Friday 16 November 2012

The Feel Good Factory on Creative Thinking

The Feel Good Factory on Creative Thinking explores the techniques used to spark ideas that free our minds. It is an inspiring read, full of ideas for tapping into and making the most of your creativity.

It starts with a useful quiz to explore your attitude to procrastination and balancing your tasks. It then goes on to offer:

* Advice on time management, making 'to-do' lists, breaking tasks down into manageable chunks, how to identify your optimal thinking environment

* The importance of lifelong learning, research and creative problem solving and the value of being silly and allowing yourself to make mistakes

* Advice on finding and capturing creative ideas, how to improve your innovation skills and how to avoid information overload

* The importance of storytelling

* The value of networking


Some quotes from the book

'A big part of being creative is not simply about being inspired; it's about simply getting things done'

'It's much better to greet the new day with a messy desk and a clear head rather than the other way round' (though the book does emphasise that de-cluttering your space can de-clutter your mind too!)

'Deadlines help you to be decisive'

'Think of your brain as being a bit like a computer - a lot of processing goes on in the background and that needs downtime'

'It's important to develop a sense of curiosity about everything'

'Pay attention to your intuition'

'Most creative ideas are just.... two or more elements connected in a new or novel fashion'

'You only ever learned to walk after a lot of falling over'

'Many of the greatest inventions were accidental'

The Feel Good Factory on Creative Thinking is published by Infideasbooks.

The book also recommends Pinterest as a useful social networking site and a place for collating visual images to inspire your work, so for better or worse I've now joined Pinterest.  

As ever, red text contains hyperlinks that take you to other pages, where you can find out more

Cross posted here

12 comments:

Caroline Gill said...

I was about to join Pinterest, too, until I read this on Rosie's LeavesnBloom site ... My jury is still out ... Any thoughts, Juliet?

A really helpful review, thank you.

Caroline Gill said...

Whoops, forgot to check the link had worked, so I hope it's there! Sorry ...

Cuby said...

Sounds as if the title would draw the creative mind beyond the cover. Perhaps one to look for in the library.

Crafty Green Poet said...

Caroline - Thanks for the link, it did work and yes there are issues with copyright with Pinterest. It's a tricky one....

Ms Sparrow said...

Sound like a lot of valuable advice.

RG said...

Curiosity .. so many folks could do so much more if they were more curious like kids I think.

There is a feature on a radio station I listen to some - called Why Didn't I Think of That. When they talk to the person(s) that thought up this slick thng, a lot of those ideas come out too!

eileeninmd said...

Juliet, sounds like great advice and book review. Have a wonderful weekend!

Carol Steel said...

This seems like a good read. I'm going to buy a copy. Thanks for the review and the sharing.

Tommaso Gervasutti said...

How true...the importance of letting oneself be silly and allowing oneself to make mistakes. The only way to fight against them.
And, for those like me, to fight against feeling uselessly shy and unnecessarily ashamed...

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Juliet,

Thank you for sharing the book review and sounds like a lot of good advice.
Happy weekend

hugs
Carolyn

Dr. Cheryl Carvajal said...

Totally agree with the deadlines thing. I love deadlines.

And lists... but you know that already.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I swear if I did one more thing on the computer I wouldn't have time to breathe, let alone be creative. (But I am old and slow -- I'm sure Pinterest will work for you!)