MasterMind Drummer
August 19th, 2024
Newsletter #35
“It is how we choose what we do, and how we approach it, that will determine whether the sum of our days adds up to a formless blur, or to something resembling a work of art.” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
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Welcome back!
Don’t worry, as always, I’m just having a bit of fun with the headline to this newsletter, and if you follow my social media, you may know why…
I was actually shocked someone would think this, let alone put the thought out there, in public.
The thing is, you don’t even need to be a reader to know full well that it has benefits and value. I thought as a society we had already agreed on that. Hadn’t we?
And the kicker…? They call themselves an educator, too.
Mind = blown.
Alright, we are coming in a little hot, so, for a bit more context…
Last week I released a video on my YouTube channel titled ‘These 5 Books That Will Change Your Life‘, which is basically a walk through of my Top 5 Recommendations when first entering the world of reading, in regard to leveling up.
These are the books that impacted me heavily, early on in my journey of self-discovery and personal development. My ‘gateway’ books, so to speak.
So back to this comment.
I posted the intro of the video on my Instagram, to bring awareness to the video, to which someone then left that comment, and honestly, it floored me.
I’ll say too, I censored their name not to protect them, but purely as I didn’t want to promote them in any way whatsoever. Usually, I wouldn’t care, as I’m a firm believer that if you’re going to say something silly in the comments, you need to wear it.
But yeah, I didn’t want to promote them.
Now, believe it or not, this newsletter is not actually about the comment itself, haha, it’s just good timing! I just saw it as an opportunity to open with a bit of a laugh.
The real point today, (for my newsletter fam), is to give you 3 additional book recommendations, as this is still one of the more common questions I get.
So let’s dive in.
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Now, just quickly, and as a side note, make sure you keep an eye on your email ‘promotions’ folder.
Each week I send out a sweet, sweet offer for one of my courses, and this is most likely where those offers are ending up.
I’ve now had a few people reach out saying they missed out as they didn’t see the offer, so I wanted to let you know. But look, in those situations, I’ve happily extended it anyway. Just ask. 🙂
Alight, back to it.
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So, my 3 additional book recommendations… Lets go.
#1 – The Creative Act – Rick Ruben
This book is absolutely fantastic. If you are like me and are fascinated by creativity, the process of it, and always looking for ways to keep those creative juices flowing, then this is the perfect addition to your collection.
I received this book from my wife for my 40th birthday this year, and went into it expecting stories of all the bands Rick has worked with over the years, which to be honest, didn’t really excite me much.
I know Rick has worked with some killer artists over the years, but I’ve never really been drawn to biographies or books with stories of that nature.
Anyway, it actually turned out to be quite the opposite, which was a pleasant surprise.
In fact, Rick doesn’t even mention a single artist by name throughout the whole book, as that’s not the focus. It’s purely about the essence of creativity.
Rick shares his views on the creative process itself, how to nurture it, and how to sustain it in the long term, which is a topic I resonate with deeply.
I’ve mentioned this a few times now, but after 27years on the kit, the most important thing to me, when it comes to the drums, is simply nurturing my desire to sit down and play. Thats it. That’s all I care about.
For all of us, that’s our only true superpower we have here – the desire to play. So how do we maintain and sustain that?
Well, THAT is what this book is about, and why I loved it so much. This is a topic most creatives struggle with, but is not really talked about enough.
I’d say this book falls into the same category of Steven Pressfield’s ‘The War Of Art’ too, but with a bit more of a philosophical edge to it, which I really loved.
It’s a light and breezy read, with each topic/point only 1–2 pages long. I love that.
I highly recommend it. 8.5/10.
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#2 – Discipline Is Destiny – Ryan Holiday.
FYI – Whenever it comes to book lists, I’ll always include one of Ryan’s books.
1. Because I have read so many of them now, and
2. Because they are very near and dear to me.
Discipline is Destiny is the 2nd of a 4-book series Ryan is currently writing (the 3rd just released), each focusing on one of the 4 Stoic virtues –
Courage
Temperance
Justice
Wisdom
(Something I didn’t mention in my Top 5 video is that Ryan’s book ‘Courage is Calling’, is actually the first of this series)
This book is built on the virtue of temperance – so the act of moderation and restraint, but focusing specifically on the power of self-discipline.
Ryan digs into the idea that discipline isn’t just about willpower or self-control, it’s actually the foundation of a successful and meaningful life.
I mean think about it… Progress in any area is anchored purely on how disciplined you are at it. Thats it.
He explains how discipline shapes our daily habits, our mindset, and ultimately, our future, and makes the point that real discipline isn’t about sticking to rigid routines; ironically, it’s about the freedom that it can bring into our lives.
As Jocko Willink famously said, “Discipline Equals Freedom”.
This statement couldn’t be more true.
What I like about Ryans books too, much like Ricks, is that the chapters are short, so 2–3 pages. I prefer this as I feel I’m moving through it, which creates positive momentum – even if I only have a spare 10 minutes.
A total game changer read – 9/10
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Now, the third and final book is something I’m currently reading. (I’m reading 4 books at the moment). I haven’t finished it yet, but I am enjoying it, so I thought it would be great to add it to this list as it’s a current/real-time read for me.
#3 – Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
I find this topic fascinating, the topic of ‘Flow’.
We talk about flow in drumming a lot. I actually get questions about it all the time…
“How do you flow?”
“Can you teach me how to flow?”
“I wish I could flow”
“They have great flow”, etc etc.
This is a very famous book, as Mihaly is actually the author that popularized the term and how we use it today.
In my opinion, flow is pretty simple at its core. In terms of drumming specifically, true ‘flow’ around the kit – so effortlessly and mindlessly moving between your concepts and ideas, is just a byproduct of how practiced you are.
So… It’s determined purely by how many reps you have put in.
This is something that Mihaly gets into as well, as you can’t have flow with a skill if you haven’t acquired those skills (or movements), in the first place.
Something else Mihaly leans heavily on is that our attention is key. That flow comes down to our focus of attention, as that is what will determine the extent to which we can attain that state.
Couldn’t agree more.
He talks about phychic entropy – “a state where our mind is dominated by disordered and uncontrollable thoughts, often leading us away from our goals and consuming our cognitive resources.”
So, by controlling our external environment more at times of work, aka. Distractions, we can then enter flow much more readily.
Interesting stuff.
I’ll say too, pulling from Ryans book as well, if you have discipline coupled with your focus of attention, then you are literally quite unstoppable.
So yeah, although I’m only reading it at the moment, I am already really enjoying it, so I thought I’d share it here too.
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Anyway, that’s it for this week. I’m heading back out on tour with Black Comet this weekend, wrapping up our winter tour, I am finishing writing my next course (The Key To Dynamics and Mechanics Mastery), and have some songs to track, too! So better get back to it!
But just remember, the big takeaway here is –
Reading Is For Dummies… Dummy. lol
As always, thanks for taking the time, and thanks for all your feedback, too. I really appreciate it.
I read them all. So please, if you have any thoughts, send them through, and let’s get a dialogue happening.
Don’t forget… Stay hungry (and stay healthy!)
See you next week.
Stan