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A review by indieandajean
Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
A friend of mine very kindly added a "self help" square to the reading challenge bingo board knowing full well that I would rather help myself into an early grave than listen to someone preach at me about how to love myself. I already know how to accomplish that and to do so I'd need to stop eating dairy, and like any good lactose intolerant, I'd rather die (hence the early grave).
I knew I'd need to come up with a creative solution, and here it was, staring me in the face, short and cheerful.
I feel like I should stomp my foot and say "there, I did it. I, myself, was not helped by the reading of this book", but that would be a lie. John Cleese is absolutely correct and utterly hilarious when he describes how we have not been taught to be creative, but that it is simple enough to create the conditions under which you can become more creative.
Specifically his sections on mood and distraction ring true to me. Sometimes you are in the mood to think creatively (i.e. when you are looking for a unique way to fulfill a challenge to the letter of the law but in a way that makes you not want to tear your hair out and maybe also in a way that makes your friend put her hands on her hips) and sometimes you have to make yourself feel creative through your environment. I frequently created when I was in college, had free time, and could sit in a space I designed for myself to feel safe and happy in. I struggle to create as much now in the few hours of the day I have between work and keeping house, but it would be easier if I made a space for myself that made me want to create and put my cellphone away for a bit.
Ultimately a lot of what this book says about being creative is just reminding you if things you already knew but were better at employing at a young age. It doesn't suffer for that, and in fact it's nice to have the reminder that you can get back "there" by making small changes. John Cleese's trademark humor helps make this truth easier to swallow.
I'd recommend this one for anyone who is looking to read a self help book that won't make them combust on the spot, someone looking to reignite their creative spark, and for those who just want to chuckle at John Cleese.
I knew I'd need to come up with a creative solution, and here it was, staring me in the face, short and cheerful.
I feel like I should stomp my foot and say "there, I did it. I, myself, was not helped by the reading of this book", but that would be a lie. John Cleese is absolutely correct and utterly hilarious when he describes how we have not been taught to be creative, but that it is simple enough to create the conditions under which you can become more creative.
Specifically his sections on mood and distraction ring true to me. Sometimes you are in the mood to think creatively (i.e. when you are looking for a unique way to fulfill a challenge to the letter of the law but in a way that makes you not want to tear your hair out and maybe also in a way that makes your friend put her hands on her hips) and sometimes you have to make yourself feel creative through your environment. I frequently created when I was in college, had free time, and could sit in a space I designed for myself to feel safe and happy in. I struggle to create as much now in the few hours of the day I have between work and keeping house, but it would be easier if I made a space for myself that made me want to create and put my cellphone away for a bit.
Ultimately a lot of what this book says about being creative is just reminding you if things you already knew but were better at employing at a young age. It doesn't suffer for that, and in fact it's nice to have the reminder that you can get back "there" by making small changes. John Cleese's trademark humor helps make this truth easier to swallow.
I'd recommend this one for anyone who is looking to read a self help book that won't make them combust on the spot, someone looking to reignite their creative spark, and for those who just want to chuckle at John Cleese.