The Do It Yourself Lobotomy: Open Your Mind to Greater Creative Thinking

Anyone who utilizes creativity on a regular basis will appreciate this book. It arrived promptly and has become a great reference book for me.

All these tips on how to boost creativity are relevant for any career in today's world, seeing as a lot of the work that is done nowadays is mental, as opposed to physical labor. This book is really a guide to creative thinking that doesn't need to be read in order because Monahan gives his readers many possible paths that go different directions depending on what the results of the "Creative IQ" test were, which random facts one decides to read ("Wooo: Wisdom out of order), or which "Lobotomy Files" (mini case histories of people who have experienced a "Do-It-Yourself Lobotomy") one goes through. Practicing the various creative thinking strategies this book presents will train the mind to be naturally more creative and makes it easy to come up with fresh ideas. I meditate from time to time and it seems to help my creativity, which makes sense because the main goal of meditation is to clear the mind of all thoughts, therefore creating space for new thoughts (or really just giving a new perspective on things). By applying the creative strategies discussed in this book whenever possible and not over-thinking during the process, creativity will flow through you.

GREAT for advertising beginners

I asked my students to write book review on a book they choose from a handful suggested titles. This was one of them. It is an easy read (some were not!) and I think the basic premise might be really useful for college freshmen. Too many want a formula, a template (5 paragraph essay), THE right answer. In creative writing there aren't any. The groups that read this book did presentations on the key points and seemed to get something new from them. I agree with many of the critics of this book that the whole thing could be 15 pages and readers would get a more succinct overview of some useful strategies. Still, their papers on the book weren't all that creative. What does that say? Hmm...

The author, Tom Monahan, was the cofounder and former creative director of Leonard/Monahan and is now President and Head Creativity Coach of Before and After, Inc. With a client list that includes names like AT&T, ABC Sports, The Wall Street Journal, McDonalds, Sears and others you know that he has a proven track record.In this book he takes the reader through a series of techniques to break through the rust of thinking the way you always have in the past and open new directions in creative thinking. Whether looking for a truly different solution to a problem, a unique way to open a new market, or anything else that requires a new approach this book will teach you to break loose from old patterns and embrace new ideas that you never knew existed.A truly enlightening piece of work, you will not be disappointed. Access your creative self and see how it changes your world or at least your perception of it.

I use this book often to help get my creative juices flowing. The exercises are insightful and challenge you to think outside the box.When working through the exercises, you have the opportunity to skip around. I recommend that you do so. Use what you can when you need it and come back often.The only down side are the external reference links have either changed or disappeared, which happens over time. I did so want to tap into that market that existed when it was first published. Alas, I found it a bit later than most.

This book takes a down-to-earth approach to an elusive subject, with lots of real world examples of how unmysterious creativity can be in everyday life and in business. It's fun to read. Lots of inspiration. Yes, the "thinking tools" are a bit contrived, but I think that's the author's point; when you're stuck, and inspiration isn't coming, maybe a little calculated thinking is what's needed. I have already used some of these thinking methods with great success, but the guidance and motivation has been even more valuable. I'd love my boss, coworkers and clients to read Lobotomy.This is not an advertising book, as the author states and shouldn't be judged that way. It's a book about creative thinking that can be applied to anything - even advertising.