Customer Reviews

Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions

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I like Maisel. I found his book The Atheist's Way: Living Well Without Gods useful and, for lack of a better word, inspiring. So much so that I tracked down a couple of his other books and started to read them as well, and added Brainstorm to my Wish List the day I learned it was coming out.

But here's the thing: for someone who is a creativity coach, his body of work does not show a great deal of creativity. Not only do I not seeing Maisel producing notable works of, say, literature or film or art, but even the books he creates tend to be pretty much the same sort of advice over and over, with minor variations in emphasis. As good as I found Atheist's Way, it's hard not to conclude after seeing the efforts that came before or after it that it might not have been just one more marketing trick, one more way to package some advice that is very sound, very excellent--but not very original--for an additional audience. In one sense there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, and I was grateful for the nod to atheists' hard work of creating meaning and wresting meaning from a universe that does not easily yield it.

In another sense, though, it's hard to escape the sarcastic voice in my head when I read "Brainstorm" saying something along the lines of, "Physician, heal thyself." Don't preach to me about the crucial nature of creativity, of productive obsessions, when you have been writing the same book for several years now.

That, however, is a meta-criticism across the entirety of Maisel's output. Taken by itself, Brainstorm is a good book. It is a clear, concise, cogent prod to creativity and actually taking the steps, doing the work, absolutely essential to having the kind of life one can feel good about and proud of. That's a terrifically valuable assertion to make, and the advice is top-drawer. All that being said, I wish that someone as obviously talented as Maisel is could move beyond his obsession for marketing a few good ideas and get a brainstorm about some new contribution to make. I have no doubt it could be momentous.

I really wanted to like this book, and I do - to a point.

There are excellent points made in the book - about choosing the direction of your mental energy, not wasting your obsessions, turning off bad obsessions, and brainstorming with intention. These fall under a general distrust of "scope creep." Very important to keep in mind and something I've recently taken more serious to great benefit.

But the majority of the book is filler - fluff stories and anecdotals that extend the page count and justify the seller's cost I assume. These junk sentences surround, and at times smother, the good and valuable nuggets of wisdom that give life to this author's argument.

This is an okay book with very good points made. Don't waste your time reading every sentence - skim this book, highlight the important segments (they pop) and don't let the rest frustrate you. Accept it for what it is and use the few and good from these pages to your advantage.

In Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions, Eric and Ann Maisel suggest that obsessing over an idea can be healthy, if the idea is related to creativity. Based in psychology, Brainstorm suggests that we waste too much time and energy on unproductive thoughts, and if we force those thoughts out of our brains while at the same time focusing on creative ideas, the possibilities are endless.

Brainstorm is highly theoretical in that it very frequently discusses human potential in ideas and concepts that seem very possible. However, it offers little to no practical application of the concepts. The book's ideas are primarily demonstrated by quotes from individuals who have participated in the Maisels' productive obsession groups, but very frequently is there any explanation as to how any of these individuals achieved their results.

The most practical help within the book are the chapters on determining what is productive versus non-productive and how to choose a productive obsession that is worthy of your heart's strongest desires. Each chapter concludes with a real-life example of a creative individual, famous or not, who succeeded in conquering the boundaries and bringing new ideas to fruition.

Another important chapter in the book explains to the reader that creativity is not necessarily about the end product by rather about appreciating the journey along the way. Focusing too heavily on the end product can impede the natural twists and turns that creativity takes along the way. Perhaps the end product will be quite different from what the individual set out to initially create. And perhaps it will be much more extraordinary.

Without the practical application explaining just how to get to these stages of creative awakening, the book leaves the reader saying something along the lines of, "That's great, and I believe what the authors are saying. But how do I get there?"

The book is also based in science rather than spirituality. So those creative types who believe creativity is strongly linked to a higher power or creative flow of energy in the universe may find this book dry and unemotional. For most artists and creative types, the emotion that comes with creativity is one of the highlights of the journey. Thinking of creativity as strictly scientific without any divine intervention impedes the artist and leaves him asking, "Then what's the point?"

Brainstorm is worth reading and adding to a library of books on creative inspiration. However, it is much less inspiring than other books, like The Artist's Way, for example. For practical examples and real-life how-to exercises, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron would be much more worthwhile investment, as it truly helps someone get out of a creative slump, deal with the issues related to blocked creativity, and move forward into a creative existence.

After hearing Eric Maisel, the author of Brainstorm on an NPR program I purchased the book. It was excellent and very inspiring. If you have ever had an idea to write, this will help you get started. This book gives you tools you stop procrastinating with excellent techniques and suggestions. I bought 6 more copies and gave as gifts.

Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions by Eric and Ann Maisel.

Right away, the authors make a big promise. "If you take my suggestions and accept my challenges, you'll embark on a journey more amazing than any you could contrive by land, sea or air." Does the book deliver? I say yes. The book shows how using the power of "productive obsession" can overcome internal resistance and enable you to use the power of your brain to live more fully and do more.

Productive obsessions stir up the mind. You choose your PO to match your desires, dreams, goals and ambitions; one that taps into your natural abilities, interests and talents. And dream big, stretch your horizons and go all out by allowing your brain to explore the ideas and projects that have habitually been pushed aside. This will lead you to find fulfillment and purpose and thus experience a greater sense of well-being.

Chapters are short. The book is a quick read and organized to show how the PO process works while including real-life examples using testimonials from groups of participants who allowed their brains to following a nagging, recurring need. Overall, their end results trend toward fulfillment in the form of tangible results and increased happiness. The exercise of productive obsessing opened a new world of possibilities enabling participants to express their authentic selves.

If you can get past the initial chapters which delve into the study of psychology and give some context for the scientific basis of the book, then you'll be able to finish the book. If it weren't for this and the odd chapter criticizing public school education, I'd give the book five stars. I found them distracting and of little value to the overall theme and tone.

Bottom line: This book is about being authentic which leads to happiness. If you have a passion for cultivating daisies, cooking with red wine, publishing poetry, building a business, writing a thesis, then go ahead, allow your brain to get busy and get happy and go for big and bold expressions of your obsession!

I recommend the book to anyone who is curious about making more of their life. The authors have created a simple roadmap to guide the reader through this thought- and action-changing plan. Also consult this article in the June 2010 issue of Psychology Today for more insight. [...]

I find the idea of productive obsessions a powerful one. As a writer who also has a busy business life, I know how hard it is for me to keep my creative life on track. The metaphor of productive obsessions and the practical tips offered for keeping a creative idea alive are really very useful. Highly recommended!

I love Maisel's book and this is another great one. Having worked with so many creative people, he clearly knows what he's talking about, and in this book i learned a tremendous amount about the 'right' obsessions--and not just about nurturing them but about how to shut them off when you want to live the rest of life. Highly recommended!

I love this book. I've read a lot about unproductive obsessions but have never read anything before about productive ones. I find the concept really interesting and useful!!

Every creative person I know and work with is obsessed. Psychiatrists want to treat the obsession and make us "normal". Eric and Ann Maisel want us to use our crazy, creative minds to make great art. I absolutely loved this book. Let me be really clear. You need to buy this book now, let it liberate your spirit, and put their plan into practice. Then buy copies for every creative person you know. It's absolutely the finest gift you could ever give.

Jed Diamond, author, Mr. Mean: Saving Your Relationship from the Irritable Male Syndrome.