A Whack on the Side of the Head; How to Unlock Your Mind for Innovation

by Roger Von Oech

Who is Heraclitus, and what is he whacking, you ask? Heraclitus was an ancient Greek philosopher, widely considered the world's first creativity teacher. The deck has 32 cards, each containing a "whack," or eye-opening exercise based on the epigrams of Heraclitus. They will spur creative thinking and allow you to look at a problem from a fresh perspective. Created by Roger von Oech, author of the best-selling book, A Whack on the Side of the Head and the Creative Whack Pack.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Self Help, Psychology, Writing, Leadership, Art

Paperback

First published February 1, 1973

About the author

Roger von Oech is an American speaker, conference organizer, author, and toy-maker whose focus has been on the study of creativity.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to always come back to. When I am in a slump and not feeling "it" I turn to Roger Von Oech. A mentor 16 years ago highly recommended this book. It is one of the well worn books on my shelf!

[Tatjana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a couple of hours.
It's an older book that has been on my shelves for an age. Maybe two ages. It's the 1983 version and lacks the slick, over-designed look of today's books. It has comments by people relevant at the time. In fact, it was from a time when our industries were still relevant. Before we started truly believing that Americans are no longer innovative industrialists.
This book made it clear to me what thinking has made it so.
This book also made it clear how I've participated in the way of thinking that prohibits true innovation.

It's a marvel. Really. Everyone needs to pick up a copy of this book and read it. There's nothing startlingly new in it. Even the way it's illustrated is a little old school and kitschy.
It says everything you need to know succinctly without dragging on and on. It keeps it simple. You will want to start every meeting with puzzles after reading this book. It will make you consider your black and white thinking, even if you think you don't have any. You will go for a walk/run/swim/bike ride with your eyes wide open, excitement filling your brain like you've suddenly woken up after a really long nap. You will feel ready to DO not just to study.

You will close your laptop and go make something.

You will.

Seriously. Read. This. Book.

[Steven Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because Mark Rosewater (of Magic the Gathering fame) recommended it in a number of his podcasts.

It's sort of a self-help book for people who want to be more creative. Or a study in the whys and wherefores of creativity. And if you're truly in a position where constantly reinventing your approach to become essentially institutionally (or even industrially) creative, this book has a lot of great approaches.

For the rest of us... It's nice to look back on when we're stumped about stuff, I suppose... But I'm not certain I take anything away from it directly. Maybe the next time I'm stumped on something it'll help, but in all honesty, it's been quite a while since I've been that kind of stumped. Perhaps rather than "more creative", what I truly desire in my own projects is "more artistry", which this book doesn't really address.

Anyway: it's got some nifty thoughts. It'll sit in the back of my mind for a while, and I probably won't trade the book away, so that I can come back to it in the future. It spoke truth, not shyster-ism, to me.

3 of 5 stars.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is supposed to be a classic book on creativity, but it seems a bit light for my taste. There are much better books out there about the creative process, and better ways to inspire creativity, than this one. The only bright note is the inclusion of Heraclitus' enigmatic sayings at the end. My favorite is number twenty: "The barley-wine drink falls apart unless it is stirred." Now, that should get you thinking....

[Rishabh Bhardwaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the only *practical* self-improvement books I've ever come across that puts in an effort to make you think! It's like reading a 9th grade school textbook, except on a very interesting subject. The author has put questions after each chapter, and he actively asks you to stop and think.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

False advertising. Did not manage to find any volunteers to whack on the side of the head with this book.

It’s a fun one and probably worth returning to for sparks of creativity, but wasn’t deeply profound.

[Melissa Stebbins]

This book will change the way you think.

[Karen Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the "how to" books I've read, this is the one that really stuck with me. I often think of the simple principles so vividly presented in this book, and employ them at every opportunity. Stuck in a rut? Drive a different way to work, take a different set of stairs, shop the grocery store in the opposite direction of the way you normally go. Most memorable is the exercise in looking at common, every day experiences in a new way. For example, a revolving door as a merry go round. I read this book more than 20 years ago, but still smile every time I enter the "merry go round" at the office. Sometimes we just need a "whack on the side of the head".

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for anyone - teachers, office workers, students, salesmen - anyone can get something helpful out of spending a little time with this book. It gives you methods for looking at problems from outside the box - WAY outside the box in some cases! But it can help you break out of the, "we've always done it this way..." solutions to problems!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly an awesome book I read after it was given to me from a work colleague. It helps you look at things differently, problem solve differently, etc. I think this would be a great tool for anyone in any field of work- from real estate, to legal work, to being a stay at home mom. It's an easy read and one that can be read quickly-

[Kressel Housman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read with good advice and pictures that made my kids laugh. I got more out of Becoming A Writer since that was more tailor-made to my interests, but the basic idea is the same. You need your inner editor, but sometimes you have to tell it to shut up. The assessment of how education squelches our creativity was right on!

[Wiebke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed reading it a lot, and while none of the ideas where new to me, the author reinforced my knowledge about how to spark creativity. He also packaged the creative thinking process in good analogies (put yourself in 4 different roles) and made things clear by using many examples.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for everyone. If God is the Creator and we're made in His image, then to be creative is to be more like God. This book is a fun and practical guide to awakening and encouraging your creative side.

[Eric Maziade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved that one. I bought a few extra copies and gave to a few of my most creative friends.

This book gives a few tricks to unlock creative potential, as well as guidelines on how and when to use your creativity.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was included in my book: The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. www.100bestbiz.com

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read it every few years. It makes me feel centered and is a wellspring of great ideas.

[Rhys Leclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very approachable in that you can basically open to any chapter and jump right in. Also check out the "Creative Whack Pack" cards, great for brainstorming.

[Cristobal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book filled with practical exercises on how to unleash creative thinking. It's a book that merits more than one thoughtful reading.

[Carl King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic. I don't know what else to say, but definitely read this if you intend to have a creative career.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of tips and strategies for jump-starting your students' creativity.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good ideas on how to be creative and improve your creative thinking.

[Milan · Rating 3 out of 5]

treba otkljucati sledece kljuceve
mentalni kljucevi
pravi odgovor
to nije logicno
prati pravila
budi praktican
igra je losa
to nije moja oblast
ne budi glup
izbegavaj nesigurnost
gresiti je pogresno
nisam kreativan

ljudi nadju ono sto traže
you need to generate a lot of ideas in
order get some good ones.
promeni pitanje da bi generisao vise odgovora trazi drugo resenje
generisi puno ideja za resavanje problema
kada nema sunca možemo da vidimo zvezde Heraklit
an imaginative one and a practical one
“Thinking something
different.”
“Getting something done
What does your gut tell you to do?
napravi metaforu za svoj sledeci problem koristi danas na poslu
seme koje se ponavljaju paterns
vracaj se unazad kada dodjes do dead enda ili kreni od pozadi
break the rules
svaki cin kreacije je prvo cin destrukcije
look into the past to see the future
pitanje what if ili ti sta ako ? onda odgovori na to pitanje
sta bi nasi velikani uradili
sta ako si ti sama ideja ?
big idea asa as steping stone idea ideja koje nas vuku prema pravcu
kada dobijamo ideje tokom posla vezbanja setnji neke rutine
kada su nam potrebna resenja pred neki bitan rok
kada ne radimo nista kada se igramo
igraj se kada god mozes
Those who approach life like a child playing a
game, moving and pushing pieces, possess the power
of kings.”
DODAJ SEBI PENALE RADI SAMO SA JEDNOM RUKOM ILI RADI SA POVEZOM PREKO OCIJU ILI NA OSNOVU PLANA
TIME CONTROL
NAUCI PAUZU
“I never try to solve a problem by trying to solve
it.”
GRADOVI NA SLOVO M NOVA RESENJA SE DODAJU KAKO STIŽU ODGOVORI
problem skaliranja problema torta za dvoje
koristi ruke
seci jabuje krompir
ljusti nesto pravi origami
crtaj pisi
radi sklekove
stoj na rukama
sviraj instrument
oblikuj glinu
rucne aktivnosti sivenje carving wood sviranje klavira sufling cards
bacanje bejzbolke
masage
kao sto mozak kaže ruci sta da radi tako i ruka kaže mozgu sta da radi
drawing the golden
misteriozni broj dvanest
problem specijalizacije
"tranzistor je bio plav"
mesanje oblasti radi dobijanja novih ideja veza sa metaforom
Lovers of wisdom must open their minds to very
many things.”
“Expect the unexpected,
or you won’t find it.”
traži na ociglednom mestu
objasni svoj problem ili nesto sto znas sto je ocigledno
pas koji nije lajao sto nedostaje a trebalo bi da je tu
zakon socijalnog pritiska
pitaj budalu sta misli budala kroz istoriju budala misli van okvira vecine
budi kao budala smej se problemu
“A wonderful harmony is created when we join
together the seemingly unconnected
uradi stvari suprotno od ocekivanog all warfare is deception
nature concils its nature
Exercise:
Take one of your favorite pieces of common sense and roast it.
You might try some of the following
Only the paradox comes anywhere near to
comprehending the fullness of life.”
create your own oracle
have a question that oracle can answer
“While we’re awake, we shareone universe, but in
sleep we each turn away to a world of our own.”
koristi svoje snove
ask the question for a problem before going to sleep
opisi svoje snove
The cosmos speaks in patterns.
The sun is new each day
greske nas usmeravaju ucimo preko gresaka
da li uspeh dobro stvar dali uspeh moze da nas uspava da li uspeh moze da bude poguban ?
arogancija stiže pred pad
moc uverenja ako verujes u nesto to ce i biti tako
bitno je da mislis da si nesto
dobijanje ideja pred rok ili kada sam bez problema
its the small things
vezanost za svoje ideje
ego je cuvar od spoljinh ideja
pitaj druge sta ne vidim
biti u konfuziji je dobar znak
igrati se sa metaforama napraviti naviku od ovoga
play the fool ask questions that nobody whants to ask
ne plasiti se odbijanja u ranim fazama svog projekta
pronalazim insipiraciju u sebi ali takodje pazim da moj ego ne naraste previse
The worlds of thought and action overlap. What we think has a way of
becoming true
If you want to be more creative, believe in the worth of your ideas, and
have the persistence to continue building on them. With this attitude, you’ll
take more risks, and break the rules occasionally. You’ll look for more than
one right answer, explore for ideas outside your area, tolerate ambiguity, be
foolish every now and then, play a little bit, engage in asking “what if”
questions, and be motivated to go beyond the status quo. And finally, you’ll
be able to “whack” yourself into doing all of these things.
cetiri uloge istraživaca
istraživac
umetnik sudija ratnik
Explorer
Your
is your role for searching for new information and
resources;
Artist
Your
is your role for turning these resources into new ideas;
Judge
Your
is your role for evaluating the merits of an idea and
deciding what to do with it; and,
Warrior
Your
is your role for carrying your idea into action.
do something risky every day
have a stake in everything

[Paul Groos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sure that once upon a time this was a groundbreaking book. I’m sure that back then the language was modern, the example stories original and eye opening, the pictures beautiful. Now the pictures are downright scary, the whole layout and typography are very, very eighties, the example stories have mostly been used to death, the language is a sort of colloquial, yet pedant speech and the whole set of ideas very much feels like I’ve read them countless times before. Nothing really bad, not much good either.
I always notice with creativity books how they’re catered towards businesses. Generating ideas, solving problems, working on projects, achieving goals seem the main focus. The emphasis on positive psychology is chilling (because if you don’t succeed, it’s your own fault) and very outdated. Working in a fully creative industry, I find some value in the idea of “whacking” yourself now and then. Most of the book, however, is of little use. Soms of the stories were nice, some of the ideas well conceived and clearly and concisely explained, earning the book a couple of stars. Not a total waste of time, but not worth it to claim shelf space for any length of time.

[Tom Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a fair amount of posts on LinkedIn, Medium and other sources on productivity and creative thinking (which is probably why I don't get around to being productive). So, when I see that this book, written 35 years ago, espouses the same themes of listening to your unconscious, bending the rules, being willing to be foolish, and so many other axioms of accessing your creative self, I understand that these contemporary scribes have been drawing on the original gangster of innovative thinking, A Whack on the Side of the Head.

The prevailing "fail faster, fail often" ethos that's got the throat of Silicon Valley has its primordial soup here too. I'm really to be disappointed when I find out that Mark Twain stole all of his lines from Pliny the Elder. Anyway, lots of good exercises in perspective and challenging the status quo here. And the illustrations have a combination of the creepy and the amusing you can't buy now. Get whacked!

[Helge Reikerås · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

It's packed with great advice, tips and tricks and techniques for how to be more creative.

Some people are naturally creative I suppose and I thought myself to be on the other side of that. However, this book has a "everybody" can be creative feel to it that has persuaded me otherwise which I'm really happy about.

The book itself is structured into 10 "blockers" to creativity 1. The right answer, 2. That's not Logical, 3. Follow the Rules, 4. Be Practical, 5 Play is Frivolous, 6. That's not my Area, 7. Don't be Foolish, 8. Avoid ambiguity, 9. To err is wrong, 10. I'm not creative.

Antidotes are presented to each of these.

There's a lot of focus on playfulness, weirdness, breaking the rules, and looking at things from strange perspectives.

Looking forward to applying some of the techniques in my own life and work and I'll see how it goes.

[cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book ten starts.

This is probably one of the best 2020 reading for me, no cap. If I had to define a book as "the criativity guide" or even, in a more pretentious way, as some kind of "criativity Bible" it would be this one.

Thank you Roger van Oech for showing me how society, family and even myself blocked my brain to awesome opportunities and ideas. May I now continue my journey to a more creative life knowing how vast and exciting exploring new paths can be.

🇧🇷 This was a reading made in my beautiful mother language, Brazilian Portuguese, but as always I share my review in English in order to reach those who are interested in my words and opinions.

🇺🇲 This book is also available in other languages such as English, it's a very good reading that I recommend for the curious and dreamers.

Sending love ✨

[Shhhhh Ahhhhh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new primer of choice on the subject of creativity. Excellent advice and great practical examples. I wouldn't go back to this to annotate it but I would recommend it to anyone looking to have more and better ideas. Especially interesting is the unstated (but obvious) cross-section between the 4 creativity archetypes Von Oech lists (warrior, judge, artist, explorer) and the 4 main masculine archetypes from Jung (king, warrior, magician, lover), as well as Von Oech's discussion on using randomness as a tool to enhance native/ naive intuition and it's obvious connections with ancient traditions (bone reading, tarot, skin reading, tea leaf reading, etc). Fascinating stuff. If he's written anything else, I'll definitely read it.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I passed this book a few times at my library's book sale before I decided that I should probably just get it. It was so goofy looking, but I loved the idea of stretching my imagination for the sake of creativity. This book was so much more than that, though - it dove into the deep discussion of how traditional schooling, indoctrination into society, and attempting to be "be normal" and keep up with others dims our creative process. I consider myself to be a fairly creative person, but even I was hung up on some of the mental block exercises. I really appreciated the message that this book carried, as well as some of the practical exercises for stepping outside the norm to find something great.

[David Lumpkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book very interesting and stimulating. I have found ways to kick off my own creativity and am using it. A recent significant relocation kicked me in the butt emotionally and drained my creative nature. Even completing the reading this book was delayed for months. The book has been a source of ideas of getting through this time. Usually I read 6 books at a time, but read nothing for about a year. This was the last of my books from my previous life that I picked up and finished. I think it has sealed the end of my funk and given me new life from its wisdom. Whether you're a creative person or not, I highly recommend your reading this book.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it's a bit dated (references to cassette tapes and record players might be lost on some), any reader can still unstop the dams to their creative juices and get rivers flowing again. Stuck on a problem? The anecdotes will have you thinking about everything differently, from the route you run to the color red. The book is also full of little activities and mind games at the beginning and end of each chapter that I got my spouse and I talking about ways we want to be more creative together. Definitely worth this quick read!