A lot of people ask me what books I recommend for multipotentialites who are getting started down the path of designing a life around their passions.
Puttylike is all about making multipotentiality work through lifestyle design and personal development principles. It’s a smoosh between those areas. But it’s the lifestyle design stuff — namely concepts around career, productivity, and confidence — that have taught me the most about how to integrate my many passions into my life.
As a result, my book suggestions tend to be on the lifestyle design side of the equation. It’s in part due to the fact that there just aren’t that many books written about multipotentiality, but it’s also because it’s the LD stuff that has really provided me with a road map for making this work.
If you’ve spent much time in the lifestyle design space, you’re going to recognize most of these titles. I’m really writing this list for those of you are new to these ideas. The following five books are foundational. You should have them under your belt, period.
1. The Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
4HWW is one of those “before and after” books. So many people I know can draw a line between how they lived before reading 4HWW and how they lived after reading it. That’s how it was for me. Reading this book changed everything and sent me down an incredible path.
What’s important about 4HWW, isn’t so much the specific techniques, like outsourcing or setting up an online business. What’s important is the mindset that it introduces you to, particularly the ideas about the deferred life plan and lifestyle design. One of the most valuable points that I got out of it was how there is far less competition for the amazing opportunities in life, than there is for the mediocre ones. Since everyone thinks that they don’t have a shot at the top opportunities, they don’t bother trying. Once you know this, it’s much easier to really go for what you want and not down-play your dream to the “practical,” more “easily-obtainable” version (because it’s not).
There’s a lot of controversy around 4HWW, and twice it has happened that someone has come up to me and said “I was going to read 4HWW like you suggested, but then my friend told me that it’s all about outsourcing to India…” (spoken in a negative, judgmental tone). In both cases, the friend that discouraged them hadn’t actually read the book themselves.
It’s very easy to put down ideas that disrupt the status quo, and some people feel very threatened by 4HWW. Opening yourself up to the ideas in this book means that you might learn that you are responsible for your current (unfulfilling) situation, since there’s something you can do to change it. It tends to be the people who make excuses and refuse to take responsibility for their happiness, that bash 4HWW without reading it.
My other sense is that when you’re ready for it, this book will find you and the voice of naysayers won’t deter you from reading it.
2. The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
Chris is a friend and a mentor. He’s been a huge an inspiration to me, and I often look to his business as a model in my own work. I love the way that his best marketing tactic seems to be kindness. I also love that he often publishes blog posts that are very pro-multipotentialte in nature.
AONC is the kind of book that I hope to write one day. My topic will be different of course, but the idea of describing my entire philosophy in one powerful, actionable book, sounds great.
Another thing. I’ve never told this to anybody, but when the book first came out, I was living in Denmark and feeling pretty lonely and isolated. I remember reading AONC and stumbling upon this one quote. It was a quote from the tv show Felicity. (Chris accredits it to Keri Russell, but I’m pretty sure it was J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves who wrote the Pilot episode. Anyway…)
The quote is: “Sometimes it’s the smallest decisions that can pretty much change your life forever.”
Good quote, but that’s not what got me.
The thing is, NOBODY QUOTES FELICITY. Nobody except me, that is.
To see this very significant part of my past here, in this new book, felt too strange. There was no question that it was a sign from the universe that I was on the right path– that I had magic in my hands.
And on that note, lets jump to book #3…
3. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
The Alchemist is a magical book. It’s fiction, but it’s not. It’s about your journey and your dreams. Just read it.
4. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The War of Art is a kick in the butt. It’s a short, powerful, brilliant book about Resistance and the internal struggle that every artist faces when sitting down to do their work. Even now, I often think about the principles that Steven Pressfield talks about– from “turning pro” to the fact that “the more important a call or action is to our soul’s evolution, the more Resistance we will feel toward pursuing it.”
This book has had a tremendous impact on my work habits. It’s helped me harness my hunger and hustle like a pro. I can’t even pick up The War of Art anymore, because within two minutes of reading it, I have to put it down and go work.
5. Do You by Russell Simmons
I don’t even know where to start. I didn’t know much about Russell Simmons before picking up his book, but now I’m a convert. The guy is a fully realized multipotentialite in the greatest sense. He’s an innovator. He has harnessed many of his passions– from music to fashion to meditation — and has used them all in service of bringing hip hop culture to the mainstream and spreading love.
Do You is a blast to read. It’s got a hip hop flavour to it, making it very different from most personal development books. But it’s deep. Simmons derives a lot of his principles for success from Yoga scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita. The concept from this book that has most changed my life, now hangs, framed, above my desk. It reads:
“You have control over doing your respective duty only, but no control or claim over the results. The fruits of work should never be your motive.” -Bhagavad Gita 2.47
This quote keeps me focused on what matters: doing my best work. That is all.
Bonus Multipotentialite Reads:
Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher
If you’re a multipotentialite, you have to read Barbara Sher’s “Refuse to Choose.” Period. She’s an incredible woman. So wise. And she’s really the grandmother of this Scanner stuff. This book covers the basics of being a multipotentialite. Definitely foundational reading for any Puttypeep.
The Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine
Another great book on being a multipod. Takes a slightly different spin than Refuse to Choose, but also really valuable for our community.
Anything by Tony Robbins
Nobody has had as profound of an impact on my confidence than Tony. I didn’t read his books though. I listened. Hearing him speak is every bit as inspiring as the words themselves. I have listened to every book and audio program I could get my hands on. I actually have “attend a Tony Robbins seminar” on my life list. I have no doubt that it’ll happen within the next two years.
Your Turn
What have been the most influential books to you, as a multipotentialite? Lets get a list of resources going in the comments.
Yay, I love posts like this!
Art of Non-Conformity changed my life. It’s what shook me up and got me reconsidering what I was doing before I came across Puttylike and the Puttytribe. I love it because there’s no room for excuses. It’s not complicated. You’re either doing it, or you’re not.
I read The Alchemist years ago and still have my copy. I remember really liking it but should probably revisit it. (I’m not a big rereader. So many new books…how can I spend time reading what I’ve already read?? And yet when I do, I really enjoy it.)
4HWW and The War of Art are on order at the library. Been waiting for others to finish with them so it’s my turn :) And Refuse to Choose, I’m working on now!
I always think it’s fascinating to hear what books made a big impact on people. Thanks for sharing your list!
Oh wow, you’ll enjoy those two! I’m sort of jealous that you haven’t read 4HWW. I wish I could go back and read it for the first time.
And yeah, I hear you on AONC. It really is that simple.
Great list! Here are a few books that have been important parts of my own journey:
1) Delaying the Real World, by Colleen Kinder. I read this book just as I was finishing my degree in Latin American Studies. This book totally opened my eyes to the enormous number of opportunities in the world, way beyond grad school and cubicles. In this book, I found the opportunity to teach English at a university in China. About three months after finishing my Latin American Studies degree, I was on a plane to China! A few years later, in China, I met Colleen Kinder, who was in Beijing writing a new book about Americans Abroad. This book, more than any other, got me started on my global multipotentialite journey.
2) Unpopular, by Erika Napoletano. I read this one recently. Her main message is all about being more like yourself, and focusing on serving the people that love you, not going for mainstream popularity.
3) Business Model You, by Tim Clark and others. I’m slightly obsessed with the Business Model Canvas, and the book Business Model You adjusts it into a powerful tool for recognizing and defining your own value. It provides space for multiple interests and roles, as well as a visual way to tie it all together.
4) The Right Brain Business Plan, by Jennifer Lee. I like how she combines business, art, and creativity, and makes business planning approachable and fun for those of us who hate to plan.
5) Let My People Go Surfing, by Yvon Chiunard, founder of Patagonia. He writes all about his love of rock climbing and surfing, and how these interests and values, rather than any obsession with making money, guided the development of his company. It made me want to buy more clothes from Patagonia :)
I could add lots more! So many good books out there.
Wow, these books all sound fantastic, Leslie. Thanks for sharing. More awesome stuff to add to my list.
The Art of Non-Conformity is the book that introduced me to the whole lifestyle design thing and all the blogs that go with it. I bought it along with loads of other books about working out what to do with your life and putting off the real world. I’d recommend it to anyone.
Before that, my Dad has always been a Tony Robbins fan and paid for me to go on one of his courses when I was 17. It was amazing but I didn’t take it all in as well as I’d have liked because I had no idea when I went what I was getting into. I’m always dipping in and out of his tapes and have shared them with lots of my friends. To anyone who is lacking motivation – search for Tony Robbins on YouTube and just the way he talks will get you all fired up!
Thanks for the other recommendations, Emilie.
Totally! Tony’s intense. I love his passion, but you definitely need to go there willingly. Heh.
Hey Emilie,
I started reading Herman Hesse’s “The Glass Bead Game” about a week ago and I think it would really resonate with many multipotentialites. Just this morning I read a section about how, in the future, a new order of intellectuals devote themselves to true freedom in thinking and life. They recognize that the regular professions (like engineering, law, medicine) are important but are not the path to genuine freedom that certain people actually want out of life. Because although you can make more money in these jobs (at least starting out), most people then choose to exchange their freedom for debt to fund a lifestyle they believe their peers would be impressed by. (This book was published back in 1943 and it was a key reason Hesse won the Nobel prize for literature).
And one other recommendation: “Walden” by Thoreau. Tim Ferriss also lists this book as a formative one in his thinking.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Erick! I’ve read Siddhartha, and liked it a lot. Thoreau is the “life of quiet desperation” guy, right? Heard a lot about that one too.
Oh perfect timing! I needed to find a new audio book to listen to while sloggin’ through my day job as I get closer and closer to financial freedom and throwing off the chains of my oppressors. Thanks Emilie!
Nice! Those selections should provide ample inspiration. Have fun.
Great list! I love Refuse to Choose, it had a hugely positive impact on my life at a time when I was feeling really frustrated and confused about what I was supposed to be doing with my life. And not a week goes by without my recommending 4HWW to someone. Now I think I’ll have to go check out The Art of Non-Comformity.
Ou have fun, Chloe! AONC is great. You’ll dig it. And I agree, Refuse to Choose is hugely validating for multipods.
The Element (by Ken Robinson) was a huge inspiration for me. It is related to his TED talk, but has more depth. Its about finding the point where inspiration and creativity and passion meet…and he’s pretty funny. I love that he is working towards bringing more creativity into schools, too.
Speaking of TED talks, Brene Brown’s book The Gifts of Imperfection was really inspiring to me as well. Learning to put yourself out there, trust in your process, and being vulnerable are all really important to a lot of creative (and life) work. I would really say this is one book that has changed the way I live my life. This book and her TED talk are constant reminders for me.
Also, as an introvert, I found Susan Cain’s book Quiet to be a huge comfort. She spends a lot of time talking about how introversion can be a benefit, and doesn’t necessarily hurt people’s chances in business. I loved her writing style as well. And, I just realized she ALSO has a TED talk…geez. Also, I listened to most of this as an audiobook, and it was great – so those looking for an audiobook…this could be it!
Chris’s AONC website was the first introduction I had to the idea of “lifestyle design” or deciding to do something outside of the traditional path…so his books and website will always get a shout out from me too!
I’m reading Brené Brown’s book now! After seeing her speak at WDS, I knew I needed more Brené in my life. Loving it so far. She’s such an incredible woman.
I also really like Susan Cain, though I haven’t read her book. But I was thinking that I might actually model her career a bit. Like, in the same way that she’s the poster child for introverts who are trying to live in an extrovert world, I’m sort of the poster child for multipotentialites trying to live in a specialist work. There are a lot of parallels.
Thanks for the suggestions, Kate.
I think Seth Godin’s Linchpin has some good things in it for multipotentialites. Also, I just finished The $100 Startup (which is awesome!), while we’re on the subject of Chris Guillebeau.
I’m half way through The $100 Startup, and would definitely recommend it too from what I’ve covered so far…
I wholeheartedly agree.
Love this thread building a bibliography.
Strongly recommend the book Secrets of a Buccaneer-Scholar: Self-Education and the Pursuit of Passion by James Marcus Bach – he was one of my “midwifes” for bringing my passions to life. Maybe prejudices against scanners are even stronger in Germany where I live and where credentials, certificates and degrees are immensely important. His contribution to empowering a “selfmade education” really helpes me a lot. And, of course, everything by Julia Cameron, esp. The artist’s way.
Thanks to everybody sharing their favs.
Wow, Bach’s book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the rec, Jacky.
I loved the $100 Startup and also 4HWW. Both have been incredibly inspiring to me. Also, the Big Leap has been a huge game changer for me. It helped me get past limiting beliefs and recognize when I had an “upper limit” issue going on. Thank you for all you do Emilie. Your site and advice are incredible.
Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity- Hugh MacLeod
More about art, than being a multipod. But still awesome stuff about art and any kind of pursuit.