My good friend, Mary Pudaite Keating, spoke highly of Seth Godin. Of course, The Practice: Shipping Creative Work promised yet another book to encourage my deflating writing spirits. I am much better at the practice of writing than that of shipping writing into the world. Still, this book offered encouragement and thought-provoking content.
The book has an unusual structure. Instead of chapters, it contains over 200 small sets of sentences, paragraphs, and blurbs of ideas. For example, he explains about Askida Ekmek, a practice in Turkey where a bakery patron can pay for an extra loaf to hang on a hook on the wall for a needy person who might enter the shop. I loved this interesting concept to present the idea that creativity nurtures self and should also nurture others.
Godin asks the provocative question: “If we failed, would it be worth the journey?” I guess I need to commit to the practice more fully and stop looking for the results, the reassurance that it is to some purpose. Focus on the journey. That is an arduous task. I probably fit more in his category: “Some people… need a recipe and want reassurance that the work they do will pay off. The practice requires you to seek out this experience of uncertainty.” Later, he says, “It’s selfish to hold back when there’s a chance you have something to offer.” I needed his gentle reminder, “Your work is never going to be good enough (for everyone). But it’s already good enough (for someone).” Godin ships his own creative work right into the minds and hearts of struggling artists filled with self-doubt. He has something to offer. We have something to offer.
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