Not F*ing Around: The No Bullsh*t Guide for Getting Your Creative Dreams Off the Ground

by Jeff Leisawitz

We all know the feeling of being stuck in a creative rut. What we don't all know is how to get out of it. Jeff Leisawitz knows, and he’s not afraid to get vulgar about it.

Not F*ing Around is an inspirational guide to claiming your creative mojo and turning your ideas into art. With relentless positivity, unapologetic authenticity, and a stiff middle finger to the establishment, Leisawitz pulls back the curtain on the creative process and shows us that we are, indeed, capable of great things-- if we can stop f*ing around and make it happen.

It’s time to get off the couch and get on the path. It’s time to tap into the cosmic heartbeat that thumps in your chest and shines from your soul. It’s time to get NFA.

With humor, grace, and vulgarity, Not F*ing Around delivers the swift kick in the ass anyone who wants to make art needs, and reading this book is the first step to stop f*ing around and start making art that matters.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Personal Development, Self Help

50 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 9, 2016

About the author

Jeff Leisawitz brings the juice to the world through visionary workshops, captivating talks and the sublime power of the printed word.

As an award winning musician, internationally distributed filmmaker, photographer, writer, college professor, counselor and life coach, Jeff broadcasts authentic passion, heart-centered spirituality, and deep wisdom with every breath.

Beaming with insights, vision and a lifetime of experience, Jeff’s steel-tipped boot is sure to get your dreams amped up and rocketing in the right direction.

Reviews

[Anovelqueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really tried hard to find something positive about this book, but I just couldn't. Over the years I have read countless self help books and I always find something I can take away, but unfortunately not with this book. The advice was generic. Example "Your life is always the result of your choices." Each page consists of a few sentences at the top of the page and a cartoon illustration at the bottom. Has an amateurish feel, but that may be because this is the author's first book. Some punctuation errors noted, like periods in the middle of a sentence. Maybe this is a generational gap and this may appeal to someone a little younger than 40. I will give the author some credit for writing a book. I can imagine that takes time and effort.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, sharp, kick up the arse for creatives who are just about ready to fly the nest and need a nudge in the right direction. It was exactly what I needed to read and exactly when I needed to read it.

For all the bravado of the title, Not F*ing Around isn't judgmental or preachy. The advice is familiar but its tone is friendly and encouraging. I came away from it feeling inspired. Like I'd just had a creative coaching session with a like-minded friend who had totally got my back.

The book is essay length, so you can read it in one sitting, with large print and lots of illustrations. As someone who used to teach creative writing to gifted kids I could see it being especially inspiring to young people.

Sometimes all you need is a push.

Like Guillaume Apollinaire said:

“Come to the edge," he said.
"We can't, we're afraid!" they responded.
"Come to the edge," he said.
"We can't, We will fall!" they responded.
"Come to the edge," he said.
And so they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.”

[Jen from Quebec :0) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad, not amazing, just meh. Saw it for just 2 bucks on Audible, and thought why not give it a try- I like a little 'self help motivation' now and then.

I'm bummed though, because I guess that the actual BOOK version has great illustrations, which aren't included with the audio via a PDF download or anything.

Also- be forewarned- this is a novella, not a full length book- it is only a 56 minute listen! 56 mins! (To compare, an average Stephen King novel for example, usually runs about 20 HOURS.)

So, yeah, in conclusion? I'm glad it was only 2 bucks! BUT to be fair, it was an easily accessible little piece of kick-yer-own-ass-into-gear motivational tool, and the short duration will actually make it easier to get more replay value from this title --Jen from Quebec :0)

[Schizanthus Nerd · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book in a nutshell? Stop dreaming and start doing.

If you want the experience of having gone to see a motivational speaker while sitting on the lounge in your pyjamas, then this book may be what you're looking for. It read to me like a motivational speaker's speech that basically went along the lines of 'if you can dream it then you can do it' along with other clichés and plenty of anecdotes.

What you'll get from this book is common sense advice to move you from thinking about it to doing it, whatever your creative 'it' may be. I didn't read anything revolutionary but it was a quick read. If you feel the need to read something positive to get your butt into gear, try this book. More power to you.

My favourite sentence: "The more people who align their lives with love, passion and action, the better this world becomes for everyone."

Biggest annoyance of the book? Following a statement about how we're all on our own hero's journey and an anecdote about Luke Skywalker saving a planet with a suggestion for how you can step up your own hero game ... by fixing the photocopier again even though you didn't break it ... Really?

At times I felt like I was sitting around a campfire listening to a guy in a tie dye shirt chilling out and telling me, "The Universe will guide you towards your highest good" and that my inner critic is a "snotball" (actual quotes).

This book wasn't for me and if I hadn't committed myself to reviewing it I wouldn't have made it past the first 20%, but just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean you won't get something from it that launches you into creative overdrive.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley (thank you very much to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for the opportunity) in exchange for honest feedback.

[Akshata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having gone through a soul searching process last year (if I wanted to keep my current line of work or give it all up and move to something creative), I could relate to a lot of things in the book, and found myself nodding along in MANY places. Refreshingly conversational and humurous, it was a relief to laugh at many places, took the pressure off the deep subject. The author did not gloat over his life experiences, but brought it out in subtle examples sprinkled here and there. Although it is not a "kick in the pants" that someone who is going through this process would need, I'd call it a handbook for times when inspiration is low, and a couple of hours with it will probably bring the confidence back. (Disclaimer: pre-publication reader).

[Jenny Houle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an unbiased opinion.

Ack. I was hoping the use of "F*ing" was a cover only thing, so that it wasn't offensive on store shelves. Realistically, I find it particularly hard to follow advice from anyone who writes "f*ing" and "bullsh*t" and the like, and that's done throughout the book.

Also, so much of the book was pretty basic self help stuff. Why spend your money on something you can read in 30 minutes you already know when it's not even really being explained in a creative new way? If there was some unique way the information was being presented here, I'd be all for it...because we all need to find that one way that finally makes the pieces click together...but I didn't find it in this book.

Can I have my 30 minutes back, please?

[Bart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've talked with Jeff online in a seminar related to the topic of this book. Here's the challenge, and the reason why I'm reluctantly giving the book three stars: No one can motivate you to do great things if you're not ready. That's where I am and why I took the class and read the book: to poke at myself to do something useful with my free time. I'm not there yet, but I will be eventually. If you think you're ready but not quite sure, pick up books. Jeff just might give you the kick in the arse you need to go off and do great things. Meanwhile, I have some self-kicking to do.

[Michele Solano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whelp, I’m awake now!!!!

As someone who has spent the last year focusing on self growth, and looking for inspiration to get out of my own way to make my creative dreams come true, this book was just what I needed! A slap you in the face, drench you with ice water, sound the alarm, blow your mind wake up call we all need. Great read. Fun cartoons. Witty truth (my favorite kind). Ya gotta read this book!

[Silke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I'd buy this as a book.
All the advise in there makes sense. The illustrations are well placed and greatly designed.
But I'm not sure if it works in book form. I think it would be much better if this advise was given in person. It would make a great TED talk but a book....I wasn't convinced.

[Thomas Myers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sounds epic, but it is merely vapid.

[K.M. Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a super quick and easy-to-read guide that is full of inspiring tips and mottos about going for your dreams and pushing aside self-doubt to get there. While there's nothing ground-breaking amongst the advice, it is delivered in a humorous, frank way that provides a lift to any creative person having a hard day and wondering if the pursuit of art is worth it.

[Goth Gone Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review.

This is a distillation of various other self-help and basic psychology books, with a touch of improv advice. (Yes and _____ - one of my absolute favorite ways to improve your life, explanation within the book.) It's a quick read, sound advice with cute illustrations. Further explanations may be helpful, but I'm also used to reading heavier psychology books than this one.

The formatting made me a little crazy. It's a few sentences per page, with random bold or larger font for emphasis that looks like random yelling out of excitement for such great advice. It works with pages with an illustration, but not as much for pages with just a few sentences and the rest is blank.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring read for anyone looking to get serious about an artistic "hobby". Whether it be painting, playing guitar, or novel writing, this book will help you see if your hobby could be more, and a offers a checklist of attitudes it will take to turn it into a real job. Read this when you're tired of just TALKING about opening an etsy shop for your art (or finally writing that novel, selling that screenplay, playing at open mic night) and you're ready to start not f*ing around.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun easy read. No rules just common sense suggestions. Not new, but also not lived out by most of us including me.