Mindspace

Technological proliferation has expanded the potential for creators like never before. For very little comparative investment, musicians can do live performances for online audiences, photographers and videographers can create beautiful media, and writers can share ideas and conduct interviews in real-time. Truly, we''re in the middle of a golden age for creativity. But if that''s true, why doesn''t it feel that way? While the tools used to generate creative output are more widely...
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Technological proliferation has expanded the potential for creators like never before. For very little comparative investment, musicians can do live performances for online audiences, photographers and videographers can create beautiful media, and writers can share ideas and conduct interviews in real-time. Truly, we''re in the middle of a golden age for creativity. But if that''s true, why doesn''t it feel that way? While the tools used to generate creative output are more widely available, as society becomes increasingly connected and dependent on these tools -- there is less time available to let our minds wander, purposefully. The result is a sort of creative paradox, where it is both easier and more challenging to foster creative expression.

In "Mindspace," author Bill Connolly explores the innate and varied benefits of creative thinking, including its impact on personal identity and growth, its ability to breed empathy, and its potential to help solve big global problems. Through third-party research, personal anecdotes, and interviews with creative leaders across a wide spectrum of entertainment and broader industry, Connolly will uncover a set of master techniques for readers to reignite the creative spark that is so often extinguished as we enter adulthood. This book is for painters, sculptors, actors, writers, musicians, filmmakers, podcasters, gardeners, advertisers, designers, teachers, chefs, executives - and everyone in between. As he notes, "We feel most purposeful, most clear-minded, and most alive when we are creating."

"Mindspace" is a blueprint for creativity in a modern world.

What people are saying about the book:

"In Mindspace, Connolly takes the essence of creativity - what it is, what gets in its way and why we need it as individuals and as a society - and brings it to life in a way that makes it feel he is in the room with you having a conversation. He backs everything up with evidence from industry, academia and his own research, but the book is never textbook boring. If you can''t go have a beer with him to discuss the importance of creativity and how to practice it, this book is the next best thing."
- Andrew Aylesworth, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing, Bentley University

"Bill Connolly has written an engaging reflection on the topic of creativity, its role in the world and, particularly, our private lives. In a clear and elegant writing style, he blends personal observations with insights from academic research, conversations, film, and a variety of other sources. The result is an enjoyable and well-balanced book."
- Freek Vermeulen, author of Breaking Bad Habits, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the London Business School

"Connolly''s argument about the need for habit and routine will resonate with anyone who has learned to be -- or who wants to be -- creative. As he notes, making some tasks ones that can be performed without having to think much about them leaves more ''mindspace'' for creativity."
- Nancy Napier Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emerita, College of Business and Economics, Boise State University

"Through clear and inviting language--and backed by immense research and experience--Bill''s done a fantastic job of teaching you not only how to push yourself, but others when it comes to using creativity to fuel your success. He uses his personal anecdotes and the stories of others to drive his point home. If you want to grow your career and your brain, buy this book."
- Andy Boyle, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of Adulthood for Beginners: All the Life Secrets Nobody Bothered to Tell You

"[The] creative power of human beings is unlimited. No problem is beyond solution if we apply our creative power. Bill Connolly''s book has attempted to draw our attention to it."
- Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Laureate, Founder, Grameen Bank, Chairman, Yunus Centre