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How Creativity Rules the World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas into Gold
Axiom Business Book Award Winner in Entrepreneurship Category Learn to make creativity work for your career. Anyone, regardless of who you are or what you do, can cultivate the habits, actions, and attitudes that inspire creativity and innovation. There has never been a more crucial time than now to develop your creativity and your ability to innovate. Coming up with original ideas of value is today’s most precious skill. How Creativity Rules the World shows that, despite contrary beliefs, creativity can be taught and learned by anyone. Creativity is an inexhaustible resource that is the key to thriving in the business world and beyond. This timeless guide promises to make the creative process of successful seven-figure artists and billion-dollar entrepreneurs—as well as Maria’s own—accessible and actionable for you to take the power of their ideas to the next level. In How Creativity Rules the World , you will learn how With revealing studies and stories spanning business and art, this book is a deep dive into history, culture, psychology, science, and entrepreneurship; analyzing the elements used by some of the most creative minds today and throughout the last 600 years. Contemporary art curator and founder of The Groove , Maria Brito discovered the power of creativity when she transitioned from being an unhappy Harvard-trained corporate lawyer to a thriving entrepreneur and innovator in the art world. After applying the principles in How Creativity Rules the World to her own business, Maria started teaching them to hundreds of people, ranging from entrepreneurs to artists to CEOs. Proven by her students’ creative successes, Maria will guide you to strike gold with your ideas as well.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2022
86 people are currently reading
4966 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 1, 2022
I'd confidently expected that I'd love How Creativity Rules the World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas into Gold, indeed I'm right in the target audience for the book. Sadly, however, it didn't meet my expectations as I felt any cohesive practical message became muddied by the copious autobiographical content. It's one of those books that doesn't accurately match its marketing and blurb.
The book was redeemed by a couple of genuinely interesting chapters, and by several well-chosen illustrative vignettes from the history of (mostly Western) Art and entrepreneurship.
The book was redeemed by a couple of genuinely interesting chapters, and by several well-chosen illustrative vignettes from the history of (mostly Western) Art and entrepreneurship.
February 2, 2022
Where to begin. I guess first it's important to note that this book is about creative entrepreneurship and the creative process. It isn't a manual to get unblocked (see The Artist's Way for that), although there are a few good suggestions for what to do when you do feel blocked. The primary focus, though is on developing a career that depends on creative thinking.
I was leery of the beginning of the introduction, which dives in with the stock generalizations about people not believing they can be creative, which I thought we'd grown past as a society? IDK. But then Brito turns left into an amazing story about her grandfather in Venezuela that grabbed both my attention and my emotional investment, and boom! Didn't want to put it down.
I took notes, friends. I rarely ever take notes on books like this, but maybe I really should.
Another important point is Brito's background is adjacent to painters and art history, rather than creative writing or other fine arts, so the vast number of examples she draws on are of painters and sculptors, mostly European, and may or may not transfer well to other types of artistic business ventures...or ordinary business ventures that require creative problem solving and/or artistic sensibility. She does make a strong case for consuming art, and especially learning to carefully observe its fine details, as a means to increase one's creative problem solving skills. I hadn't known examining paintings was a required medical school course (to draw conclusions based on infinitesimal detail) but it absolutely makes sense.
I feel more validated in filling my Instagram with art, archaeology, and cats, rather than celebrity influencers. It has been feeding my brain in exactly the way Brito recommends people nourish themselves with museum and gallery visits (in person or virtual: you can see the Met and the Louvre's collections online, after all).
I did not (yet) do the "alchemy lab" workshop questions at the end of each chapter because I'm traveling and don't have the quiet time to devote to them, but they seem extremely well-directed for manifesting ideas, implementing business plans, and recovering from failures.
She says, "Failing is hitting the creative limit of an idea," or something to that effect, which is not a way I've ever seen failure framed before. It's fascinating to recast failure as a thing that happens to an idea rather than to a person. Srsly, mind blown.
I would have liked to see this book delve into other art forms, especially writing fiction and film-making, tbh. I'm also not sure how the magical networking connections that allow artists to become working artists happen. Networking is hell, basically, and also a mystery to me. I realize that How-to-Network is its own book, but it does seem like there would have been room for it here, because as much as creative art can happen in a vacuum, getting it out of the studio and into other people's eyeballs is a crucial step.
ARC
I was leery of the beginning of the introduction, which dives in with the stock generalizations about people not believing they can be creative, which I thought we'd grown past as a society? IDK. But then Brito turns left into an amazing story about her grandfather in Venezuela that grabbed both my attention and my emotional investment, and boom! Didn't want to put it down.
I took notes, friends. I rarely ever take notes on books like this, but maybe I really should.
Another important point is Brito's background is adjacent to painters and art history, rather than creative writing or other fine arts, so the vast number of examples she draws on are of painters and sculptors, mostly European, and may or may not transfer well to other types of artistic business ventures...or ordinary business ventures that require creative problem solving and/or artistic sensibility. She does make a strong case for consuming art, and especially learning to carefully observe its fine details, as a means to increase one's creative problem solving skills. I hadn't known examining paintings was a required medical school course (to draw conclusions based on infinitesimal detail) but it absolutely makes sense.
I feel more validated in filling my Instagram with art, archaeology, and cats, rather than celebrity influencers. It has been feeding my brain in exactly the way Brito recommends people nourish themselves with museum and gallery visits (in person or virtual: you can see the Met and the Louvre's collections online, after all).
I did not (yet) do the "alchemy lab" workshop questions at the end of each chapter because I'm traveling and don't have the quiet time to devote to them, but they seem extremely well-directed for manifesting ideas, implementing business plans, and recovering from failures.
She says, "Failing is hitting the creative limit of an idea," or something to that effect, which is not a way I've ever seen failure framed before. It's fascinating to recast failure as a thing that happens to an idea rather than to a person. Srsly, mind blown.
I would have liked to see this book delve into other art forms, especially writing fiction and film-making, tbh. I'm also not sure how the magical networking connections that allow artists to become working artists happen. Networking is hell, basically, and also a mystery to me. I realize that How-to-Network is its own book, but it does seem like there would have been room for it here, because as much as creative art can happen in a vacuum, getting it out of the studio and into other people's eyeballs is a crucial step.
ARC
March 1, 2022
If you’re like me, you maybe once thought that creativity is an inherent trait in people. Some people have it, some don’t. But that isn’t true, and Maria Brito is here to prove it to you. Anyone can learn to be more creative! It just takes practice and a reset of the mind.
I’ve worked with Maria for many years (and full disclosure, I did get to read this book in advance), so I know firsthand how incredible she is at pivoting her career when something isn’t working, or how she’s not afraid to take risks and try new things. It’s inspiring, really. Maria is an expert when it comes to the art world and the business world, and the marriage of the two = a winning formula on how to make it in any field.
My favorite thing about this book, other than the real-life examples from artists and entrepreneurs on specific skills and habits to cultivate creativity, is the “Alchemy Lab” at the end of each chapter. These are actionable, concrete steps to make each habit in this book a reality. I’ve done a few of them and can attest to their effectiveness.
This really is the perfect book for the era we’re in now - people are in a rut, quitting their jobs, realizing how meaningless life is if you’re not doing something you love. This book will encourage you to make that next leap in life, and show you how to do it in a way that’s not so scary.
Creative people really do rule the world. But anyone can be creative.
I’ve worked with Maria for many years (and full disclosure, I did get to read this book in advance), so I know firsthand how incredible she is at pivoting her career when something isn’t working, or how she’s not afraid to take risks and try new things. It’s inspiring, really. Maria is an expert when it comes to the art world and the business world, and the marriage of the two = a winning formula on how to make it in any field.
My favorite thing about this book, other than the real-life examples from artists and entrepreneurs on specific skills and habits to cultivate creativity, is the “Alchemy Lab” at the end of each chapter. These are actionable, concrete steps to make each habit in this book a reality. I’ve done a few of them and can attest to their effectiveness.
This really is the perfect book for the era we’re in now - people are in a rut, quitting their jobs, realizing how meaningless life is if you’re not doing something you love. This book will encourage you to make that next leap in life, and show you how to do it in a way that’s not so scary.
Creative people really do rule the world. But anyone can be creative.
March 1, 2022
Less a dive into how creativity actually rules the world but more anecdotal pieces on the history of visual artists throughout history, mostly European based. I had strong hopes for this as a very creative individual, but I felt genuinely tired the entire time and felt like I wanted to rush through to the end since I couldn't gain anything out of it. The beginning had a strong grab but then falls flat and tiring, which is the opposite of what you want for a book that focuses on creativity. I'm sure some people would love this book, particularly painters or other visual artists, but unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
January 3, 2024
Legitimately the best book I have read in months. Thank you Aaron! 🎄
February 20, 2022
3.8 ⭐
Encontré lo que busca en este libro y más...
Me ha gustado mucho la forma en la que la autora nos va mostrando cómo la creatividad está presente en cada uno de los ámbitos de la vida y está al alcance de todos.
Sin duda mis partes favoritas fueron los "alchemist labs" para poner en práctica los ejercicios propuestos.
Creo que a lo único que le pondría pero es que cuando habla de ciertas obras en específico me hubiera gustado verlas en el libro y no tener que ir a buscarlas.
Encontré lo que busca en este libro y más...
Me ha gustado mucho la forma en la que la autora nos va mostrando cómo la creatividad está presente en cada uno de los ámbitos de la vida y está al alcance de todos.
Sin duda mis partes favoritas fueron los "alchemist labs" para poner en práctica los ejercicios propuestos.
Creo que a lo único que le pondría pero es que cuando habla de ciertas obras en específico me hubiera gustado verlas en el libro y no tener que ir a buscarlas.
January 26, 2022
I love it when a book title not only delivers on its promise - but overdelivers. Brito has written a masterclass on developing and harnessing one's creativity. Rooted in visual art examples, she provides interesting personal stories and historical case studies on the ways creativity has influenced social and cultural change; dispels myths about creativity; and outlines a blueprint for building habits and flexing your own creative muscles to inform any endeavor. Her law background shines through as she makes her case with colorful context for the examples she provides, and her closing argument ties together the creative lessons while laying the groundwork for each of us to play a role in inventing the future. Highly recommended for those seeking insight into how creativity works, how it can influence, and inspiration for expressing more creativity in your own life and work.
I received a digital pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2022
It is not easy to define a book as "inspiring", but that is exactly what Maria Brito did with "How Creativity Rules the World"! As a young artist who is finding his creative voice and trying to pursue a career in filmmaking, the examples that Brito brings forth to illustrate how creativity is something you learn, and not something you inherently have, is highly motivational for artists and every other individual. The book works great as a motivational read, but it also delivers a very compelling and straightforward look at art through various ages and countries. Well worth a read, a revelatory book that is bound to inspire those that read it!
January 16, 2022
We are creative creatures even when we think opposite. Creativity is a part of human nature and this book helps to explore, develop and improve creativity levels by providing a great structure and set of actions items that can be used to spark creativity level in all of us. There are a lot of interesting examples on creative ideas and projects and I liked a lot that every chapter has a short summary of things to do, reflect on and take action. Valuable book overall that will help to follow your guts and help to see innovation in opportunities around you.
July 10, 2022
I'm not sure what I expected when I got my early reviewers copy of this book. I truly wanted to love it as I read a lot on creativity, writing, etc, but this one just didn't land for me.
This may be a little harsh, but it felt like the RC Cola version of Artist's Way. I didn't feel inspired by many of the "Alchemy Lab" exercises, nor did I feel like the author gave enough context on many of the figures she mentioned to really get me that interested in any of them that I wasn't already familiar with.
This may be a little harsh, but it felt like the RC Cola version of Artist's Way. I didn't feel inspired by many of the "Alchemy Lab" exercises, nor did I feel like the author gave enough context on many of the figures she mentioned to really get me that interested in any of them that I wasn't already familiar with.
March 11, 2022
I loved this book! The title and cover really spoke to me and I'm happy to report that those elements, along with the synopsis, all held true in delivering a thought-provoking yet fun read! We are all creative beings, it's part of who we are as humans. We were born to innovate, make, create, brainstorm, improve and build. I loved the examples that this book offered and flew through this book as a result. Highly recommend! :)
February 25, 2022
It was an interesting book though I didn’t enjoy this as much as I hoped I would. However, I can see how many may like it hence why it gets a 3 star rating from me.
June 24, 2025
Could have been an email.
April 23, 2022
Love loved what she had to say about creativity and found this an awesome art history resource. Fabulous summary of creativity’s power thru the centuries. I did grow tired of her personal examples — yes I realize she is hugely successful and pulled off some amazing things, but those parts became just a bit too self-congratulatory for me.
December 9, 2025
I think what disappointed me the most about this book is the author’s unspoken belief in the fact that success, and therefore happiness, is only achieved when the work of a creative person makes an absolute ton of money. Ugh, what a letdown. It gets two stars for illuminating a lot of different and diverse artists, but ironically seems to lack creativity in its approach to identifying the different ways that people can be creative, instead sticking to the author’s wheelhouse of visual artists (with an occasional billionaire tech guy thrown in, and using those guys as examples never ages well). A missed opportunity to inspire and appreciate.
Want to read
April 19, 2022Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. Sadly this was a DNF for me. I appreciate the entrepreneurial information offered however for me personally, it wasn’t necessarily practical at the moment. This isn’t to say it was a bad book, it’s just not something I need right now.
March 29, 2022
I won’t deny that the writing style of this book is of high quality and it left me with a feeling that Maria Brito has a solid future in the creative industry. The book’s introduction got me hooked on discovering more about creativity, and I was very eager to finish the brilliant work that is the “Introduction” and get to the actual content of the book!
In the first chapter, Maria Brito starts by building a bridge between herself and the world of creativity, and instead of keeps this tangling of wires going through the rest of the book. Although it didn’t seem too bad at first, it soon started being a bit too much, since this is expected to be a work of non-fiction. While I do appreciate that embedding personal stories helps with a narrative, there comes a point where the two wires must separate and, to my displeasure, I didn’t see that happening, which ultimately led to my reading experience not raising up to the expectations. Also, somewhere along page 50, I decided to drop the idea of classifying the book “non-fiction” and replace it with “biographical” with a tendency of general culture instead since this is how I perceive that the narrative was heading towards.
One thing I did appreciate was the myth-debunking approach from the first chapter, where Maria Brito took 7 of the most common creativity misconceptions and once again through very persuasive/creative writing showed that they are indeed myths. This, combined with snippets of history makes the reading so enjoyable!
The last aspect that I want to highlight are the “Alchemy Lab” section notes which I found really good practice work for getting one’s creative mindset going. I highly recommend!
Special thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Leadership, and the author for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC, and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!
#LifeLongLearning #HowCreativityRulestheWorld #NetGalley
In the first chapter, Maria Brito starts by building a bridge between herself and the world of creativity, and instead of keeps this tangling of wires going through the rest of the book. Although it didn’t seem too bad at first, it soon started being a bit too much, since this is expected to be a work of non-fiction. While I do appreciate that embedding personal stories helps with a narrative, there comes a point where the two wires must separate and, to my displeasure, I didn’t see that happening, which ultimately led to my reading experience not raising up to the expectations. Also, somewhere along page 50, I decided to drop the idea of classifying the book “non-fiction” and replace it with “biographical” with a tendency of general culture instead since this is how I perceive that the narrative was heading towards.
One thing I did appreciate was the myth-debunking approach from the first chapter, where Maria Brito took 7 of the most common creativity misconceptions and once again through very persuasive/creative writing showed that they are indeed myths. This, combined with snippets of history makes the reading so enjoyable!
The last aspect that I want to highlight are the “Alchemy Lab” section notes which I found really good practice work for getting one’s creative mindset going. I highly recommend!
Special thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Leadership, and the author for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC, and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!
#LifeLongLearning #HowCreativityRulestheWorld #NetGalley
March 15, 2022
An engaging book that is based on a course Brito teaches on fostering creativity. The chapters are brimming with stories about artists and entrepreneurs, how they pushed their creativity forward and overcame obstacles. These stories, coupled with Brito's reflections on her own professional endeavors, bring tremendous energy and inspiration. Each chapter ends with an "Alchemy Lab" section containing several prompts/exercises to encourage creative thinking. These sections may be the best parts of the book.
However, I felt the book lacked the focus of The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity or Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. I enjoyed it but I wanted more synthesis of the abundant biographical anecdotes - something to tie all of the pieces together and leave me with a memorable takeaway. I think part of the issue is that I am neither a visual artist nor an entrepreneur (though I am a writer), and it didn't feel like this book was for me. I did glean some ideas and inspiration from it, but I'm not convinced this is a book for "anyone," as it claims to be. I think the audience is narrower.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of #GoodreadsGiveaway
However, I felt the book lacked the focus of The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity or Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. I enjoyed it but I wanted more synthesis of the abundant biographical anecdotes - something to tie all of the pieces together and leave me with a memorable takeaway. I think part of the issue is that I am neither a visual artist nor an entrepreneur (though I am a writer), and it didn't feel like this book was for me. I did glean some ideas and inspiration from it, but I'm not convinced this is a book for "anyone," as it claims to be. I think the audience is narrower.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of #GoodreadsGiveaway
June 27, 2022
*A review copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book inspired me to finally start on the creative projects I’ve been dreaming of (and putting off) for months.
How Creativity Rules the World was inspired by Maria Brito’s grandfather who despite being kidnapped, led a life full of creativity, curiosity, and joy. He inspired Maria to explore her creativity, which led to her switching careers at 33. From her ‘dark ages’ of working as an attorney to becoming an art curator, travelling to multiple art shows a week and demystifying contemporary art for everyone, Maria Brito also conducts classes on creativity.
Maria Brito breaks down the aspects of creativity: its myths, habits required to cultivate creativity, how to start your creative cogs and how to maximise it to its fullest potential. It is written in short chapters, each drawing from real-life examples from the habits and successes of famous individuals and the author’s experiences. Enough for a bite-size bit of knowledge and more time to digest. I appreciate the examples in the book, it is relevant, ambitious, and inspiring. Without them, I wouldn’t have known about the Sleep No More experience in The McKittrick Hotel (now on my bucket list), Monet's Water Lilies in Musee de L’Orangerie and other fun Google Searches of things I wouldn’t be able to enjoy. It’s truly a book for general knowledge enthusiasts as well as people who want to learn ways to reframe their thinking.
At the end of every chapter is Maria Brito’s alchemy lab where she writes a few tasks and takeaways from the chapter for readers to practice their creativity. It covers deep reflection on understanding your skills, visualising your goals, establishing confidence, exploring museums, and more actionable tasks that slowly change how you understand creativity.
I think that developing creativity takes time and dedication, and this is a book that works well to point you in the right direction. I'd recommend for you to read it, no matter your field, age or hobbies, you’ll find some knowledge to look at the world around you with a new sense of curiosity.
This book inspired me to finally start on the creative projects I’ve been dreaming of (and putting off) for months.
How Creativity Rules the World was inspired by Maria Brito’s grandfather who despite being kidnapped, led a life full of creativity, curiosity, and joy. He inspired Maria to explore her creativity, which led to her switching careers at 33. From her ‘dark ages’ of working as an attorney to becoming an art curator, travelling to multiple art shows a week and demystifying contemporary art for everyone, Maria Brito also conducts classes on creativity.
Maria Brito breaks down the aspects of creativity: its myths, habits required to cultivate creativity, how to start your creative cogs and how to maximise it to its fullest potential. It is written in short chapters, each drawing from real-life examples from the habits and successes of famous individuals and the author’s experiences. Enough for a bite-size bit of knowledge and more time to digest. I appreciate the examples in the book, it is relevant, ambitious, and inspiring. Without them, I wouldn’t have known about the Sleep No More experience in The McKittrick Hotel (now on my bucket list), Monet's Water Lilies in Musee de L’Orangerie and other fun Google Searches of things I wouldn’t be able to enjoy. It’s truly a book for general knowledge enthusiasts as well as people who want to learn ways to reframe their thinking.
At the end of every chapter is Maria Brito’s alchemy lab where she writes a few tasks and takeaways from the chapter for readers to practice their creativity. It covers deep reflection on understanding your skills, visualising your goals, establishing confidence, exploring museums, and more actionable tasks that slowly change how you understand creativity.
I think that developing creativity takes time and dedication, and this is a book that works well to point you in the right direction. I'd recommend for you to read it, no matter your field, age or hobbies, you’ll find some knowledge to look at the world around you with a new sense of curiosity.
March 5, 2022
I really enjoy reading about creativity from a variety of creators, because I think it’s fascinating to see where those individuals pull their creativity from and how they have harnessed it to make amazing things. When I saw this one available as an advanced reader copy, I was excited to dive in!
Some things I loved:
⚡️ The book addressed many of the common misconceptions people have about creativity, as well as sharing a variety of stories about past creatives and the results of scientific studies done on the topic.
⚡️ The “a day in the life” descriptions of modern and past artists that show how important hard work and structure are when it comes to allowing creativity to flow.
⚡️ Most of the chapters have a section with specific and practical actions one can take to work on a specific area of unlocking creativity, and these are really helpful for self-reflection, self-awareness, and getting creative juices flowing.
Some things I didn’t love:
⚡️ Right from the get go, the book talks about the monetary value of creativity. I can appreciate creativity from an entrepreneurial perspective, but this is a theme that was brought up several times. I didn’t need to see the progression from an idea to its eventual dollar amount or net worth, and those little facts kind of cheapened the value of creativity to me a bit. (Maybe this is more on me, since the cover addresses turning creative ideas into gold. I just felt like was too much of the focus.)
I feel like this book has really useful information, and I got a bit out of it, but I don’t think I was the target demographic for this one. If you’re someone looking at connections between creativity and entrepreneurship, this is the book for you!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Some things I loved:
⚡️ The book addressed many of the common misconceptions people have about creativity, as well as sharing a variety of stories about past creatives and the results of scientific studies done on the topic.
⚡️ The “a day in the life” descriptions of modern and past artists that show how important hard work and structure are when it comes to allowing creativity to flow.
⚡️ Most of the chapters have a section with specific and practical actions one can take to work on a specific area of unlocking creativity, and these are really helpful for self-reflection, self-awareness, and getting creative juices flowing.
Some things I didn’t love:
⚡️ Right from the get go, the book talks about the monetary value of creativity. I can appreciate creativity from an entrepreneurial perspective, but this is a theme that was brought up several times. I didn’t need to see the progression from an idea to its eventual dollar amount or net worth, and those little facts kind of cheapened the value of creativity to me a bit. (Maybe this is more on me, since the cover addresses turning creative ideas into gold. I just felt like was too much of the focus.)
I feel like this book has really useful information, and I got a bit out of it, but I don’t think I was the target demographic for this one. If you’re someone looking at connections between creativity and entrepreneurship, this is the book for you!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
June 29, 2023
This is a very practical handbook for creative breakthrough in art and/or business.
The author illustrates principles using relevant examples from her colorful life and career as well as stories from the art and business world.
As a lover of art, I enjoyed all the art references. If you dislike or don't care much for art, this might be a turn-off.
The book is divided into 4 sections:
1. The Intersection of Creativity, Art, and Business contains the history of creativity, explains why artists have been the original creators and innovators, tells the story of how the author turned her life around, and dispels the myths and lies that we have been taught about creativity.
2. Habits of the Mind is about the qualities that artists and entrepreneurs nurture and cultivate in order to arrive at those amazing “aha” moments that turn their worlds and ours around.
3. Tools of the Trade offers a series of practical methods that can be used to form creative ideas, concepts, and processes in a more concrete way.
4. The Way Forward explains how to put together what was previously covered to keep moving forward with ideas to easily spot opportunities, connect invisible dots, and invent the future at will.
At the end of every chapter, there is a section called Alchemy Lab which contains practical strategies, questions and action steps to implement the lesson learnt. Collectively, there are more than a hundred of these to help you turn your business around, invent something new, get unstuck, adopt habits and teach your brain to see things that others miss, make associations that you never thought about before, and materialize your best ideas.
When you are in a creative rut, just pick up this book and select one or two relevant strategies to move forward.
The author illustrates principles using relevant examples from her colorful life and career as well as stories from the art and business world.
As a lover of art, I enjoyed all the art references. If you dislike or don't care much for art, this might be a turn-off.
The book is divided into 4 sections:
1. The Intersection of Creativity, Art, and Business contains the history of creativity, explains why artists have been the original creators and innovators, tells the story of how the author turned her life around, and dispels the myths and lies that we have been taught about creativity.
2. Habits of the Mind is about the qualities that artists and entrepreneurs nurture and cultivate in order to arrive at those amazing “aha” moments that turn their worlds and ours around.
3. Tools of the Trade offers a series of practical methods that can be used to form creative ideas, concepts, and processes in a more concrete way.
4. The Way Forward explains how to put together what was previously covered to keep moving forward with ideas to easily spot opportunities, connect invisible dots, and invent the future at will.
At the end of every chapter, there is a section called Alchemy Lab which contains practical strategies, questions and action steps to implement the lesson learnt. Collectively, there are more than a hundred of these to help you turn your business around, invent something new, get unstuck, adopt habits and teach your brain to see things that others miss, make associations that you never thought about before, and materialize your best ideas.
When you are in a creative rut, just pick up this book and select one or two relevant strategies to move forward.
July 22, 2022
This book did 3 things that I think caused it to be a close 5 stars.
1. It has a unique voice. Maria Brito is not your average business / self-development author. Her voice is that of a professional woman, an immigrant, and a successful business woman.
2. It provides the reader with end-of-chapter talking points and calls to action. I always prefer self-development books to contain an end-of-chapter summary and action items. I find that most business books contain stories that provide context for the lessons, but the actual talking points can be simplified to a few paragraphs. The stories provide the context, but once you've read it, having an en-of-chapter summary help when reviewing lessons from the book.
3. It talks about art as a business, but also a passion. Maria discusses some of the ways you can make money from art, and highlights some more unusual ways in which it makes money as an industry. She also highlights some of the less savoury parts of the art industry, without sugar coating how difficult it can be to "make it".
The framework the author provides are insightful, and I have no doubt helpful to a lot of artists today. While not everyone is into the fine art scene, it was interesting to see how Marie used collaboration to help elevate her own business and those of the artists. She also highlights some mistakes she has made in her business and the direct cost of those mistakes.
This is a great book. 4.5 stars.
1. It has a unique voice. Maria Brito is not your average business / self-development author. Her voice is that of a professional woman, an immigrant, and a successful business woman.
2. It provides the reader with end-of-chapter talking points and calls to action. I always prefer self-development books to contain an end-of-chapter summary and action items. I find that most business books contain stories that provide context for the lessons, but the actual talking points can be simplified to a few paragraphs. The stories provide the context, but once you've read it, having an en-of-chapter summary help when reviewing lessons from the book.
3. It talks about art as a business, but also a passion. Maria discusses some of the ways you can make money from art, and highlights some more unusual ways in which it makes money as an industry. She also highlights some of the less savoury parts of the art industry, without sugar coating how difficult it can be to "make it".
The framework the author provides are insightful, and I have no doubt helpful to a lot of artists today. While not everyone is into the fine art scene, it was interesting to see how Marie used collaboration to help elevate her own business and those of the artists. She also highlights some mistakes she has made in her business and the direct cost of those mistakes.
This is a great book. 4.5 stars.
May 4, 2023
This book has a bit of an identity problem. It's part memoir and part self-help business book without properly giving space to either side, to the point that both sides lose.
The memoir part is fascinating, with author Maria Brito having achieved an amazing pivot in her career and creating an inspiring business out of something she's passionate about. I would have enjoyed reading about that more in-depth than just the little snippets and seeming asides of how she has done certain things.
The self-help business part of the book is one brilliant individual after another employing different aspects of creativity to grow as individuals and achieve success. Each chapter is focused on a specific angle and comes complete with thought exercises to guide readers through the process of figuring out how they can apply those principles in their business or life. But there's so much to go through and not enough pages for it, which results in too much information jammed into each chapter without space to really breathe and take things in.
In the end, I do feel like I learned important things and thought it was mostly interesting, but the way it was presented made the reading of it somewhat of a chore so I'm not sure I'd recommend it.
Very thankful to NetGalley and HarperCollins Leadership for the enlightening read.
The memoir part is fascinating, with author Maria Brito having achieved an amazing pivot in her career and creating an inspiring business out of something she's passionate about. I would have enjoyed reading about that more in-depth than just the little snippets and seeming asides of how she has done certain things.
The self-help business part of the book is one brilliant individual after another employing different aspects of creativity to grow as individuals and achieve success. Each chapter is focused on a specific angle and comes complete with thought exercises to guide readers through the process of figuring out how they can apply those principles in their business or life. But there's so much to go through and not enough pages for it, which results in too much information jammed into each chapter without space to really breathe and take things in.
In the end, I do feel like I learned important things and thought it was mostly interesting, but the way it was presented made the reading of it somewhat of a chore so I'm not sure I'd recommend it.
Very thankful to NetGalley and HarperCollins Leadership for the enlightening read.
March 26, 2022
What a very interesting book how she would hide different things in together and how she explained things from the past to the future and at the end of each chapter she explained how to go about that chapter and it was like a tie in. Learn a lot from this book especially some things I never really realized and realized and it's kind of interesting how things from the way past came into the future like Braque. Our photoshoot came about because of the style painting thrwell I'm painting 3 or 400 years ago and how the modern people in the twenties also did this as well so it was like an evolution like you did the basic thing and then you added a little more flavor to it and then you added another flavor to it and I think that's pretty amazing Especially like how she talked about this black writer and how he did different things But you should read this book especially if you're in business or the arts because I think it would explain a lot to you and how to relate to that. And how creativity is really important because when you get bored you lose interest in the job but if it's a if people let you be creative and thinking to do new things or how to do new things job would be much more interesting and more challenging and I think this book shows you how to do it
April 30, 2022
"Creativity is a 'do,' a series of actions; it is a muscle that either gets stronger or atrophies depending on how much you use it."
This book is a challenge to ignite our creative spark and create something that is uniquely us. Part art history lecture, part business how-to and part inspirational anthem, this book provides questions that provoke the reader to think about their life and work in new ways.
The author’s life work has been with emerging artists and galleries. She draws heavily from her art background, starting each chapter with an example from one of the artistic greats of the past. But she also provides vibrant up-to-date examples from her work with contemporary artists. As someone whose background is more with the written word than visual art, I was missing a lot of context. I found myself looking up many of the famous paintings or exhibitions mentioned on my phone as I read.
The best part of this book is the Alchemy Lab provided at the end of each chapter. Here, Brito provides questions and activities designed to help you stretch your creative muscles and think about your world in new ways. After all, she says, creativity is a muscle that can be developed, not an innate quality that you are either born with or without.
This book is a challenge to ignite our creative spark and create something that is uniquely us. Part art history lecture, part business how-to and part inspirational anthem, this book provides questions that provoke the reader to think about their life and work in new ways.
The author’s life work has been with emerging artists and galleries. She draws heavily from her art background, starting each chapter with an example from one of the artistic greats of the past. But she also provides vibrant up-to-date examples from her work with contemporary artists. As someone whose background is more with the written word than visual art, I was missing a lot of context. I found myself looking up many of the famous paintings or exhibitions mentioned on my phone as I read.
The best part of this book is the Alchemy Lab provided at the end of each chapter. Here, Brito provides questions and activities designed to help you stretch your creative muscles and think about your world in new ways. After all, she says, creativity is a muscle that can be developed, not an innate quality that you are either born with or without.
March 30, 2025
This was such an inspiring read for me! As someone who’s always been curious about creativity but never considered myself artistic, this book really opened my eyes. Brito, who went from being a lawyer to an art curator and entrepreneur, shares her own journey and shows how creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s a skill anyone can develop and use in their career, business, or everyday life.
I loved how she mixes personal stories with examples from history, art, and modern business. She talks about everything from Renaissance painters to companies like Nike and Airbnb, showing how creativity has driven innovation for centuries. It made me realize that creativity isn’t about being “talented”—it’s about curiosity, problem-solving, and thinking differently.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the “Alchemy Lab” at the end of each chapter. These are little exercises that help you apply what you’ve learned, like reflecting on your strengths or brainstorming new ways to approach a challenge.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review
I loved how she mixes personal stories with examples from history, art, and modern business. She talks about everything from Renaissance painters to companies like Nike and Airbnb, showing how creativity has driven innovation for centuries. It made me realize that creativity isn’t about being “talented”—it’s about curiosity, problem-solving, and thinking differently.
One of my favorite parts of the book is the “Alchemy Lab” at the end of each chapter. These are little exercises that help you apply what you’ve learned, like reflecting on your strengths or brainstorming new ways to approach a challenge.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review
April 23, 2022
I said I wouldn't read any more business books. I have said that lots of times since I retired. But one always seems to pop up on my reading pole. It happened again with this one. I did have hopes that it would help me expand my creativity.
I think of myself as fairly creative. I took chorus in high school because I like to sing and I hated study hall. I used to sew all my clothes until the prices for ready made clothing fell below that of plain material. I do counted cross stitch for relaxation. I've even tried my hand at painting.
This book, while it claimed to have new insights on creativity, is a business book. Think "sell the sizzle, not the steak" and you'll be right where the book is. It's not really about being creative. It's about using creativity to run your business. Each chapter had a list of questions to see if you understood the material. I quit the book about half way through.
I think of myself as fairly creative. I took chorus in high school because I like to sing and I hated study hall. I used to sew all my clothes until the prices for ready made clothing fell below that of plain material. I do counted cross stitch for relaxation. I've even tried my hand at painting.
This book, while it claimed to have new insights on creativity, is a business book. Think "sell the sizzle, not the steak" and you'll be right where the book is. It's not really about being creative. It's about using creativity to run your business. Each chapter had a list of questions to see if you understood the material. I quit the book about half way through.
March 1, 2022
An accessible, captivating read about how creativity thrives and drives progress in every field. After each chapter Maria Brito provides an “Alchemy Lab” with questions/prompts and suggested practices that helps reinforce her key messages and allow opportunities for readers to apply their insights and learning. I appreciated this addition! It was fascinating to read the anecdotes and examples of people (mostly famous artists) lauded for their creativity. If other readers take away one message from this, I hope it is the belief that anyone can be creative!
I recommend How Creativity Rules the World to anyone interested in creative pursuits, practicing creativity, contemporary art, art history, and psychology.
Thank you to HarperCollins Leadership and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I recommend How Creativity Rules the World to anyone interested in creative pursuits, practicing creativity, contemporary art, art history, and psychology.
Thank you to HarperCollins Leadership and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
June 8, 2022
Maria Brito has written a primer on how to set one’s inhibitions free when creating or formulating an idea. Sometimes it feels as if there is nothing to be done, that the ideas aren’t out there, or that you’re incapable of pulling off a particular project.
This book is a wonderful history of how many creative people work, why they do what they do, and how they got where they did.
Although the book appears to be aimed at businesses of all sizes, it’s also a wonderful starting place full of ideas that can work for creative people of all types, whether in business or private settings.
This is an excellent read, not only for her lessons in how to come up with ideas, but also for the sheer joy of reading about the backgrounds of so many artists who have contributed their ideas and work to the rest of the world.
This book is a wonderful history of how many creative people work, why they do what they do, and how they got where they did.
Although the book appears to be aimed at businesses of all sizes, it’s also a wonderful starting place full of ideas that can work for creative people of all types, whether in business or private settings.
This is an excellent read, not only for her lessons in how to come up with ideas, but also for the sheer joy of reading about the backgrounds of so many artists who have contributed their ideas and work to the rest of the world.
April 26, 2022
What do Instagram, Leonardo DaVinci, intuition, and powerful CEOs have in common? A lot more than you might think, actually. Creative powerhouse @mariabrito_ny does a brilliant job throwing a multitude of examples at the reader in a way that is clear, coherent, concise and also wildly inspirational. As she says at the end of this exploration of what it means to channel your creativity: “keep coming back to these pages when you need a boost.” For artists, but not just ‘for artists’, Brito scours the creative, historic, personal, and professional landscapes to show just how creativity really is at the nucleus of our world. My favourite sentence, (triple underlined and dog-eared) “when artists create new worlds, they are free to play with any aspect of it.” 💥 a big fat 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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