15 Things I learned from Jack’s Notebook

By Tony Mussari
Copyright 2009
Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

Jack’s Notebook is a celebrated story about creativity.  Written by Gregg Fraley, it is simply wonderful.  The technique is creative.  The writing is very tight. The story is intriguing, and the information about life and problem solving  is nothing sort of transformational.

Gregg Fraley has a gift.  He can take a complex idea and teach it in an unforgettable way.  Yes, I said unforgettable.

When was the last time you found a beautiful love story and the essentials of creativity in a detective story?

On one level, Jack’s Notebook is an explanation of CPS, Creative Problem Solving.  On another level, it is a wonderful love story with so many interesting, mysterious, and sometimes demonic twists and turns, it literally leaves the reader breathless.

Theses are some of the things I learned, and in some cases relearned about life thanks to the magical words of Gregg Fraley.

1. Sometimes your own view of yourself can stop you from doing some things   that might help you grow.

2. The more you care for an idea, the more passion you have in your heart for it
the better your chances are for success.

3. Sometimes the quickest way to make something new is simply to make a new  combination of elements.

4. Most problems in life have many right answers, not just one.

5. Every problem is an opportunity.

6. Raw intelligence and good common sense are two different things. One is the  engine; the other is driving skill, and circumstances can put people, even very
bright people, sensible people into some tough situations.

7. Life can be great if you have a curious mind and the simple quality of kindness
and incredible patience with things-allowing things to grow, evolve.

8. Nothing is as bad as we make it out to be.

9. The first step toward understanding happens when we see things from the other person’s perspective.
10, Thoughtfulness and simple good manners strengthen relationships.

11. There is power in thinking with your heart.

12. Nothing is as simple as it seems.

13. People with hope are less likely to make poor decisions based on desperation.

14. Successful people plan for what will happen after they achieve their goal.

15. The best way to live life is simple. Stay on the right side of the law. Always be on the right side of what’s right.

This list may seem long, but it is very short when compared to all of the things one can learn about innovation and creative problem solving in Greg’s Farley’s masterpiece, Jack’s Notebook.

This book is for anyone who is coping with a problem of any kind.  It is an inspirational book that will make you feel up to the task of dealing with the recession that is plaguing all of us.

This is a book that is good for the heart as well as the mind.

Once I started reading Jack’s notebook, I could not out it down.

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