Books by Scott Belsky by Scott Belsky

Scott Belsky is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and author who has made a mark in the business world. In 2009, he founded a social networking and project management tool called Behance. He is also the founder of The 99–an online platform for creatives. He stormed into the business world with the help of an inspirational book, Making Ideas Happen (2010). Here's a look at his books and an analysis of their content.

Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality (2010)

In Making Ideas Happen, Belsky challenges the popular notion that success of any kind follows from genius and luck. Through case studies and real world examples, he explains that inspiration is only the first step. Making things happen depends on organizations and processes, more than any flash of insight or individual wit. The book is well-stocked with practical advice, centered on the idea of "managing creative output".

Belsky outlines three stages of idea implementation: Gather (forming a team and collecting input), Organize (prioritizing, planning and dealing with obstacles) and Execute (implementing). He encourages readers to review workflows, discuss ideas in teams and build an idea "backlog". Making Ideas Happen stresses the importance of proper execution, and the value of planning ahead to predict delays and roadblocks.

The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Critical Part of Any Bold Venture (2018)

The Messy Middle is about how one navigates the struggles, opposition and stress of the protracted business journey. It discusses the challenges encountered in any start-up, from convincing investors to managing growing teams and dealing with competition.

In this book, Belsky dives deep into the pitfalls and struggles of a business's growth. He explains how founders need to brace themselves for long term commitment and dedication, and how to persevere during the lengthy and difficult second stage of any venture. The book encourages readers to keep their heads down, have patience and take risks in order to survive the middle phase of a company.

He illuminates that most of us are prisoners of our linear thinking when it comes to business structure, and we need to think outside the box in order to arrive at win-win solutions.

Using stories from his own experiences and those of other successful entrepreneurs, Belsky explains that a business enterprise is often rife with contradictions and unexpected outcomes.

Creative Calling: Establish a Daily Practice, Infuse Your World With Meaning, and Succeed in Work + Life (2019)

In Creative Calling, Belsky peels back the curtain on achieving a life of creative fulfillment. Drawing on the most powerful creative minds of today, Belsky states that creative fulfillment is achievable, but it can’t be achieved without dedicated effort and a commitment to the creative flow.

He explains how an adaptable structure is essential for building creative momentum. He also outlines the three primary elements of creative fulfillment–process, discipline and space–which he believes are the key ingredients for creative success. He encourages readers to reframe mundane tasks as creative and productive endeavors. In this book, Belsky offers insight into how to create an everyday process for thinking creatively, propelling the reader towards an existence of innovation, stability and joy.

Conclusion

Scott Belsky's books are thought-provoking and inspiring, offering stories and advice that have the potential to ignite the flame of creativity in their readers. He emphasizes the importance of processes, formations and disciplined initiative as the route toward success. Ultimately, these books present a fresh perspective on the creative journey and provide actionable ideas for achieving it.