Designed to Go the Distance

A Survival Guide for the Creative Professional

By: Mitch Dowell

Narrated by: Seumus Michael Maley

Designed to Go the Distance touches upon many career and lifestyle issues specific to those in creative career fields - cultural topics that are not often talked about or adequately prepared for.

Think of this book more as a late-night barstool or coffeehouse conversation between two creatives. A creative pep talk, so to speak. And just like any pep talk in life, this book provides a healthy serving of food for thought as well as a few tips along the way, too.

The perfect addition to the creative professional's library, or even for noncreatives who need to understand the mentality and culture more in depth, Designed to Go the Distance is sure to be an engaging and informative experience.

©2016 Mitch Dowell (P)2017 Mitch Dowell

Designed to go the Distance

This is my first introduction to this author. I really enjoyed this. I'm really not even sure how to categorize it. I think I'd have to process and think about it longer to really be able to be eloquent. I feel the author said it perfectly when he mentions to think of it as like a nice chat in a bar between 2 creative types. He really touches on many relatable things. And, he doesn't necessarily have any hard answers, but yet it was like having a chat about things that might not always have easy answers. Only, the listener doesn't get to chat back. But, I found myself nodding and responding just the same. I recommend it to any creative types. It's an interesting read that reminds you that others share your struggles. Very well done.

This is my first time hearing the narrator, Seumus Maley. And, I thought he did a great job.

Eye opening review of Creative dynamics

This was a very interesting excursion into the dynamics faced by many Creatives. I feel that this would be a very helpful listen for any young Creative and it can provide valuable insights into the social paradigms they will encounter.

I appreciate the perspective and multiple dynamics that the author reviews. I found it to be insightful, constructive and positive. The author presents both introvert and extrovert Creatives and the unique assets that they offer. He then presents the bumps that they may encounter and explains them in a way that the Creative can internalize them without taking them as personal set backs. This is not an easy concept to present and this demonstrates that the author comes from his own creative experiences which further validates the presentation.

The narration was easy to listen to and well paced. It was not overwhelming and gave the listener time to process the concepts presented.

I found this to be a helpful and valuable book, one that I recommend for those who are or know Creatives.

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Advice to avoid burnout

The book goes through advice on how to get the most out of your career as a creative professional, for working with non-creative people and (most importantly) ensuring you don't burn yourself out along the way.

The book is quick, and no-nonsense. Full of good advice and information.

I am not a Creative Professional, but I often work around or with the. So I picked up with book so as a way to get some of their perspective. And it that goal, this book worked well.

A good resource for both creative types and those who have to deal with them.

Narration by Seumus Michael Maley was really great. He brought a non-fiction book to life by breathing some character into it. At one point the text lists out all sorts of things that can wear you don't and as Maley reads it you can feel the pressure of them, and the release as he finishes the list. Certainly a narrator I will keep an ear out for.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Give to spouses/partners of creatives!

Not nearly enough of a good thing, which should be recommendation enough! It's the sole reason I took back a star. If this was a long chat over beverages, I'd be pressing for a second meeting over dinner so we could go a little deeper in places.

Reads like sitting down with big brother over a beverage and hitting on the issues of being a creative soul in the workplace. I'm taking back a star for cutting the conversation a little short. If the author goes for a second edition, I'd love to see the portions on burnout and dealing with difficult clients fleshed out a little further.

Not a how to or lessons. More a positive mentoring with a few gentle warnings of problem areas to avoid.

I highly recommend getting copies for spouses, significant others, and close friends of creative people. Also excellent for newbies just spreading their wings in those fields so they understand what they're getting into, what they need to know, and hints toward handling attitudes they will encounter.

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Great coping tips for creative types

This book provides some good coping tips on how to pursue a life as a creative professional.

A good but short book

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

If you want a cliff notes version of a self help book, this is definitely a good example. For what it was, I think it was pretty good. It was very concise and well narrated. I especially liked the section on receiving criticism. Definitely good for those "right-brained" types in your life.

Good for what it is

Note: In exchange for an unbiased review, the author, publisher, and/or narrator were kind enough to provide an audio version of this book at no charge via AudiobookBlast.

This was a good summary style book on a subject that could definitely be expanded into something bigger. But the summary was pretty well done and concise, with some good, no-nonsense tips and advice that probably worked better than if this book HAD been expanded into something bigger. A quick listen, and decent performance by the narrator. Recommended.

Solid advice without any fluff

This was a great self-esteem help book that might have benefited by a title change to " The Creative Professional: Going The Distance".

The author presents a number of practical tips for creative individuals who are working either in a corporate environment or for themselves. Each chapter was brief and easily digestible; the author made his point and moved on. Often, he gave tips that especially got my attention in terms of practical methods I could put to use right away.

I learned a lot about myself as a creative type by listening to this book, and I believe repeated listens will yield even more since it was too rich in content to absorb all at once.

if the author writes a revision, I hope he will include more personal stories and anecdotes since those best illustrated his points and helped me get to know him better as a person. I found myself craving more knowledge about him, his work experience and war stories from the water cooler.

Overall, a worthwhile self-help book written in a Frank, no BS me-to-you style that is both refreshing and easy on the ears. Great narration, too.

*I was voluntarily this free review copy of this audiobook by the author or publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

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Very interesting information for a non-creative

I really enjoyed this book and found the information offered useful. The best chapter in my mind was the one on receiving criticism, this is something that is always challenging and the a was really clear, simple and useful.

Definitely a useful book whether you're in a creative role or because it offers insight into how creatives think and function and that useful if you know a creative and most of us do.

The narration was excellent, Seumus has a lovely voice and the audio was smooth and clear.

Note: This book was provided free by the author/narrator/publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.