A Whack on the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech

This book was suggested by Mark Rosewater who designs a game for a living. He is the lead designer of Magic: The Gathering. Magic is a card game that has 1000’s of interacting cards. Every three months they release a new set of 100-300 new cards. He writes a weekly column all about the creation of the game. He has mentioned this book as being the most influential on his ability to continually come up with new ideas.
The book is broken up into a series of ideas that the typical person has been taught is correct. He then goes to show how that is stifling our creativity. These ideas are as follows.

The Right Answer
That’s not logical
Follow the rules
Be practical
Play is frivolous
That’s not my area
Don’t be foolish
To err is wrong
I’m not creative

Oech focuses on how these ideas are the basis for what we learn as we grow up. When we are a child we don’t succumb to ANY of these ideas, but as we get older we are trained that this is the correct way to think. Our education system focuses on having a right answer. You must think logically. You get in trouble if you don’t follow the rules. Playing has no use. Stick to what you know. Acting silly will get you nowhere. Being wrong is bad. I have no creative skills.

He gives numerous examples on how being creative is the way to go. He repeatedly gives exercises to boost creativity. He encourages you to find the second best answer. The book is filled with many different ways to give you a new point of view on anything. There are word associations, puzzles, problems and games. Each one gives you a chance to take a “Whack to the side of the head” that allows you to be more creative and get out from whatever rut you are in.

The book is well written and an easy read. I always have felt that I am one of the more playful and creative people I know. This book gave me plenty of opportunities to be more creative so I think it would be beneficial to anyone who would read it.

5 Intellectual/Emotional: This book’s focus is to encourage you to try new things and look at them from a different point of view. Honestly, just reading it will have you looking at things in a new way. If you put the ideas to work anyone will be able to benefit from it.

4 Style/Readability: The book is very straight forward and easily digested. It is presented so that you are being written to. The book is written just the way it should be.

2 Long Term Impact: This book has a very specific goal. So if you are interested in this it is great, but most people probably won’t care to look at this book.

11 out of 13. If you find yourself stagnant in a job, unhappy with the way you are doing things or are just looking for a way to jump start your life this book is well worth your time. It can give you the chance to look at anything in a new way and in the end be a more creative person.

Keep Turning Pages