Customer Reviews

The Power of Thinking Differently: An imaginative guide to creativity, change, and the discovery of new ideas.

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I work in the medical field and love taking care of others. Recently I've decided to go back to school to pursue a higher degree but have been in conflict with balancing work and school. Having been out of college for several years, school work seems more challenging than I remember. I was having doubts regarding whether or not my goal was attainable when I decided to attend one of the author's workshops. The workshop was great so I bought the book and it has completely changed the way I look at problems I encounter. It taught me how to reframe the obstacles I encounter in school, work and in life! The author changed my whole perspective! I definitely recommend this book to others who feel like they're not living the life they have always envisioned for themselves

Creative thinking is an ability that needs to be utilized in so many careers. "The Power of Thinking Differently: An Imaginative Guide to Creativity, Change, & The Discovery of New Ideas" discusses creative thinking and encourages readers to overcome the barriers to creative thinking and gain a better sense of humor, which Javy Galindo writes are keys to the creative thinking process. With chapters on brainstorming in groups, "The Power of Thinking Differently" is a solid and highly recommended read for those who want to best understand how to put their mind to work.

Great book, both for content & entertainment value. A 'must read' for all employers & employees at all levels. As a small businessman in the food industry for 3 decades, creativity & fostering its atmosphere brings about multiple but channelled energies that bring about efficiencies in purchasing, production, quality control, marketing and most of all- new products. The President & his boys in congress ought to be reading this book amidst the health insurance issues that face our great country.
-Boycie Javier
Houston, Texas

Wow!

I had been stuck for so long thinking the world worked a certain way. I was in a job that I didn't love, trying to attain money and status, and was living a life that was devoid of any spark, or meaning. I just thought that's how life was supposed to be. Fortunately, somebody introduced me to this book. What I found out is that the world is always more than I think it is. There is more to life then the rat race or the accumulation of wealth. The Power of Thinking Differently showed me how I was programmed by conventional wisdom to experience the world a certain way, but that I biologically had the ability to see the world differently; beyond groupthink and common sensibilities.

I use to think creativity and creative thinking was only for artists or entrepreneurs. Instead, it turns out that the same creative faculties used for artistic expression, innovation, and insight are also the same faculties that will enable us to see new possibilities and meaning in life. The book goes into detail giving an explanation on how we get stuck in thought patterns and habitual behaviors, and provides some enlightening examples about how this works and the mental distress this causes. Then, the author describes the science and psychology of the creative process to show us the path to breaking free of these habits of thought and behavior. Every chapter blew me away with some insight into how the human brain operates. I never thought of myself as being a creative person, but this book convinced me that I was born as one.

At first, when I was given the book, I thought it would either be some self-help babble or some really dense, dry psychology book. Man was I wrong. It explains some complex, mind blowing concepts in an easy to understand way, and does it with lots of humor.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to live a more interesting, meaningful, and inspired life!

Here are some other similar books I've enjoyed recently:
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Outliers: The Story of Success
Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention
Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques (2nd Edition)
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
The Artist's Way
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life
Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step (Perennial Library)
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

Loved this book.
The author explores the psyche and tries to blow the doors open for creative inspirations.

The uniqueness of this book makes this a superior read for anyone exploring and producing on a regular basis out-of-the-box ideas and changes.

Interesting how the author's background in electrical engineering melds with the arts sciences.
Well worth the time and money.

I found out that in the paperback, 3-4 words are partially printed on page 132, 148, 164, 178 and 194. Since I can guess the original words, I did not request for exchange. I will provide my book review later. So far, this book is very inspirational.
morrie

Coming out of undergrad with an accounting degree, I always saw things black and white. I recommend this book for those looking for an easy and entertaining read that will help your creative and innovative thinking.

I'm of two minds about this book: on the one hand, it provides an excellent primer on how creative thinking works. Bringing in influences from neuroscience, art, psychology, literature, and other sources, Galindo explains a remarkably solid framework of how we come to think in lock step, and why people who break that pattern succeed in business, art, and life. As a survey of thought discoveries, this book works well.

On the other hand, Galindo takes a remarkably long time to get into the mechanics of nonconforming thought. Though he does a remarkable job of the "what" and the "why," his "how" doesn't start until after page 150, and even then is pretty scanty. It's easy to say that we should "reframe," "mix & match," or "be a little nutty"; it's a different order of beast to actually help us achieve these goals.

On balance, Galindo's framework is engaging and entertaining. But his praxis leaves a lot to be desired. He says little you can't find in works by writers like Edward de Bono or, to a lesser degree, Oliver Sacks. I recommend Galindo's book if you need to understand, or persuade others, of why creative thought and innovative insight matter. But keep shopping if you want a guide to put these principles into practice.