Lessons in Creativity: Stories and Strategies to Cultivate Your Creative Confidence

by Ben Rennie

How do our everyday choices infuse our lives with purpose? What happens to the things we create, and how do they impact others? How does innovation influence our lives, our communities and the spaces we share?

Lessons in Creativity is a powerful exploration of what it means to be creative, offering readers a blend of personal stories, unexpected insights and inspirational takeaways. Australian designer Ben Rennie takes readers on a journey from working with world-leading brands, including Chanel, Luxottica and Gore-Tex, to the everyday moments that shape the imagination. In this book, you'll follow Ben as he explores the tangible, personal power of creative confidence.

We often underestimate the potential of our own creativity, believing it belongs to artists, writers or performers. But creativity is inherently human — it's about showing up with generosity and curiosity. Whether you're an accountant, a politician, a full-time parent or an engineer, creativity brings exciting thinking and purpose to life.

As the foundation of our work, relationships and lives, creativity brings meaning and fulfilment to everything we do. Lessons in Creativity reaffirms our role as the architect of our destiny, with the ability to form new habits, craft fresh stories and unlock unseen horizons. It reveals a philosophy for aligning your daily actions with your deepest aspirations and values, using your creative confidence as the engine for transformation.

The creative journey is a winding road marked by persistence and self-awareness. Creativity is not something we have or we don't; we learn and develop it through practice. In adopting this mindset, we open ourselves to a world of possibility, where each decision brings us closer to realising a potential. In this sense, creative problem-solving is not a gift but a skill.

If you're feeling stuck or disconnected, Lessons in Creativity will inspire you to show up, take that first step and re-engage your creative potential.

240 pages, Paperback

Published May 12, 2025

Reviews

[Jodie Tuckwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I absolutely adored this book!
I saw “creativity” in the title and thought it was going to be another book to inspire my art self … it was so much more.

The way Ben weaves his personal stories and insights keeps you pinned to the page. I loved the honesty, compassion & heartfelt ways he expressed his wins, losses, love and heartbreak…. Most of all his positivity!

It’s a must read for anyone who is building their life, career, business .. l have a copy for my 29 year old son and can’t wait for him to read it.

With quotes and learnings from many of my favourites including Brene Brown and Seth Godin, it instilled in me that we are all on the creative path and owe it to ourselves to keep learning from all we do. Utilising our unique talents to create change, inspiring more good outcomes for our families, and the world around us….. and that’s what Ben Rennie does.

Thanks so much Ben for putting yourself, and this wonderful book out there. Loved it!

[Megs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in basically one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it! There are so many adventures and roles one goes through in a lifetime and reading it was beyond beautiful and inspiring. It takes courage to hit the reset button. I am proud to be a Rennie. I obviously cried when I came upon parts about grandma, even Miff’s ski injury made me emotional. I can’t dance so it’s a Rennie thing 100%!

[Caleb Pipers · Rating 4 out of 5]

first half had me re-evaluating my life and looking deep into my thoughts, the second half i dnf maybe a mood reader but it lost me

[Grace Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this a lot. I found the concept of creativity comforting and enjoyed the storytelling in this book. It was funny and thought-provoking. Get it.

[David Stranger · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, loved this and had some fun reading it too.