Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance

by Jonathan Fields (Goodreads Author)

3.6 of 5 stars 3.60 · rating details · 339 ratings · 64 reviews

Jonathan Fields knows the risks-and potential power-of uncertainty. He gave up a six-figure income as a lawyer to make $12 an hour as a personal trainer. Then, married with a 3-month old baby, he signed a lease to launch a yoga center in the heart of New York City. . . the day before 9/11. But he survived, and along the way he developed a fresh approach to transforming unc...more Jonathan Fields knows the risks-and potential power-of uncertainty. He gave up a six-figure income as a lawyer to make $12 an hour as a personal trainer. Then, married with a 3-month old baby, he signed a lease to launch a yoga center in the heart of New York City. . . the day before 9/11. But he survived, and along the way he developed a fresh approach to transforming uncertainty, risk of loss, and exposure to judgment into catalysts for innovation, creation, and achievement.

Properly understood and harnessed, fear and uncertainty can become fuel for creative genius rather than sources of pain, anxiety, and suffering. In business, art, and life, creating on a world-class level demands bold action and leaps of faith in the face of great uncertainty. But that uncertainty can lead to fear, anxiety, paralysis, and destruction. It can gut creativity and stifle innovation. It can keep you from taking the risks necessary to do great work and craft a deeply-rewarding life. And it can bring companies that rely on innovation grinding to a halt.

That is, unless you know how to use it to your advantage.
Fields draws on leading-edge technology, cognitive-science and ancient awareness-focusing techniques in a fresh, practical, non-dogmatic way. His approach enables creativity and productivity on an entirely different level and can turn the once-tortuous journey into a more enjoyable quest. Fields will reveal how to:

Make changes to your workflow that unlock buried creative potential. Build "creation hives" -- supportive groups that can supercharge and humanize the process. Tap social technology and user co-creation to add clarity, certainty, and sanity, even if you're an artist or solo-creator. Develop a set of personal practices and mindset shifts that let you not just tolerate, but invite and even amplify, uncertainty as a catalyst for genius.

Drawing on extensive case studies and research, Fields shares a set of detailed personal practices and environmental changes that can not only humanize the creative process, but also allow individuals and teams to stay more open to opportunity and play a bigger creative game.(less)

Hardcover, 240 pages

Published September 29th 2011 by Portfolio Hardcover

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Almond Tree by Michelle Cohen Corasanti

Books won on Goodreads

111th out of 200 books — 84 voters

The E-Myth Revisted/ The E-Myth Mastery by Michael E. Gerber

Puttytribe Recommended Business Books

23rd out of 30 books — 6 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 1,399)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Mar 21, 2013 Angela Kidd Shinozaki rated it 4 of 5 stars

I listened to this as an audio. I have to admit that the voice on this one threw me just a bit b/c of the constant intonations. But the book itself was wonderful. I think everyone starting a business or artistic project should read it. This concept is the key to making it as a creator. Leaning into fear and judgment. Conducting seemingly wild experiments freely. We must let the uncertainty fuel us b/c it is a necessary evil. Otherwise, what we do is simply derivative. It even talks about what to...more

like · see review

Apr 17, 2012 Giber Becerra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: personal-development

No es por pura casualidad que que este libro tenga 5 estrellas en amazon.
Cuando empezamos algo nuevo, siempre se siente la incertidumbre o inseguridad de no saber que es lo que va a suceder. Seremos criticados? Sera un fracaso? Le ira a gustar a los demas? Se ira a vender? Estas son algunas de las preguntas que nos hacemos cuando iniciamos un proyecto.
En “Uncertainty”, Jonathan Fields nos habla acerca de lo importante que es adoptar la incertidumbre como algo bueno para todos aquellos que se ded...more

like · see review

Nov 10, 2011 Mark rated it 3 of 5 stars

A good enough read on how to not let uncertainty, doubt, and the fear of judgement paralyze you.

Best bit of advice for me: pay attention to my work habits throughout the day and notice when I start to fade and not be keenly engaged in my work. Jot those times down and at the end of a week I have a pretty good pattern to guide me in structuring my day. For me, my best work is done between 7:00 and 9:00 am. After that I'm really only good for about 1/2 hour spurts of focus. The odd thing is that...more

like 2 likes · see review

Nov 06, 2011 Erica rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: couldnt-finish, ei, leadership, meh, non-fiction, unengaging

I couldn't even make it to chapter two. I was originally intrigued by this book because there's so much uncertainty in everyone's lives and I thought, "I'd like to find a way to turn something so stressful into something positive." The first thing I noticed was there were no bibliographical resources, no references. When I see that, I often assume the writer is just sharing an opinion, something he's thought long and hard about and put to paper. While opinions are great, I'm not sure they should...more

like 4 likes · see review

Jan 21, 2013 Kara rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, business, 12books, book-club

When I pick up a new business book, the first thing I do is flip to the back to check out the notes. I have a strong preference for books with lots of notes. It shows the author did his or her research, that the book is based on something other than just one person's ideas. Ideas from just one person, however grounded in experience, just aren't a big enough sample size for me. If there are no or very few notes, I assume the author's more of a motivational speaker than a writer.

I opened Uncertain...more When I pick up a new business book, the first thing I do is flip to the back to check out the notes. I have a strong preference for books with lots of notes. It shows the author did his or her research, that the book is based on something other than just one person's ideas. Ideas from just one person, however grounded in experience, just aren't a big enough sample size for me. If there are no or very few notes, I assume the author's more of a motivational speaker than a writer.

I opened Uncertainty, flipped to the back, and noticed the conspicuous absence of notes. I expected a fluffy read, full of personal stories. You can understand my astonishment at the discovery that this reads like a well-researched book. The author references studies, a ton of other books, interviews with other business authors, and real life anecdotes. So where are the notes? He says things like, "A 2006 Dutch study of 19,288 twins and their families that demonstrated that those who exercise were 'less anxious, less depressed, less neurotic, and also more socially outgoing.'" Without notes, we don't know where this was published, who conducted the survey, or anything about its methodology (in other news, Fields, that was not a sentence and should not end with a period). Does Fields assume his readers won't be interested enough in what he has to say to want to read the source material? Worse, is he trying to hide the source material because maybe he was twisting it to what he wanted to say (I wouldn't typically bring this up, but I found it interesting that Jonah Lehrer was mentioned; in Fields's defense, this was published before Lehrer was exposed). No, I don't think Fields had any malicious intent here, but without a Notes section, it's hard to tell. This is, at best, really lazy. I do not like lazy.

Beyond the irritating lack of notes, Fields took a fairly egotistical tone throughout the book. I'm not used to so many Is in books like this. "I learned" and "I did" and "I found." Is Jonathan Fields a big deal? How has he proved that his opinions matter? Now, there are a LOT of biographies and business books written by successful leaders and entrepreneurs that contain a lot of Is. But we want to hear what they have to say to see if we can find the key to success in the somewhere. It's awfully presumptuous of Fields, someone you couldn't call well-known, to speak to his readers like this. What are his credentials?

This isn't to say that the book doesn't contain good ideas or that Fields's thoughts aren't worthwhile. They are but should have been presented differently. I was actually quite enjoying the book until it got all pseudo-sciencey about exercise and meditation. (Again, if you're going to make scientific claims, you need to cite your sources, and anecdotal evidence just doesn't cut it.)

It seems like the purpose of the book was to promote Fields's consulting and speaking business. The book would probably make a great presentation. Unfortunately, as a book, it falls short.

Received through 12books.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Dec 12, 2012 Joseph rated it 4 of 5 stars

A wonderful book on the topic 'uncertainty'

(1) a very structured, systematic book on the topic
(2) it began by comparing uncertainty to rock climbing where we need to make certain 'crux moves' that will determine the entire route.
(3) uncertainty is unavoidable in all instances but we can learn from Ellsberg paradox/ social judgement, certainty anchor, rituals and routines, environment (hives) and access to certain individuals to make the experience less suffering. we can also train our brain thr...more

like · see review

Nov 11, 2011 Debra Eve rated it 4 of 5 stars

If we dare to create, fear and uncertainty become bedfellows. So how can we work through those emotions and thrive? Jonathan Fields' uses stories and research to chart an answer. His suggestions don't break new ground, but he assembles them in a useful and inspiring format. He stresses the use of ritual, finding a "hive" (a benevolent feedback network), and training your mind through exercise, meditation and visualization (not "The Secret" gimme riches kind, but the kind where you pre-process yo...more

like · see review

Dec 26, 2012 Ariana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: entreprenerds

In this book, Jonathan Fields offers a fresh perspective on the creative process based on his own experiences as well as research (although the documenting of his sources is anything but academic in nature. I for one would have loved to see a bibliography at the end listing all the different titles he references throughout the book). He frames the creative process in a new way by talking about things like creativity anchors, co-creation hives, Attentional Training and reframing.

While his writing...more

like · see review

Dec 19, 2012 Casey Wheeler rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: business

I am reviewing this book as part of the 12 Books group discussion which focuses on a business book each month.

Uncertainty follows the steps that the author, Jonathan Fields, recommends in overcoming uncertainty in regards to creativity and productivity. The steps are based on his own journey in developing successful and unsuccessful business ventures.

While the information in the book is interesting, I found the author’s writing style a bit of a challenge at times. At least to me it does not flow...more I am reviewing this book as part of the 12 Books group discussion which focuses on a business book each month.

Uncertainty follows the steps that the author, Jonathan Fields, recommends in overcoming uncertainty in regards to creativity and productivity. The steps are based on his own journey in developing successful and unsuccessful business ventures.

While the information in the book is interesting, I found the author’s writing style a bit of a challenge at times. At least to me it does not flow/read as smoothly as a number of other business books I have read.

The book opens with some real life examples of individuals who have successfully overcome uncertainty and the impact on their lives and their organizations. He then launches into why uncertainty matters and its impact on individuals along with debunking the myth of the fearless creator.

Then the author unveils his recommended process for dealing with uncertainty. It involves creating certainty anchors which revolves around a practice (habit or ritual) or process that helps individuals stay grounded when there is that sense of spinning out of control. Next is the process of building your hive for feedback in development. He addresses the difference in building a hive when one is already in an organization and when one is a solo operation. He then talks about the need for mentors, heroes and champions in the process.

He incorporates a lot of the processes from The Lean Startup by Eric Reis, which I strongly recommend for anyone looking at launching a business, in the next chapter along with co-creation and which might be a better fit.

The final chapters deal with the impact meditation and exercise on the process, when to hold and when to fold on an idea, and reframing by going to zero. The author then provides a section that summarizes each of the chapter and then offers a series of discussion questions that can be used individually or in a group setting.

Jonathan also offers a link to a free Creation Mindset Audit which I recommend that you take before reading the book and then use the book as a resource for development. In addition, he offers a free PDF workbook that can be used in conjunction with reading the book or later for those that want to develop their fear of uncertainty.

All in all, a good read.
(less)

like · see review

Dec 22, 2012 Ken Montville rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 12-books

(note: I was sent a copy of this book, signed by the author - thanks, Jonathan! - in exchange for an honest review. It was also the January selection for 12 Books - a reading group here on Goodreads)

I first ran across Jonathan Fields on his blog and was impressed by his giving heart and generous spirit. So I was interested to read his take on overcoming the fear we all have when beginning something new.

To his credit, the book is not just a collection of blog posts cobbled together to make a few...more (note: I was sent a copy of this book, signed by the author - thanks, Jonathan! - in exchange for an honest review. It was also the January selection for 12 Books - a reading group here on Goodreads)

I first ran across Jonathan Fields on his blog and was impressed by his giving heart and generous spirit. So I was interested to read his take on overcoming the fear we all have when beginning something new.

To his credit, the book is not just a collection of blog posts cobbled together to make a few bucks. Yet, after the Introduction and first few chapters my mind began to wander.

It seems Fields is writing to an audience that wouldn't normally pick up a personal development/self-help type book. The title itself is a bit hyperbolic. Surely, most people would be happy with outcomes less than "brilliant". This continues into the body of the book where he writes about "creators" and their "creations" in the same way most people might think of producers and products. After all, since marketability is a goal isn't most of what we "create" really a product. Surely, even a product of our imagination doesn't have to be couched in such lofty terms.

Jonathan is a good writer but the language makes the book a little inaccessible, at least to me.

His case studies also seemed a little inaccessible. Most of them are what some people refer to as Renaissance Men (or Women). It's not enough that they are clearly successful in one field, they also seem to excel in several others and, of course, they all have the epiphany that there must be something more. They feel unchallenged, unfulfilled. So they go out and start (create) something new. It helps that the success they've enjoyed before starting over has probable given them plenty of money to take chances without worrying too much about paying the bills.

Finally, some of the advice in this book is eons old wrapped in the language of the Web 2.0 twenty or 30 something trying to find themselves. Routine and ritual become certainty anchors, surrounding yourself with positive, like minded people becomes finding mentors, heroes and champions. Even Jonathan's interesting visions of co-creation through feedback loops or co-working environments might be considered as developing a mastermind group. Oh, and focus? You get that through Attention Training (AT) aka meditation.

As I progressed through the book, I began to like it more and more. It does have some interesting ideas and the author has obviously done his research. So if you'd like a book that provides a path on your journey to bringing your creation to market, this is a good place to start.(less)

like · see review

Apr 28, 2013 Rachael rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was given the opportunity to read and review “Uncertainy” through and online book club I participate in called 12books. “Uncertainty” was a pretty challenging book to get into and found it hard to hold my attention until chapter 6. The concept of the book was very interesting in regards to learning to accept that fear and uncertainty come with most great things we do in life. Where I felt it was hard to get into were a lot of the random examples that were thrown into the book and the occasiona...more I was given the opportunity to read and review “Uncertainy” through and online book club I participate in called 12books. “Uncertainty” was a pretty challenging book to get into and found it hard to hold my attention until chapter 6. The concept of the book was very interesting in regards to learning to accept that fear and uncertainty come with most great things we do in life. Where I felt it was hard to get into were a lot of the random examples that were thrown into the book and the occasional paragraphs which would compare our brains’ response to the feelings of fear, judgment, and uncertainty.
Towards the end of the book though, my attention was held by the interesting topics that came up. How friends, family, mentors, and other individuals in our life can push a forward or hinder our progress is interesting. A feeling I had was that I could separate those thoughts but there is a lot of evidence that we internalize much more than we think. The author gives some good examples of how to turn criticism and judgment from people in our lives into fuel to push our dreams and goals even further.
The other interesting chapter and section for me, was that regarding mediation or Attention Training (AT). Meditation has always been of interest to me, but not something that I have ever been able to put into a consistent practice. I felt the author gave some great tips to get started and even so much as saying that if you are consistent, even for shorter periods of time, that you will begin to feel the effects of this relaxed state of mind fairly quickly. I definitely intend to make that a regular part of my day by starting out for shorter periods of just sitting and allowing my mind to be at peace. The author also gives some great advice about the correlation between exercising and your brain being in better shape to handle stress, work more productive, and to increase creativity. I definitely believe that adding more exercise to my life would impact my business endeavors and activities in a positive way.
Overall I would recommend this book to individuals that are in a limbo in their life. Do you continue forging through with your dreams and goals or is it time to take a step back and evaluate them? This book will help you think all that and more through. It is definitely a good read and I would just suggest pushing through the first few chapters if you find it harder to get into, because it does get better.
(less)

like · see review

Oct 10, 2011 Lori Tatar rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Uncertainty" is a great companion to help one find a little bit of reassurance when making decisions that may lead to uncertain places. It seems only appropriate at this time to mention Steve Jobs and to ask, where would we be if he had always taken the sure route to where he was going? He revolutionized how we communicate, how we make and watch movies, how we listen to music, just to name a few marks he made on the world. If he had always placed one foot then the other in someone else's footpr...more

like 1 like · see review

Mar 13, 2013 Ron rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: business

As a general business book, it falls flat after a few chapters. However, if you are a bootstrapping entrepreneur, creative type, or someone who has been in the kind of high-pressure situation solo targeted in this book, without of course the benefits of support systems, corporate training or the benefits of a support network and your family, this book is a gem. I found myself nodding my head constantly, and although I found that I had already discovered many of the techniques that the author des...more

like · see review

Jan 13, 2013 Ken rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 12books

Read this for the 12booksgroup.com monthly book club.

A great concept for taking steps toward tackling the anxiety of uncertainty into something that can be embraced (or just becoming less uncomfortable with). The end of chapter recaps and the final summary chapter are helpful, and left me feeling like much of the content within the chapters weren't as valuable to read.

I thought the content was great and practical, but the portrayal of the content left me wanting more to keep engaged; I often fou...more

like · see review

Oct 29, 2011 Steven Lewis rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed it and have sketched out several tips to implement, as well as earmarked some further reading recommended. I'm giving it only three stars because I bought it as a Kindle book and it was badly formatted. I think I'm quite forgiving but when you have no page numbers what use, for instance, are 10 screens of index entries not hyperlinked to the relevant point? Either take the time to build the
links or don't include the index in the ebook. I'd be happy with either solution but not insultin...more

like · see review

Feb 18, 2012 Kelly Phillips rated it 5 of 5 stars

I recommend this book to anyone I meet who wants something better in their life. Every one of them who followed through and read it thanked me for the recommendation before they were even halfway through the book. If you are someone who has "potential" but has never quite been able to make a go of it, READ THIS BOOK. Jonathan Field explains that those people we admire who take the big risks and go it on their own, in art, business, music, whatever - they are just as afraid of failing as you and...more

like · see review

Jun 10, 2012 Brandon Carlson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Complete hodgepodge of materials from other sources and well referenced. By reading this book you will, at the very least, come out of it with a large book/research paper list to follow up on (I have read most of them and there's a reason he's citing them). I didn't feel like his point resonated much with me (maybe I'm dense) because I felt the content was all over the place and didn't necessarily support the title. If the title were something like "Here are a bunch of stories about research rel...more

like · see review

Mar 20, 2012 Christy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm a HUGE fan of this book. I read it shortly after quitting my job and taking off on an adventure to South America and it really helped to fuel my confidence (and re-assure me when I started to think I might be crazy). I'd highly recommend giving this one a read - Jonathan has such a positive way at looking at situations that others might shy away from. He gives some great suggestions for getting more comfortable with uncertainty, and points out how important they are for all of us throughout...more

like · see review

Feb 12, 2012 Miranda Diaz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: business, career, change-management, communication, goals, leadership, success

"In eliminating uncertainty, we kill our shot at brilliance. We become derivative. All in the name of not having to learn to live with butterflies."

"When you run from uncertainty, you end up running from life. From evolution. From growth. From wisdom. From friendship. From love."

This book is all about the need to function in an uncertain world, and is chalk full of tips for making lessening the anxiety around the unknown and turning those situations into fuel for greatness. Good tips about cre...more

like · see review

Sep 13, 2012 Thomas rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-physical, first-reads, nonfiction

I won this book through First Reads, woo! Now I am obligated to review it, though I would have anyway.

Jonathan Fields has felt uncertain before. As a lawyer-turned personal trainer who launched a yoga center in NYC the day before 9/11, he must have faced fears and falls. They haven't stopped him from writing Uncertainty, though. In this book he delves into the damaging effects of doubt and what we can do to defeat it. He draws from many fields, ranging from cognitive neuroscience, lifestyle reor...more

like 4 likes · see review

Jan 10, 2012 Tricia rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Folks looking for a shot of confidence in tackling creative challenges

Recommended to Tricia by: Box of Crayons

For this reader initially, "Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance" by Jonathan Fields had a deja vu quality after just finishing "Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated from Anxiety" by Kelly Wilson and Troy DuFrene.

In particular, Fields spends a good part of one chapter in the beginning of the book delving into anxiety, albeit not to the extent of the other book. Using numerous recent business examples, Fields lays out compelling reasons why u...more For this reader initially, "Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance" by Jonathan Fields had a deja vu quality after just finishing "Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated from Anxiety" by Kelly Wilson and Troy DuFrene.

In particular, Fields spends a good part of one chapter in the beginning of the book delving into anxiety, albeit not to the extent of the other book. Using numerous recent business examples, Fields lays out compelling reasons why uncertainty is a boost rather than the bane of our existence in the act of creation and then serves up possible practices to help reduce anxiety and welcome uncertainty in our lives, especially for those who are called to create for a living.

As a writer, I was definitely interested to understand how I might tackle those butterflies more effectively, so that I might create more and better work. Although I found several lifestyle and behavioral changes (specifically in the Train Your Brain chapter) that I can readily employ, most of Fields' guidance seems suited more to entrepreneurs and "R&D" folks than solo creators. However, Fields does acknowledge the difference between those who innovate in teams and those who create alone, and attempts to offer up potential alternate solutions for solo creators.

I especially appreciated his summaries at the end of every chapter, titled aptly, "Putting It Together." The top line summary of the concepts really help in recapping the learnings and also offer a handy reference that you can flip back to for review.

All in all, I really enjoyed "Uncertainty." Fields has a conversational writing style that greets you from the first sentence and doesn't wane; I imagine he's the kind of person I could talk to for hours over coffee and be only the better for it. I'm definitely going to check out his blog because I think he has some captivating ideas about how to pivot from inaction to action. I just was hoping for a bit more geared toward solo creators like me.(less)

like · see review

Nov 04, 2011 Gregory rated it 3 of 5 stars

ack... I don't know how to write a review for this book. I ended genuinely liking the author even though he doesn't talk that much about himself. There were some chapters that bordered on awesome and there were others that I had to slog through. I almost gave the book a four based on his chapters about creating a personal practice, i.e. yoga, tai chi, meditation or whatever else works for you. I was also impressed with his discussions on creating rituals to invite creativity.

I did take his Creat...more

like · see review

Feb 08, 2012 Joey Knapp rated it 4 of 5 stars

Uncertainty is a very interesting book. It began with the tone of a energy drinking recent grad (from a party school) and quickly turns into a reflective, insightful, and brave guide to getting the most out of your life and your potential. I really enjoyed reading this and I intend on slowly integrating the advice into my life.

I can't think of anyone who wouldn't gain something from reading this book.

like · see review

Dec 27, 2012 Jacob rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was such a unique topic. I've never read anything else about this topic. I've never thought of myself as a person who is slowed or debilitated by fear or uncertainty. This reading helped me better identify the parts of my creation process that slow me down and gave me clear steps to take to remove those barriers. We are all creators in one sense or another.

Security in life is one of the great myths that we are wired to believe in. True security can never be achieved and thus we must find a...more

like 1 like · see review

Jan 22, 2013 Othon Leon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: business

This book is a good continuation of Mr. Fields' Career Renegade. At times it seemed to "deviate" a little bit from the book's core subject but all in all is full of resources and some good ideas as well.

There are two aspects that I appreciated very much in the book though: first, Jonathan Fields deserves an applause for including in a very significant way the value of meditation technics in the creation process and as an anxiety suppressor. Second, what a beautiful thing was to include a resume...more

like · see review

Dec 28, 2012 Mike Vardy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Jonathan Fields follow-up to Career Renegade, Uncertainty: Turning Fear & Doubt Into Fuel for Brilliance is another rock solid book from the inspiring author and speaker. Fields tells the reader to feed off of the uncertainty that they feel and make the most of it. A great gift idea for someone who wants (or needs) to make a major change in their life.

like · see review

Feb 25, 2012 Julie rated it 4 of 5 stars

While this book is not the usual kind of book I read - I usually read for enjoyment, this book was very helpful in tangible ways. If you are either entrepreneurial or creative or both, I thought there were many great suggestions and ways to approach new ways of thinking and managing a creative life so that it isn't such a stress and struggle.

like · see review

Dec 28, 2012 Steven Martin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Well I am glad I read this. I appreciated the insights into identifying what motivates you and finding your style of work. HOWEVER, it seemed like this book was geared to entrepeneurs or people very driven to start a business. I just don't fall into that category. Still, I pushed through to the end. It seemed like there was something in here that I felt I owed it to myself to listen to.

like · see review

May 04, 2013 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was not easy to read, but just what I needed. As an artist and writer I struggle with my fear and the doubt of others all the time. I found the chapters on creating ritual/routine and hitting bottom especially helpful. Good examples of people who pushed through their fears to create great work.

like · see review

Feb 26, 2012 Rebecca rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I want to read this because I think I could do with a bit more brilliance. :)

I didn't get all the way through this before it was due back.

A couple observations:
The examples read more like advertisements than in other "self-help" books I've read.
I'm intrigued by the promotion of meditation and routine.

It's been an uneven read and I need to finish this before I can rate it.

26 Feb: I finished this and felt like I had already read it. ? Maybe the ideas were not new for me. This is another book that...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 46 47 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
12 Books - Busine...: Uncertainty - December 2012	45	78	Feb 01, 2013 03:11pm

combine
Other Editions (5)

More editions...

Genres

Business

28 users

Non Fiction

23 users

Self Help

16 users

Psychology

8 users

Self Help > Personal Development

7 users

Language > Writing

3 users

Leadership

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Jonathan Fields

Career Renegade: How to Make a Great Living Doing What You Love

The Long Hard Fix: Create the Critical Mindset That Powers Diet & Exercise Success

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Uncertainty: Turn...

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance
avg rating	preview: Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance Goodreads rating: 3.60 (339 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11674050-uncertainty?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1311282277l/11674050.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11674050-uncertainty?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance by Jonathan Fields[/url]

Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (5)

Genres

Readers also enjoyed similar books

Books by Jonathan Fields

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About Uncertainty: Turn...

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (5)