The Hired Guns Blog

Today we’re going to test a big idea that I hope will become a staple within our community: The Hired Guns Book Club. We’ve been wanting to try this for a long time. And now that we finally have a growing blog to support it, the time is now. It might seem plain crazy to launch a book club at the end of the summer, but I actually think it’s the perfect time. Fall is almost here, which means that the next few weeks give you precious time to get “inside your head” and go into the end of the year with the wind at your back. Now is the time to organize, prioritize, and create processes for success.

We can think of no better author to kick things off than Todd Henry, who will lead a virtual book club to discuss his new book, The Accidental Creative: How To Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice. We believe in this book and Todd’s premise that “anyone can improve his ability to generate good ideas consistently if willing to be a little more purposeful in how to approach the creative process.” We’ve been a fan of Todd Henry’s podcasts for years, and it’s high time he wrote a book that’s guaranteed to enhance readers’ careers.

So who’s an accidental creative? It’s anyone who needs to solve problems, develop strategies, and come up with ideas—that covers everyone from “true” creatives to business people who need to do mind-bending work to keep their company and products innovative. That said, this book is especially helpful to any creative classer who is feeling burnout coming over them. We say, get familiar with the ideas now, before you REALLY need them!

Here’s how The Hired Guns Book Club is going to go down:

This group read will take place over the next four weeks. We’ve broken the reading into three sections, and we’ll end with a final post that gives you easy steps for extending the lessons in the book. Each week, you’ll be charged with reading three to four chapters (about 30-40 pages). Todd will blog along the way, taking questions from “The Guns” as we go (so definitely give us feedback in the comments and on Facebook). We want to have a dialogue with you, our community, as we read the book. I’m hoping you’ll join us on this reading journey.

August 16: Today. You have one week to go out and buy your copy of the The Accidental Creative. And listen to Todd’s intro, which he created just for us. (Visit Todd’s site if the player below doesn’t work.)

August 22: Part 1: The Dynamics. Todd will introduce chapters 1 through 3. Here he will discuss the problems that can hold creativity back.

August 29: Part II: Creative Rhythm. Todd will cover chapters 4-7, which explain how you can hit your rhythm and stay motivated throughout the workday.

September 5 (Labor Day): Part III: More Creative Rhythm. In chapters 8-10, Todd shows how “busy work” can remove any time for creativity, and why regularly scheduled checkpoints with yourself help keep your career on track.

September 12: Part IV: Conclusion. Todd gives some easy steps that you can take to extend the lessons—he’ll also answer any questions you may have about incorporating Accidental Creative into your life.

In the meantime, find out a little more about the Accidental Creative via Todd’s book trailer, his podcasts, and his blog posts for The Hired Guns:

“Be a Laser, Not a Lighthouse” & Other Creative Leadership Essentials
The Accidental Creative: Are You Taking Ground or Just Maintaining It?
“Every Hero Needs a Bad Guy”: Who Are You Fighting Against?