Coaching the Artist Within by Eric Maisel Summary
Overview of Coaching the Artist Within
Unlock your creative genius with Eric Maisel's revolutionary guide that transforms artistic blocks into breakthroughs. Endorsed as "required reading" by creative professionals, this psychological toolkit offers 12 practical skills that helped countless artists silence their inner critics and produce their most meaningful work ever.
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Key takeaways
Awakening the Creative Spirit Within You
Have you ever wondered what separates those who merely dream of creating from those who actually do? The difference isn't talent, luck, or even discipline - it's the ability to coach yourself through the inevitable challenges of creative work. Every artist faces internal barriers: the screenwriter who can't face her "serious" work, the musician who hates his recent songs, the aspiring novelist paralyzed by perfectionism. These creators aren't lacking ability but struggling with the psychological obstacles that block authentic expression. The journey to unlocking your creative potential begins with becoming your own compassionate ally - someone who notices your defensive maneuvers while motivating, congratulating, and occasionally challenging you. Without this inner coach, you remain "three-quarters blind," making anxiety-driven decisions rather than fulfilling your creative mission. Developing an effective inner coach requires mental distance - enough separation to positively influence yourself. Try the "Chatting with Yourself" exercise: position two chairs facing each other, one where you sit as yourself, the other where you become your "inner creativity coach." When in the coach's chair, ask probing questions with genuine curiosity about your creative blocks. The key is moving quickly between chairs to maintain momentum and avoid wallowing in negativity. Most people never achieve this level of self-awareness, choosing instead to soothe themselves with distractions while decades pass in a trance. These aren't cowards; they've survived divorces, raised children with disabilities, faced genuine hardships. Yet creative courage eludes them because they fear opening a frightening can of worms - their own personalities, the hard work of creating, the marketplace, and core issues of meaning.
Passionately Making Meaning and Purpose
Mastering Your Mind and Thinking Patterns
Generating and Managing Creative Energy
Creating in the Middle of Life's Chaos
Practical Strategies for Creative Action
Embracing the Creative Journey's Reality
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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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