Tag Archives: Imagine: How Creativity Works
Imagine by Jonah Lehrer – My Takeaways
At the end of each of my book synopsis presentations, I give a few of my takeaways for the books I present. For Imagine: How Creativity Works, I had a much longer list than usual – sixteen takeaways. So, here they are. If you want to be more creative, then take a good look, and ask, “what do I need to do differently – what changes do I need to make in the way I work?”
• Sixteen “lessons” (some behaviors to adopt – a longer than usual list of take-aways):
1) Paint the walls blue (but hire an accountant wearing red)
2) Make people interact
3) Connect more. Collaborate more. A lot more.
4) And, to connect, you need lots of face-to-face interactions. There is no substitute for face-to-face! (proximity matters a lot!)
5) If the idea has not come at all, get off task – way off task
• take walks; take showers; have a drink or two…
6) If the idea has come, get focused – very focused… (until you need another idea – then get off task again)
7) Embrace – insist on – debate! (traditional brainstorming, focusing on the positive only, does.not.work!)
8) Get outside. Way outside! – and collaborate with outsiders; lots of outsiders.
9) Play a little (or a lot) – At least, look with new, outsider, child’s eyes… (familiarity/jargon – these are enemies of creativity)
10) Only after expertise is developed can you stray from the traditional, and improvise… (think Yo-Yo Ma). Thus, expertise precedes great breakthroughs…
11) Travel – far away from home… (and pay attention when you travel)
12) And, aim for diversity (and weirdness) in your connections
• embrace the city
13) Walk faster…
14) Treat breakthrough performers more like athletic superstars
15) Get much better at your powers of observation
16) Provide “15 percent time” (or its equivalent) – use your 15 percent time to play around with new ideas……
Coming for the May First Friday Book Synopsis – Imagine by Jonah Lehrer & Take the Stairs by Rory Valden
On April 6, we began our 15th year of the First Friday Book Synopsis. We have presented two synopses, two books a month, every month, for now over 14 years. A woman recently told me that in her circles, our event is described as one of the premiere networking events in Dallas, because of its combination of great participants, engaged in terrific conversations while making valuable connections with each other, as they receive the content of the book presentations. Content + conversation + good food, in a beautiful setting, all in a fast-paced breakfast meeting. And, this great experience respects your own busy time demands – we start at 7:00 am, and you can leave right at 8:05, and get right back at the challenges of the day.
For May 4, we have chosen two good books. I look forward to presenting my synopsis of Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer. Mr. Lehrer has been interviewed and profiled in many places since the publication of his book. It is, as they say, generating “buzz.” I am just getting starting on my reading of the book. Bob Morris, our blogging colleague, really liked this book, and ended his review of it with these words: “Bravo! I also thank him for all that I have learned.” Read Bob’s review of this book by clicking here.
Karl Krayer will present his synopsis of Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory Valden, a book with an always-needed reminder to develop and practice self-discipline.
You will be able to register soon from this web site for our May 4 event. If you are in the DFW area, come join us, bring a bring, join in the conversation, and keep learning with us at the First Friday Book Synopsis.
You can click on the flier below for a full and printable view.
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