master
at an early age and also holds the 2004 world champion title in Tai chi.
In the media, Josh is taken as a prodigy and ingenious person. However, as he himself says, “The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety.” So, from his perspective and the book perspective, he got only good parents, teachers, and, therefore, the best learning practices.
What does it offer?
Waitzkin takes you on his life journey from childhood to maturity and shows you every practice he observed and learned. The book is primarily special by its practices that are unordinary in the majority of schooling systems and show you the perspective of highly effective and more natural absorption of information.
2. Drawing on the Right Side
of the Brain
The second title on your list is focused on a particular brain arena and, therefore, on a drawing. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain can be a confusing title for a book that goes beyond drawing and teaches you how to start using your probably less developed brain area.
I admit that all lessons are focused on drawing. However, the same principles can be spread to all areas which are based in your right hemisphere. Author Betty Edwards discovered these principles on her long draw teaching journey, and she developed great courses and books focused on students without rich drawing experiences and unconfident behavior in this area.
What does it offer?
First of all, this book will teach you to draw. Everything is explained slowly and precisely. If you start to read, you will get into a course that will systematically teach you not only how to draw. Nonetheless, also how to use the right side of your brain in all areas, and with this new perspective, you can learn many things quicker and become more creative.
3. Why We Sleep
Does this book fit into an article on creativity and the learning process? Of course, sleep is the most essential element for your state of mind, thinking, creativity, and learning processes. I do not exaggerate. The author himself says: “When sleep is abundant, minds flourish. When it is deficient, they don’t.”
Matthew Walker is a British scientist and professor of neuroscience focused on sleep research. On his long career journey, he found out many crucial things about sleeping, dreaming, and about processes taking place in the head while the body is unconscious.
What does it offer?
The book will help you fix your sleeping cycles and therefore open your rested mind and body potential. Why We Sleep also shows you the bitter truth about bad sleeping habits and what will result.
4. The Power of Now
This book could be controversial because many people, just like me, are not spiritually established. Despite that, I think The Power of Now has many benefits and knowledge which can be used by everyone.
The book is written by a german philosopher who takes you on the journey of the present moment and meditation. As many of you may know, meditations and a clear mind are very useful for resting and happy being. All these practices will help you develop effective habits, mindfulness, and joy of being.
What does it offer?
The book will guide you to mindfulness via meditations and awareness of the present tense. These practices can be used as effective rest during the day. However, also for long term mental problems and self-improvement.
5. The Art of Game Design
I know that The Art of Game Design seems like a particular book for a close audience, and I can choose from thousands of self-improvement books aiming at a broad population. Nonetheless, besides most other books not listed above, this title gave me more.
Jesse Schell, the author of the book, worked as the leading game designer in Walt Disney Imagineering for almost a decade, and he is a distinguished professor of the Practice of Entertainment Technology. Jesse significantly contributed to modern game development.
What does it offer?
The Art of Game Design will teach you how to gamify learning and creating processes and also show you how important and useful are prototypes of your projects. The book is long and slow to read. However, in the end, you will get many principles that can be used in everyday life.
Conclusion:
The book choices will always be very personal. Despite that, I believe our pick will help you unlock your potential and boost your creativity. In quick summary, I will write down,
What each of the books will help you with:
- The Art of Learning will show you how to effectively learn new skills
- Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain will unlock your right hemisphere, and therefore related activities like drawing
- Why We Sleep will tell you how to fix and set your sleeping habits for a healthy life
- The Power of Now will show you how to rest, meditate and help you with mindfulness
- The Art of Game Design will teach you how to gamify the creating process and show you the importance of prototyping