How to Get Ideas

"Albert Einstein said his best ideas came to him while he was shaving," Jack Foster writes in "How to Get Ideas" (2nd ed.). When I read that line, what could I do? I put the book down for a moment and went to shave. That's about the only time I stopped reading though, and you won't be able to put it down either. For boosting creativity, this book is a lifesaver. Foster's advice is simple -- have fun, think like a child again, open your mind to new possibilities -- but not necessarily obvious. Most of us do the same old things and think in the same old ways. Foster aims to help us spot these unhelpful patterns, then break out with easy-to-follow tips and stimulating exercises. And anecdotes. Foster draws on decades of experience as a top creative hand in major advertising agencies, where he encountered guys and gals driven by curiosity -- people who found out how much a ten-gallon hat will hold (three-quarters of a gallon) and how many times per day an African elephant will defecate (16). Illustrating how to solve a problem by stepping around it, Foster tells the story of the woman who solved the slow-elevator problem in her building -- by mounting mirrors in the lobby. (How did she do it? See P. 134.) You'll discover how to overcome the fears that keep you from thinking creatively ... easy ways to gather information ... combining unrelated facts for new ideas ... the five steps for getting great new ideas ... and how to put them to work for YOU. You'll finish reading "How to Get Ideas" in an hour or two. But you'll benefit from its advice for the rest of your life.

It's a shame that some readers might overlook this book as just another entry into the super-saturated and rarely enlightening field of creativity. Using quotes and examples drawn from the origins of well known - and even life-altering - ideas, creations and inventions, Jack Foster has crafted an educational, entertaining and inspirational book. He gets right to the point, makes you laugh and never descends to the level of psychobabble. He is aided and abetted by illustrator Larry Corby. We [...] recommend this book to all readers - Even if you aren't transformed into an idea fountain, you'll enjoy yourself, and probably learn something.

"I spent 6 years as the Advertising Creative Director for Disneyland and 20+ years in the advertising agency business. I can comfortably say that I know the power of an idea. I know that what most people call ideas aren't real ideas. A real idea is quite rare, very precious, and requires careful nurturing so it can grow into a powerful force. Jack's book outlines the process of what it takes to come up with a real idea - and how to persevere until that idea has a life of its own. Jack's book is a must read if you want to get in (or want to stay in) the idea business."

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!!

Jack Foster's book "How to get ideas" helped our company create the atmosphere that we needed to generate excitement and, of course, ideas. I didn't think it was possible to teach others how to get ideas until I read Foster's book. I used to think that ideas just happened or that some people were naturally more creative then others. Foster suggests excercises and step by step instructions in a format that is fun and easy to read.My biggest temptation was to rip through the pages without taking the time to stop and absorb what I had just read. So I read it twice. Make that three times.I highly recommend this book to anyone who has to get the creative juices going but just doesn't know how. If you're naturally creative but run into an occasional roadblock this book will suggest a detour to get you back on track. 5-stars.