‘Making Ideas Happen’ Review & Giveaway
POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Book Reviews, Contests
I purchase or am given a lot of books. Unfortunately, many of them sit in my “To Read” pile way too long. A couple of weeks ago I was given a copy of Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky (founder of Behance). The subtitle caught my eye – Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality. Like many creatives and big-picture people, I often find it challenging to maintain focus after a project has moved from the idea to the implementation stage.
I decided to skim the first few pages to see what the author had to say. The first few pages turned into a chapter, then two. I grabbed the highlighter next to my bed and began highlighting away and before I knew it I had read the first 75 pages. I felt like the author had set up hidden cameras and had been spying on me. I began to see challenges I faced explained in detail like “reactionary work flow”(acting impulsively on the most burning project rather than being proactive).
Like many creative people, I thrive on being creative and generating creative ideas. I’ve always struggled with the organizational part of my creative ideas though. One principle Scott explains made perfect sense.
CREATIVITY X ORGANIZATION = IMPACT
Organization is just as important as ideas when it comes to making an impact. Using the above equation, let’s imagine someone who is wildly creative but totally disorganized. He would look something like this:
100 (Creativity) X 0 (Organization) = 0 IMPACT
No matter how brilliant the ideas are, without some level of organization, those ideas will never be realized and will never have an impact on the world.
On the other hand, suppose someone is far less creative but slightly more organized:
50 (Creativity) X 2 (Organization) = 100 IMPACT
A shocking and perhaps unfortunate reality is that someone with average creativity but stellar organization skills will make a greater impact than the disorganized creative geniuses among us!
Ok, that’s all well and good, you might say, but how do I become more organized? It’s just not my strength. And you’re right. Organization is something most creatives simply are not good at. I myself struggle with bouncing from creative project to creative project, from idea to idea. I’ve read productivity books before but most are geared towards the business professional. This is the first book I’ve read that is written specifically for Creatives like me and the methods explained not only make sense, they work!
You’ll learn, among other things, how to:
- Scrap useless brainstorming sessions and generate ideas in moderation (more is not better)
- Rapidly refine ideas to keep momentum on creative projects
- Reduce complicated projects to just 3 primary elements
- Develop an action-oriented system that even big-picture creative types can understand and use
I simply cannot rave enough about how great this book is and how helpful it has been for me! If you are a creative person who struggles to turn your ideas into reality and stay organized, do whatever you have to do to get a hold of this book!
WIN A FREE COPY OF MAKING IDEAS HAPPEN! – We Have a Winner…
Because I know so many of you are fellow creatives like me, I knew that I simply had to tell you about this book and help get it into your hands. After reading it I emailed the publisher and asked if I could give away some copies here on my blog. They graciously agreed to send me 5 COPIES to give away! Wanna win one? Here’s how.
To enter, simply leave a comment below and share your biggest obstacle to your creative productivity (Tweet a link to this post for an extra contest entry). I’ll announce the winners later this week.
WINNERS! – Congratulations to Katie, Eddie Siceloff, Mike, Luke Allen and Jason Yarborough who won a copy of this amazing book! I hope it helps you guys as much as it helped me.
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June 16, 2010
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I’ve not heard of this book, sounds like a hidden gem.
of course…puzzle pieces?
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June 16, 2010
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My biggest obstacle to creative productivity is two fold for me…
First – I allow myself (and my team for that matter) to get weighed down in tradition, and automatically dismissing things because “they haven’t worked here before” thinking.
Second – I let the relational aspect of creating and implementing new ideas paralyze my ability to lead into new ways. ex; “What if so and so doesn’t like it”, or “What if our volunteers don’t get behind it”.
I know part of that’s vision, but I also know part of that is because we are stuck doing things like we always do.
New ways to create and ideate would be welcome! Sounds like a great read to me.
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June 16, 2010
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Ohhhh. I want this book!!!
Biggest obstacles: time money and resources that limit the vision
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June 16, 2010
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Dude, it is!! You would love it. Anyone in the creative industry needs to read it
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June 16, 2010
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Are relatives allowed to win?
I may fall into the category you mentioned of average creativity but more organizational skills… but there’s this guy I know who would be the other way around…
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June 16, 2010
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Time sounds so predictable and generic so I won’t say that. So how about, forward thinking. It’s easy for me to get bogged for projects that are due in the next few weeks and not be able to look ahead and really dream for the ones coming in the next few months.
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June 16, 2010
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biggest obstacle is finding the right people to help implement the ideas/vision… capable volunteers are sometimes hard to come by! would love to give this book a read!
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June 16, 2010
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I think that’s a great equation, but I’d substitute “organization” with “implementation”.
One of my goals this year has been to deploy more things… if I don’t work on them AND RELEASE THEM, nothing will ever happen. Better to have half of something than an idea for nothing; exactly what the book suggests.
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June 16, 2010
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My biggest obstacles are time and money! I constantly try to do new things but work and family demands often get in the way!
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June 16, 2010
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My biggest obstacle is actually doing the work once the inspiration wears off. Much easier to work when an idea is new and fresh.
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June 16, 2010
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My biggest obstacle is procrastination. Instead of taking of running with something I sit back and do nothing until the last possible moment, leaving little to no room for brilliance because everything is scattered and unorganized.
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June 16, 2010
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My biggest obstacle is all the fires (usually of someone else’s, but sometimes my own) that keep having to be put out.
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June 16, 2010
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I have new ideas in my head every day. I have recently been working hard to make some of those ideas go from the whiteboard in my mind to the real world. I am interested to see what kind of insight this book might provide.
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June 16, 2010
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My biggest obstacle is distractions. I have two kids that I watch while I work:)
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June 16, 2010
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Sounds like exactly what I need. I am a church planter. I never struggle with the big picture vision and idea. My challenge is always actually doing what I dream about and not beginning to dream about something else.
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June 16, 2010
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My obstacles are two fold. One is getting bogged down on the small details and dealing with the myriad of small updates that have to take place. Second killer of creativity is tradition. This is the way we’ve always done it. As well as all the others listed above.
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June 16, 2010
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1. My eyes get fried looking at the computer screen.
2. Creativity squelchers.
3. Not winning giveaways.
4. Trying to get just the right font.
5. Vuvuzelas.
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June 16, 2010
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Biggest creativity obstacles:
1) When team members get stuck on an idea that isn’t translating or they are the only ones passionate about it
2) Having a team focused around people that you have to walk on eggshells around
3) Personally, changing my working space and environment
4) Working on personal creativity projects that allow me to have my own stipulations and guidelines
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June 16, 2010
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My biggest obstacles are also time and money, but other than that, I struggle to know how to market my ideas. I also have 3 kids that demand my time, so my projects always end up half finished! I start off so excited and gearing up to go, but after the first 5 times I have to stop to change a diaper, feed the baby, or whatever…I lose steam! Sounds like a great book!
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June 16, 2010
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I fall into the “bogged down in implementation” group. Love to dream up ideas and flesh them out, but implementing is another story. I seem to lose focus if implementation takes a long time or goes beyond what I have in my own power to create.
Sounds like an awesome book to help overcome that issue!
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June 16, 2010
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Biggest obstacle…the acceleration of time once you get the creative idea figured out. Seems it is only ‘minutes’ until that deadline arrives.
‘I believe generating ideas in moderation’ may be a way to go.
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June 16, 2010
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I get excited about an idea but if I can’t get rolling on it quickly (and time is always an issue…as well as those *urgent* things) then I lose steam in implementation.
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June 16, 2010
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My obstacle is usually time management. I get derailed by the “fires” that come up.
Looks like a great book!
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June 16, 2010
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My biggest obstacle is just getting distracted easily with other tasks that need to be done as well as the finance hurdle.
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June 16, 2010
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Brad,
One of my biggest challenges is focus. There’s just so much I want to do, I can’t decide what to choose, so I end up doing nothing.
Know what I mean?
Dave
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June 16, 2010
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Sounds like a great book. My biggest challenge is finding people to complement my weaknesses.
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June 16, 2010
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Hi Brad,
first-time commenter, long-time fan.
One of my biggest blocks is looking at a blank screen.
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June 16, 2010
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Great review! The equations hit hard. Much like yourself I’m never at a lack of ideas. Where I lack is the implementation and launching. I never really know where to start to get something off the ground. I have all these ideas in the “hopper” but none launched. Recently laid off I’m now seeing this as a time to develop out some of these ideas. Obviously starting with ones that can generate income! Would love a copy of the book to kickstart my efforts and energy.
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June 16, 2010
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Sounds like a good read.
Honestly, my biggest challenge would be my confidence…
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June 16, 2010
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I’d say my biggest obstacle in creativity is the ever pervasive rabbit chase. I seem to always brainstorm about something that leads me to another idea. And another. And yet another. So much so that we end up spending too much time on other topics besides the one at hand.
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June 16, 2010
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i really need something like this in my life! many ideas, little implementation.
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June 16, 2010
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Sounds like a great book!
Here is my hurdle- I have the ideas, just lack the patience to work out all the details and research.
I would love to read this!
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June 16, 2010
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You’ve hooked me!
Biggest obstacle: no follow-through. I get a giant idea, write it down, dismiss it as “too big.”
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June 16, 2010
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I have all kinds of ideas but sometimes I struggle with follow-through.
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June 16, 2010
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Hey Brad!
I’m not entering the contest … just wanted to say this book will be perfect for my hubby, and I’m picking up a copy at Borders tomorrow for him. He’s the ultimate idea guy and isn’t fond of implementation, but he’s in a place right now where implementation is going to be key.
I was looking for something else special to add to a mix of gifts I’m giving him this weekend. This will be perfect!
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June 16, 2010
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The greatest obstacle to my creative productivity is the tyranny of the urgent. Being a pastor and a father to three very young children can easily invade the time/space set aside for creative activity.
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June 17, 2010
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This book is currently on my Amazon wish-list. Heard nothing but good things about it.
My biggest obstacle: fear of taking a risk
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June 17, 2010
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My biggest obstacles are time and no follow-through.
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June 17, 2010
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Often not having the right ‘team’ around to you cheer you on…. and the dogged-determination to see the concept through to completion!
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June 17, 2010
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Great book!
Biggest obstacle? F E A R!!
I feel hindered by the failure cloud that looms over me!
Also….financially stifled too!
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June 18, 2010
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1. My inner critic has a freaking megaphone most days. It’s hard to hear anything except how far behind I am and how badly my work is going.
2. Kids. Wife. Friendships. Relationships take time, and have total access to me at all times without much restriction. These are good obstacles I suppose but I need more locked-door office hours.
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June 18, 2010
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My biggest obstacle to creativity is that I get too comfortable in my own style. I don’t take the creative risks I should. Instead I go with safe choices.
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June 18, 2010
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Hey Brad – Sounds like a interesting book that looks to break a few mold, which makes it a must read for myself.
My Biggest Obstacle: Is my unrelenting desire to be 100% correct before moving forward and not believing in my own abilities.
later,
joensy
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June 18, 2010
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I saw Scott Belsky present on this at Catalyst. He has some amazing insights.
My biggest obstacle is finding the time and/or resources to make the creative ideas happen.
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June 18, 2010
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this book looks AWESOME!
the biggest obstacle is busyness… doing too much that i never have time to just think/dream/ruminate…
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June 19, 2010
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My biggest obstacle is actually getting anything done. I have too many ideas and end up finishing a very small percentage of them.
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June 23, 2010
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weird, I commented on here but do not see my comment anymore. Oh well. I forgot what I wrote now.
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June 29, 2010
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Woah! Just came back to this post and saw I won. Thanks, Brad! Can’t wait to read it.
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July 9, 2010
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Thanks for being the first person to introduce me to this book, Brad.
It’s come up multiple times in different ways.
I am not a huge fan of Behance, the 99% (great resource for articles on the creative process), and I’m getting Making Ideas Happen for my whole creative team.