The concept of work-life balance is anything but foreign in today’s hyperconnected society, but what if finding the elusive balance lies not in tuning out, but instead bringing one more key element into our lives? In his new book The Habit of Noticing: Using Creativity to Make a Life (and a Living), slated for release on Thursday, September 13 at the Business Innovation Factory (BIF) Summit in Providence, R.I., Austin-based singer-songwriter Darden Smith says the secret lies in embracing and using your creativity every day..
Now, in his most adventurous and deeply personal project to date, The Habit of Noticing is Smith’s collection of stories that serves as a personal manifesto on the value of art and creativity in daily life. A guidebook for those seeking to bring more creativity into their daily life, Smith dives deep into his inspirations and influences, the importance of commitment and endurance in tough times, and the beauty that comes from finding meaning in your work and your life
“From my experience, working artists are people with heart and passion; hard workers, self-starters, doers,” says Smith. “They wake up in the morning looking for a way to make a difference, to tell a story. They follow their words and dreams with action. They create.”
Darden Smith is a singer-songwriter based in Austin whose 30-year career redefines what it means to be a musician. In addition to 15 critically acclaimed albums, Smith continues to break new ground using the craft of songwriting in education, entrepreneurship, and in service to others. He is the founder and creative director of SongwritingWith:Soldiers, a nonprofit that pairs award-winning songwriters with veterans and service members in retreat settings to craft songs about combat and the return home. Smith began writing songs the age of ten, and has been recording since 1986. His music remains rooted in the songwriting traditions of his home state of Texas, while reflecting influences of rock, folk, and Americana rhythms and melodies. Described by All Music Guide as "a singer-songwriter blessed with an uncommon degree of intelligence, depth, and compassion," Smith continues to write songs and tour across the U.S. and Europe, leads songwriting workshops in the US and the UK, and works with major companies in key areas (conflict resolution, team building, innovative thinking) using songwriting to inspire creativity and collaboration within the traditional work environment. He has delivered keynote speeches for companies large and small, speaks at conferences on creativity and collaboration.
Warren Zanes is an American musician and writer. He has been the executive director of Steven Van Zandt's Rock and Roll Forever Foundation since 2008 Zanes is a former member of The Del Fuegos.
