The Art of Doing: A Guide to Getting Motivated, Getting Unstuck and Getting It Done

by Jesse Lipscombe

From the wildly popular speaker, how to embrace a life of curiosity, action and adventure while still mastering your to-do list

In 2004, Jesse Lipscombe was training for the Athens Olympics. An internationally top-ranked high jumper, his dreams of making the podium were shattered when he had a mini-stroke just five months before the Olympics. Jesse’s stroke was a turning point in his life and changed his entire outlook. Rather than a singular focus on achieving a goal like an Olympic medal, he began to focus on the “doing” – and a world of opportunity, wonder and happiness unfolded for him.

Lipscombe uses lessons from his life as an actor, speaker, writer, entrepreneur, pro-athlete and singer to craft a simple template that anyone can use to ensure they get out of the blocks and continue the momentum towards their dreams and goals. Lipscombe outlines tactics and strategies from passion, pursuit and productivity including how to win through losing, the macro to the micro planning strategy, and how to only do what you love or find a way to love what you do. Sensible, practical and inspiring, The Art of Doing will help you do any and everything you hope for. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2025

Reviews

[Erin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great listen. A great blend of memoir and inspiration. Loved getting to hear this author’s life experiences woven into some great tools and techniques for being your best self.

[Tom Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical, informative and well organized overall. I appreciated the focus on planning and doing to move beyond just dreaming.

[Paul Sutter]

Life does not always go the way we expect. There are definitely detours on the road of life, and how we get back on track is a testimony to our fortitude and determination. Jesse Lipscombe found that out in ways he never expected. He is an African-Canadian entrepreneur, who back in 2007 was training for the Beijing Olympics, with major hopes of winning medals there. He was an internationally rated high-jumper, but then suddenly he had a mini-stroke less than half a year before the Olympics were to start. It not only changed his aspirations but also altered the direction his life was about to take.
In his book THE ART OF DOING, Jesse shows that dreams do not end with one setback. He began to focus on “doing” as the title notes, and he has never looked back since. Lipscombe is a noted actor, who earlier had a massive claim to fame in the television series Children of the Dust, at age fourteen, as he starred alongside Sidney Poitier. He has gone to on to become an in-demand public speaker, motivating listeners through his philosophy of ways to achieve goals.
He tells us early on that this book is “for anyone who has ever dreamed of doing more, who believes that they were meant for bigger things, who has lost the fire, the drive and the hunger, who feels like time is running out…It’s for you, for me and for anyone who needs a little push to get to where they’ve always wanted to go.”
The story will resonate profoundly with individuals who see the negatives in situations rather than looking beyond them to the positives. The three sections in the book are geared to three P’s—“Passion, Pursuit, Productivity.” He talks about what saying “yes,” can do for you. He adds that we are accustomed to our routines and comfort zones, such that there isn’t time to say yes to something new. He also adds that what would happen if even for a day if you said yes to all the opportunities that came your way? Something so simple as saying yes can open doors that may never have been opened before.
Throughout the book he focuses on small habits and small gains that can reap dividends over time. The book is a total pick-me-up for those whose zest for life has decreased. He gives us reassurance that even the smallest of changes can offer us big rewards and help refocus on what matters most.

[Meaghan Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse’s book melds a memoir with self-help, bringing a refreshing take to the genre. It’s an entertaining read — what he’s done incredible things in his life — but it’s truly inspiring and makes “doing” feel attainable. It also highlights that it’s ok when things don’t work out, which is an important reminder to us all as we chase our goals. I finished the book feeling a renewed sense of motivation and excitement for my career pursuits. The tools at the end are a valuable asset to put everything into action, so it’s not a passive reading experience. If you’re feeling stuck, this is the book for you.

[Sid Collins · Rating 1 out of 5]

I went through the entire book and honestly, this isn’t what I’d call a self-help book. It reads much more like an autobiography, and not a particularly humble one. The author spends most of the time talking about himself rather than offering anything actionable or insightful.

The final chapter is where he finally starts giving “advice,” but even then, it’s all surface-level, generic ideas anyone who’s ever read a self-help book has already heard a hundred times. It feels like yet another case of a successful, wealthy person writing a motivational book to capitalize further on that success - not to genuinely help readers.

Save your time. There’s nothing new or valuable here.

[Barry W. Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse has a real knack for taking the impossible blocks we all face in our lives and careers, and putting under a new light. A light that breaks it down into bite size pieces that are doable and, dare I say, fun. A great read too, and he reads his own audio book which I highly recommend since you get to feel that infectious spark that gives you the confidence to take your self a little higher up the mountain. There's a lot of love in this book!

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. It had a lot of good tips in it but I would say that it was half self-help and half biography. There is no problem with that but if you are looking for a book that is strictly self-help with very few real-world examples, this isn't that kind of book.

I personally like when the author includes his own life experiences but I know others who like various real-world experiences.

Overall, a good read.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part-memoir, part work of inspiration, the Art of Doing is such a refreshing spin on the self-help genre. The Art of Doing isn't about making money, or about being a boss. It's about doing for the love of doing. It's about completing projects you've been putting off. It's about living your passions and in so doing, living a more meaningful life. Brilliant!

[Laura]

Nice overall! I’d highly recommend the audiobook, it was very engaging. It did feel long at times, and there were so many names mentioned that most people, I think, wouldn’t know, more context was required; and, none of the advice was particularly new or revolutionary. But, it was a fun read, and there were some ideas I liked, such as “practice makes permanent”.

[Rachael McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the sheer volume of “he did THAT!?” Moments is enough to make you want to get up and DO.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Self-help that brought nothing new to the genre

[Kait · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe a 1.5?

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

An ego trip in a book.