How to Get Ideas (Paperback)

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Product Description
Most people would agree that to get an idea you must first gather all the necessary information; second, work at finding an idea; and third, forget about it and wait for inspiration to hit. The third part’s easy, but hardly anybody tells you how to do the first two. Worse, nobody tells you how to condition your mind before you set out on your journey. And if your mind isn’t idea-conditioned it doesn’t make any difference if you know the steps; you’ll never reach the ideas you’re capable of creating. For, telling a person who isn’t idea-conditioned how to generate ideas is like telling a person with weak legs how to high jump. How to Get Ideas starts by defining an idea as “nothing more nor less than a new combination of old elements.” Then it uses that definition as a springboard to discuss how to get them. The first seven chapters deal with the things you must do to condition your mind to be ripe and ready for idea creation. These fun but effective methods range from “Be more like a child” to “Screw up your courage.” Chapters 8 through 11 explain, in more specific detail, the actions that you make in order to get an idea, looking at, defining the problem, gathering information, and purposefully “forgetting about it.” Lastly, after developing a methodology for creativity and idea generation, the book goes on to explain how to put your ideas into action. This new edition will additionally include 2 new concepts. One that focuses on how to “rejoice in failure” — showing how one can reframe apparent defeat to be a major generative source for powerful new ideas. The other will explain the importance and the details behind the construction an environment that is ripe for idea creation.

About the Author
Jack Foster spent 35 years working in the creative department of major advertising agencies; the first ten as a writer, the last 25 as a creative director. During the 15 years Foster spent as the executive director of Foote, Cone & Belding in Los Angeles, it grew to be the largest advertising agency on the West Coast. Foster had helped create advertising for over a hundred companies including Carnation, Mazda, Sunkist, Mattel, ARCO, First Interstate Bank, Albertson’s, Oreida, Suzuki, Denny’s, Universal Studios, Rand McNally, and Smokey Bear. He won dozens of advertising awards including being named “Creative Person of the Year” by the Los Angeles Creative Club. For seven years he helped teach an advanced class at USC that was sponsored by the American Association of Advertising Agencies, and for three years he helped teach an extension class at UCLA on creating advertising. He earned a BS in business administration from Northwestern University. He currently lives in Santa Barbara, CA

First Sentence
Before we figure out how to get ideas we must discuss what ideas are, for if we don't know what things are it's difficult to figure out how to get more of them. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover

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13 Reviews 5 star:  (12) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.9 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!!, 19 Jan 1999 By A Customer This review is from: How to Get Ideas (Paperback) I'm another teacher who agrees with the one from Omaha. This little book would make an excellent textbook for three reasons: 1. It is fun and easy to read. 2. It is inspirational. 3. It teaches one how to think. And it doesn't make any difference how old your students are. Even ten year olds could learn a whale of a lot. An incredible little book!! Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A "float-like-a-hummingbird, sting-like-a-bee" heavyweight!, 21 Aug 1998 By A Customer This review is from: How to Get Ideas (Paperback) This book is so easy and fun to reay you might think it's a lightweight. Not so! Every page packs a wallop. The "Become-Idea-Prone" chapter alone is worth the price of a dozen other self-help books. Foster not only gives you the keys to creativity, he opens the door to a richer life. A knockout! Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   6 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars "Be Idea Prone....", 7 Aug 1999 By A Customer This review is from: How to Get Ideas (Paperback) ...must be the best advice I have heard on the subject of creativity. This book distills the creative process and illustrates by examples. A very enjoyable and worthy read. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 13 customer reviews...		Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars A great prod towards having new ideas This is a fun book to read and I'm sure was a fun book to write. Jack Foster confesses in the opening pages that there is no rocket science enclosed within its... Read more Published 4 months ago by Steven Unwin 5.0 out of 5 stars A Super Guide to Creativity I give workshops on creativity and innovation and can honestly say that this is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject. Read more Published 10 months ago by Paul Sloane 5.0 out of 5 stars simply fantastic Everyone should read this book. No matter who they are or what they do. This book helps you get your creative juices flowing but also is like a self help book with out the... Read more Published on 23 Oct 2006 by J. M. mort 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent :) I was recommended this book on a training course, and I completely agree with the other reviewers that it is a great book. Read more Published on 6 Sep 2006 by Kat 5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book. One of the best books I have ever read. Everyone can benefit from this book. I recomend it to anyone. Jack Foster is a great writer. Published on 14 April 1999 5.0 out of 5 stars This book will change the way you see and think. Wow! What a find. This is one of those books you'll want to read and re-read and re-read. It's a quick read, it's funny, insightful, and motivating. Read more Published on 29 Jul 1998 5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!! When I read the title I didn't believe it was possible for somebody to show somebody else how to go about the process of getting an idea. But Foster does it. Read more Published on 13 Jul 1998 5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended This book contains very simple rules and instruction that opens the road to rich and creative thinking.The book is simple,deep,funny,informative... Read more Published on 4 April 1998 5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really felt just like going all the way around. How to get ideas is more than a guide book, it is the best option for guys like me who are trying to have a little sucess and... Read more Published on 27 Nov 1997 5.0 out of 5 stars It's Grrrreat! This is truly a great book. I also agree it would be good for Dentists as well as other health care workers, Cab Drivers, etc. Read more Published on 2 Aug 1997 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 13 customer reviews...

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