Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an Advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately due to the pandemic I wasn't able to read this, and when I could I Netgalley had archived it and I am unable to view it for an honest review. It is one that will go on my to-read list for future reading.

This was not what I was expecting. It seemed a weird mix if theory and narrative about being too scared to put forward ideas I thought it would be about making time to develop creative talents as hobbies with business potential.
The awful formatting on Netgalley Shelf made it very difficult to read.
Sorry, not a success for me - have up after a good try.

One of the better introductions to creativity
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 December 2020
I’ve read many creativity books over the years - some very technical like de Bono’s early work, some philosophical like The Chaos of Creativity and some very technique focused like A Whack On the Side of the Head.

Blowing the Lid off combines a decent amount of all of these factors and shows that the thinking in the field of creativity has matured to the point where more and more people finally understand that:

A)Creativity is inherent
B)It’s utterly essential for success in this modern world
C)It can be linked to a mission to turbo-boost your results
D)Creativity needs to be linked to business skills

I’ve rarely read a book that doesn’t overemphasise one of these to the detriment of the other (and for sure the author does talk a lot about why we are creative) but so far I’ve felt the book is well-balanced. He uses the idea of a ‘creative gene’ which he uses sparingly but effectively to suggest our built-in creativity. There’s a lot of quotable lines such as you might discover…your niche…doesn’t actually exist. That’s okay; you have to create your niche’. This seems trite but to someone who has created good products only to be told "we like it but we’ll jump on board once it starts to become a craze," it is an affirmation that sometimes, you are a leader and no-one understands…yet.

If you are looking for a first book on creativity or one that pulls together a lot of divergent thinking, I recommend Blowing the Lid Off. It’s way better than I expected it to be and that is a real pleasure.

This book is an in-depth look at creativity, and why many of us tend to cover it or stifle it. It explains creativity with examples and stories of others, as well as exercise to help you blow the lid off and either discover or reimagine your creativity. The author then delves further into actualizing your creativity and pointing out that it does not have to be limited to the arts. I realized a few of my self-limiting beliefs when it comes to my creativity, and even why I have them. It’s inspirational in so many ways, inspiring you to be creative, and inspiriting you to help others be creative. If you are a parent, it offers great insight on why parents should never stifle their children’s creativity. A great tool to add to your creative toolbox and help you find the confidence to share your creativity.

★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.

Some books are just for reading. Others aim to be transformation and challenge you as a work-in-progress. This workbook will give you the best of both. Written for easy comprehension and customization, you fill in the blanks between instructions. Recommended for those who are just starting to think of bigger ideas, wanna-be entrepreneurs, and those envious of others' creativity.

Time to blow the lid off your self-limiting beliefs, whether those come from your family, what professors told you in university, or from past failures. Try, try again. And then do something new and fresh.

The formatting on this book made it difficult for me to read, so hence the low review. This is no reflection on the contents.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life and hide behind society norms that are often rigid and not allow creativity at all. As author explains, when you don't fit in so called norms, you can live an authentic, creative, and sometimes crazy life.

Creativity needs to be an intentional force in your life. It needs to be expressed and manifested. Robert A. Belle encourages you that you have to have confidence in your art and ideas and he shows how to monetize them.

The book is very informative and motivates you to be yourself. Creativity is an integral and critical part of life. It's not a luxury, it's necessity. For example - companies that embrace creativity are number one in their field and are the best companies to work for.

Part 1 of the book relates to creative/right side of our brain, the 2nd part shifts to left/logical side and offers practical steps and tools that you can use to shape your creativity.

So, blow the lid off!