Creative Zen: Find The Flow, Overcome Procrastination, and Live Your Most Fulfilling Creative Life

by Mark Chaney

209 pages, Hardcover

Published December 7, 2024

Reviews

[Akhil]

As a non-creative, I found this book very helpful. I do not really believe in Zen philosophy but I still enjoyed the book and the ways it helps open the mind. Though it is very self-spiritual, most of the nudges helped point me in the right direction.

It really helped me get in the right headspace. I found it useful not just for creative ventures but for anything related to procrastination, like work and boring tasks like filling out documents, etc. All in all, the author is very knowledgeable and it’s clear that he’s thought about this topic a lot.

[John Kamande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Creative Zen by Mark Chaney was indeed a moment to learn new things and also deal with some bad habits that I have had in the past. I think that procrastination is one of the major things that most people grapple with, I included. I love that Mark has provided some very simple and creative ways to deal with it. The author has really touched a lot on the mind and how we can have control of our thoughts. He emphasizes that the individual has power over their thoughts and not vice versa. There is a point in the book where the author talks about the importance of “Wasting time” which I found interesting. He says that it is okay to take some time off from your phone, work etc. and not do any work. This helps to create some space and create some flow which eventually leads to birthing of new creative ideas. I can say that I found this idea pretty awesome.
The writer also insists on the importance of taking deep breaths as it helps to release any tension in the body. In addition, Chaney says that the best time to start your creating journey is now! That it is okay to start with small steps and move on steadily. It is okay to feel discouraged along the way and even feel like giving up, but you just push yourself. This is because there is nothing wrong with imperfections. On the contrary, they make life interesting. Can you imagine a world that is free of imperfections? What a wonderful read for me as I begin this New Year. I can recommend the book to anyone who would like to kick start the year with some wise nuggets!

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Chaney's Creative Zen offers a refreshing perspective on overcoming creative blocks and fostering inspiration. The author emphasizes that creativity should flow naturally rather than be forced, advocating for a more relaxed approach to creative endeavors. Chaney draws on Zen principles and personal experiences to illustrate how to access a "flow state," where ideas can emerge effortlessly.

Each chapter concludes with practical methods aimed at helping readers initiate and complete their projects. This book is not only beneficial for seasoned creatives but also for anyone seeking to enhance their imaginative capabilities.

His emphasis on the importance of integrating creativity into daily life without sacrificing personal well-being is really a pratical advice. He advocates for a balanced approach, encouraging readers to avoid seclusion in their creative pursuits. Chaney suggests that engaging in enjoyable activities outside of work can enhance creativity, as living fully enriches the creative process.

He promotes the idea of using leisure as a reward for accomplishing tasks, which fosters motivation and flow. By recognizing that creativity thrives on life experiences, Chaney illustrates how maintaining a vibrant personal life can lead to more fulfilling and productive creative endeavors.

Overall, Creative Zen is an insightful guide that inspires readers to embrace their creativity without the pressure of perfection.

[Kibet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Chaney’s Creative Zen isn’t just another book on creativity, it’s like having a wise, calm friend who knows exactly when to nudge you forward and when to remind you to breathe. For book lovers who’ve ever wrestled with the paralyzing grip of procrastination or the gnawing voice of an inner critic, this book offers a balm and a roadmap.
What stands out most is its adaptability. Instead of rigid frameworks or prescriptive steps, Creative Zen provides flexible tools and insights that resonate no matter where you are in your creative journey. Chaney’s use of Zen principles as the foundation for his advice adds a layer of mindfulness and simplicity often missing from Western productivity focused creativity guides.
From a practical standpoint, the book excels in providing actionable ways to address common creative hurdles like perfectionism or burnout. Yet, it’s the emotional connection that hits home, it’s not about forcing creativity but gently coaxing it into flow.
The strength of Creative Zen lies in its balance, it combines philosophical depth with tangible strategies, making it feel timeless yet highly applicable. While some readers might wish for more depth in certain sections, the book’s strength is its ability to meet you where you are, whether you need motivation, clarity, or a creative reset.

[Sebastian Calderon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Chaney’s Creative Zen: Find The Flow, Overcome Procrastination, and Live Your Most Fulfilling Creative Life is a harmonious blend of mindfulness, practical strategies, and emotional guidance for anyone seeking to unlock their creative potential.

The book recognizes that we all have something we want to create, but we have trouble getting to work on it, or find the time or motivation to get started. Unlike many books on creativity, this book focuses on the motivational factor as a core component of achieving a natural flow of creative juices instead of a forced, grindy force.

My favorite chapters were “The Flow Just Is”, where it normalizes how some days you can simply start to work as normal and other days it will not flow as easily, but teaching how breathing can be used to achieve this flow much easier; and “Infinite Creativity”.

Through calming techniques like mindful breathing, motivational insights, and actionable exercises, Creative Zen tackles common creative hurdles like procrastination, self-doubt, perfectionism, and burnout. Chaney’s writing style is eloquent relatable, and calming.

Whether you’re looking to silence your inner critic, find focus, or simply reignite your creative spark, Creative Zen offers a nurturing roadmap to achieving flow and fulfillment.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go with the flow – the motivational factor of creativity

Author Mark Chaney introduces the quiet wonders of Zen in this superb guide to creativity. Meditation is at the heart of Zen, along with an emphasis on self-control and insight, and from these pages the calmness, acceptance, and mindfulness aspects of the Eastern philosophy are employed to nurture creativity. The key – flow! In using Zen principles, the author states, ‘when you’re flowing, originality flows through you, and life itself flows through you…When you’re flowing, you’re not even trying, you’re simply creating, simply flowing. It just happens because you’re allowing it to.’

In addition to explaining how to incorporate Zen into the creative process, steps such as mindful breathing exercises and motivational insights provide access to understanding and using the flow to find creative enlightenment. This is a gentle yet powerful book that affords entry into valuable creative experience – for all readers!

[Hannah Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid read. I appreciated its simplicity—it was very Zen in that way. The book was well thought out and executed, with sections of engagement that allow readers to stay right headspace for creativity and movement.

However, the simplicity created a tedium, at times, that had me losing interest. This book would be perfect for (self-described) non-creatives or people who want to be more diligent with their creative practice but have no experience in doing so.

Creative Zen is a fantastic book for beginner creatives and folks who want a simple and accessible guidebook to help them unlock more creative space within their mind in their daily lives.

[Bookcritic · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not particularly captivating, I found this book to be a useful tool. I struggle with living a life that seems fulfilling, and I think that this book gave me some good ideas on how to accomplish that. I’m not on the same page as the author as far as zen and spiritual stuff related to that, but nonetheless, it was a good, useful read.

I do think it’s going to be easier for some than others to just go with the “flow,” which the author talks about a lot. But he mentions taking small steps at a time tolet it happen, and if the reader pays close attention, then that should help them a lot. I think this would be particularly good for anyone stuck in a procrastination rut.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book extremely useful and sublime for two fundamental reasons; it is a guide that the reader can turn to for a variety of things and it is timeless so it is always on the rise.
Many times, we feel stuck in some activity we are doing; we don't find the right motivation and the self boycott begins. The author of this title did a wonderful job inviting readers to find options they might not have thought of.
It is worth mentioning that his vast experience based on Zen philosophy will help us to reflect and find peace to be able to finish any kind of project without feeling frustrated. I totally enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, we feel stuck and unmotivated, thinking that we will not be able to cope with the demands of our lives, but in this reading, readers will find the motivation they need. Author Chaney presents this inspiring book where he helps readers reach their potential and their creative side, encouraging them to be better and live fully.
Without a doubt, I loved this book. I think there should be more books like this one, where everyone's creativity is recognized and motivated. Furthermore, on each page, readers will find a push towards their creative spark, an invitation to improve day by day, and to finish everything they set out to do.

[Marina Lujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and felt completely relaxed and surrounded by peace. Thanks to Mark Chaney's eloquent and engrossing writing style, I was able to fully immerse myself in Zen philosophy and explore how it might promote creativity. I really appreciated the practical exercises the author included for bringing Zen into the creative process.

I think this book gave me the direction I needed when I was having self-doubt and feeling trapped in my creative process. I learned from the book how effective it might be to let things happen organically. I really think that everybody who wants to increase their creativity and generate fresh concepts ought to read it.

[Fanny Polchlopek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodbye to procrastination

Now, that I am retired, I have a lot of free time and although I sometimes have projects to do in my daily life, it tends to cost me. Well, this book has helped me a lot to find my center again and also to find new passions in new activities different from the ones that my work used to include. Now with these new passions, with the help of the book, I have understood how I can bring them to fruition, being honest with myself but also changing my mentality. The book helped me to reflect on new passions and new activities that I want to do and I am very grateful for that. Excellent.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book will become my go to whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, with assignments and deadlines at work and with the rest of responsibilities in my life gets tricky, as happens to most of us, so this book felt like a wise friend that knows how to give comfort and pause to breathe.
The book has a lot of advice in very different areas, but at the same time, they are all connected, but what is nice about this is that you can try to work through them one by one without feeling overwhelmed.
Great recommendation to family and friends, especially my aunt who is starting her own business.