Is creativity “either/or”.  Either you’re creative or you’re not? Many people seem to think so. In fact, a friend looked at me with a very confused facial expression after I told him that I was reading a book on creativity and then said, “Um, can creativity be taught”. Well, yeah, creative thinking skills can be taught. Everyone has varying levels of creativity, and they can be honed and strengthen. This book teaches you how to do just that.

Click read more to see my notes from “A Whack on the Side of the Head” by Roger Von Oech. 

• Constraints force creativity
• Solving problems vs. recognizing opportunities
• There are often multiple correct answers.
• Sacred cows make great steaks
• Danger of “that’s not my area”
• Be willing to be lead astray.
• Creativity is constructions and deconstructive.
• Ask “what if”
• Dogs bark at what they don’t understand
• Process of manipulating resources: Limits are the artist’s best friend – Frank Lloyd Wright
• Where would you be better served with less rather than more? What problems might having more cause for you?
• Constraints force creativity
• Solving problems vs. recognizing opportunities
• There are often multiple correct answers.
• Sacred cows make great steaks
• Danger of “that’s not my area”
• Be willing to be lead astray.
• Creativity is constructions and deconstructive.
• Ask “what if”
• Dogs bark at what they don’t understand
• Process of manipulating resources: Limits are the artist’s best friend – Frank Lloyd Wright
• Where would you be better served with less rather than more? What problems might having more cause for you?
• The nail that sticks up will be hammered down.
• Go along to get along.
• Fresh meaning & interpretation: You can’t step into the same river twice. – Heraclitus
• What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are.

Buy A Whack on the Side of the Head on Amazon.com