My favorite book about creativity is If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit. 
I recently read Hugh Macleod’s ChangeThis manifesto called
“How to be Creative,” and I think it’s as empowering as If You Want to Write.
Hugh is the guy behind Gapingvoid (“cartoons drawn on the back of business cards”). If you’re facing writer’s block, blogger’s block, programmer’s block, whoever’s block, I recommend that you read Hugh’s essay. It inspired me to truly begin to work on my next book…
“How to Be Creative” by Hugh Macleod
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About the Author: Guy Kawasaki
Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, an online graphic design tool. Formerly, he was an advisor to the Motorola business unit of Google and chief evangelist of Apple. He is also the author of The Art of Social Media, The Art of the Start, APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur, Enchantment, and nine other books. Kawasaki has a BA from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA as well as an honorary doctorate from Babson College.
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I discovered Hugh back in November from reading Seth Godin’s blog and was inspired to challenge my readers to write their own Mid-life Man-i-festo on at my blog Man-o-pause: Providing Midlife Men a Place to Breathe. Here’s the original post: http://www.man-o-pause.com/manopause/2006/11/midlife_manifes.html
if you care to chime in and give Hugh some well-deserved mileage.
Be Creative. Macleod Tells You How.
Hugh MacLeod, brand consultant, copywriter, cartoonist and inner voice critic on human behavior, ego and much of the craziness that occurs on the Web and in business(1), isn’t afraid to tell you How To Be Creative. If there was anyone
Any comments to offer on FilmLoop, Guy?
I mean, they must have been awfully creative to come up with a pitch that got millions of dollars of VC money for such an obviously pointless idea.
-jcr
*****************
John,
The answer is in this book:
http://snipurl.com/17k4o
Guy
What a perfect encapsulation of why we should do new things! I’ve always dug his cartoons but this really puts a shine on his POV.
Nothing like veering off to read a 49 page manifesto in the middle of a busy morning. Thanks.
Writing powerfully, and authentically, is, as is known by those in the journalism and literary fields, about “finding one’s voice”. Similarly, popular blogs reach through the clutter of information in the world by informing, yes, but touching others in a way that stimulates the reader’s voice as well, helps to bring it out.
It’s the power behind the words. The “beingness” behind the message.
Companies that find their voice create great products, like Apple, now with the iPhone. It’s about being tapped into the user experience in an authentic way, but also about using creativity to bring together disparate elements such that one moves beyond the recognized into the possible.
The “aha” moment is when we realize what we knew or almost knew at some level, but didn’t realize that we knew.
It’s the genius of common sense elements previously unrecognized.
What Apples iPhone Teaches Us
Its not how smart Steve Jobs appears to be. Its not that cool tech toys whip up the press. What Apples iPhone teaches us is that rethinking conventional wisdom can have a powerful impact on products, consumers and markets.
As far …
The “art of” series is the part of the blog I appreciate more.
I just wanted to mention “the art of simplicity” as a possible future chapter.
Or, maybe requires a lot more time, “the art of synthesis”.
Another great book about creativity, a little on the softer side, is The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. Even my successful, male, friend found it worthwhile.
H. Taylor
www.moddivorce.com
Guy,
I don’t quite follow you. The book you linked to appears to be all about dealing with uncertainty. What does that have to do with backing a business plan that makes no sense?
-jcr
*****************
John,
Read the book. I know you haven’t because it’s not out yet. All will become clearer although you have already grasped the answer.
Guy
Less Sheeping, More Thinking
I came across this nifty article “How to be Creative,” that captures many interesting points and theories that are applicable beyond the realm of creativ…
Great post, thanks for giving me a great prep for a phone interview I have later this afternoon….gives me perspective on the job vs. startup question…
No, Really … How To Be Creative?
Hugh MacLeod’s ChangeThis Manifesto called “How To Be Creative” is a quick download and a terrific read. MacLeod is the sardonic cartoon illustrator on GapingVoid. I got this link off of Guy Kawasaki’s wonderful marketing blog, How To Change The World.
Geek Smatterings: ScottGu #243, Write, Index Card CEO, Lovecraft, Haley
EVERYONE LOVES SCOTTGU! (EPISODE 243.) It was great to read the Lermanizer give everyone’s superhero
One need not read in order to be creative.
One need only be creative…
Listen to the inner voice.
Have the courage to follow that voice.
… And try to stay sane in the process.
From nothing comes something. It is the nature of all things. It is also the nature of nothing.
Please try to validate or scientifically document the actuality or presence of nothing. It is impossible.
Nothing, therefore, is inherantly something.
Go figure.
This might not help you to be more creative, but it’s sort of amusing nonetheless…
http://creativiciousness.blogspot.com/