The Book of Doing: Everyday Activities to Unlock Your Creativity and Joy [Paperback]

Allison Arden (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 3, 2012

When did you last take the time to do the things you loved as a child: crafts, games, getting your hands dirty? Or feel the same delight and wonder that you took from your favorite childhood activities?

Despite the joy we gained from these pursuits, in our adult lives, we've left them behind-they're too frivolous, we're too busy or too old, and there's too much "real" work to do. It's time to change this mind-set. It's time to rediscover the things you love to do, because they energize, center, and connect you with the world in a meaningful and positive way.

The Book of Doing offers a collection of ideas and activities that encourage you to use your life as a canvas and explore your creativity through everything you do-to create and make, to explore and experiment, to play and build, to paint and cook-to do. Go ahead. Roll up your sleeves and get to it. It's time to do the things that make you happiest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 "Get your creative juice's flowing with the 94 ideas in The Book of Doing."  
—Parents Magazine

 "(An) inspirational manual to unlocking creativity."
—Better Homes & Gardens

 "The first steps to turning your dream into reality." 
—Parade Magazine

 "If ideas are fuel for your business, here's a book to help fill up your tank." 
—Advertising Age

 "Pretty terrific guidelines for life in general."
—Simplify 101

"My newest dream book." 
—Crazed Mind

About the Author

Allison Arden is the publisher of Advertising Age, a trade magazine that showcases creativity and brand strategy for companies around the world. Her professional and personal paths have ignited her passion for creativity and its power to inspire joy in everything we do. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Scott; their children, Max and Maya; and their chocolate lab, Rosie. For more information, see www.bookofdoing.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1 edition (April 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399537341
• ISBN-13: 978-0399537349
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #31,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Indulge in your creative side! May 16, 2012

By ckbelair

Format:Paperback

How often have we heard, "Take time to indulge your creativity!" yet we are too busy to do so. Who has the time to slow down and lose yourself in a "project"? Well, this book shows you how. Just one creative step at a time, you rediscover a craft you loved as a child, or you embrace a brand new one. Allison Arden's hands-on workbook is full of specific, easy, doable steps that unlock your creative juices. I, for example, love to bake. I followed the author's grandmother's recipe for old-fashioned apple cake. Delicious! Another of the book's suggestions: read biographies of famous people. I just finished Mary Todd Lincoln's (something I'd been meaning to read for years) and now I'm reading the biography of the Marquis de Lafayette. There are nearly 200 pages of suggested activities --- from throwing a themed party to learning to play chess; from starting a book club to waking early to watch the sunrise; from adopting a holiday you've never celebrated to learning how to pickle something (recipe for pickled string beans included). And, while indulging in our favorite creative activities feels good and creates bliss, there's another HUGE benefit: those "good feelings" that result from doing what we love permeate the rest of our day. The creative juices make all the other parts of our day - work and play - more inspired, joyful, and productive. I appreciated the author's creativity in describing activities we can do alone, with friends, or with family, and I am happy to enthusiastically recommend this book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Doing is the new Reading May 24, 2012

By Ash

Format:Paperback

I recently saw Allison Arden speak at a conference and received a copy of her book. I have to say that both the speech and the book have had a huge impact on how I approach life both personally and professionally. Far too often we find ourselves seemingly doing everything while never stopping long enough to really do anything at all. The Book of Doing is the cure for that. It enables you to slow down, look at what is important in life and truly find your passion. In many cases, as with Allison not just find it, but rediscover it! Whether it is discovering the art of the Martini, pickling cucumbers or designing your own insignia, this book is full of small yet profound ideas that get your mind and your body thinking about things in a whole new light. By the way, I suggest the first activity you tackle is designing your own insignia. I did and it has unlocked powerful memories for me and has helped validate my leadership style and my life in general. This is the type of book that makes you a better leader, spouse, parent, friend and person.

I've given The Book of Doing to several people already and just bought 10 more for future gifts for friends, colleagues and perhaps even a few strangers. When I tell them that a book is in the mail for them, they inevitably ask, "What is the book about"? My response is, "It is not a book you read, it is a book you do." I suggest you get one yourself and start doing!

Kudos to Allison for changing her life and so many others.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeking creative breakthrough? Read a Page & Start "Doing"! April 15, 2012

By MTCarpenter

Format:Paperback

I recall a friend who bought more than two dozen self-help books in week but complained that not one of them gave her a "how-to", step-by-step action plan to enrich her life. Most of the books were text-heavy and either overly philosophical or filled with vague psychological catchphrases. Luckily, there is The Book of Doing! A book written plainly and designed to inspire action. Each page is a gem, offering a simple suggested activity that helps you to peel back the layers of your life to explore and evaluate yourself in more creative and innovative way. Upon receiving this book, I flipped it open to page 40, "Design Your Own Insignia" where the exercise asked to create a logo that represented me. I spent the next three days alone thinking about what's my mark on the world. In essence, it's a book that is not meant to be read and study but one that inspires action, new ideas and a renewed way of looking at life and yourself. This book is what self-help book should be! The author is authentic and sincere. She writes as if you're her friend and shares with you the activities that has enriched her own life. The book is not dense text; instead, its filled with visuals, illustrations and space for you to write your responses into the book.

Looking to re-invent yourself, stir up your creativity or gain encouragement to launch your ideas and dreams, then you NEED this book as a reference guide. As a writer myself, its a great tool for writer's block or those looking for a creative breakthrough. Plus, the price is just right! Don't hesitate in buying this book!