Member Reviews
When I first came across the idea of flip thinking, I was intrigued by its focus on viewing problems as opportunities for growth and learning. It’s all about redefining problems by looking at them differently and finding creative solutions. In Flip Thinking: The Life-Changing Art of Turning Problems into Opportunities by Ebury Edge, the book is divided into three sections: “The Luggage,” “Flipping the Problem,” and “Transforming the Problem.” I found that this approach can help generate new, practical solutions. It takes some practice, but I believe it can become a natural part of anyone’s problem-solving process with time and commitment.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy for an honest review.
The main concept of Flip Thinking is to be more opportunistic. I’ve read several books on strategies to be more solution oriented and proactive. There wasn’t much new material provided, however overall an informative book.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
FLIP THINKING by Berthold Gunster explores the improv strategy of turning *yes, but* into *yes, and* as described in his subtitle: "The Life-Changing Art of Turning Problems into Opportunities." Gunster has worked as a theatre director and writer for years and has written numerous books on this subject. In this latest work he includes numerous chapters, each of which averages about 3000 words (or ten minutes of reading time), to encourage daily reflection on a variety of strategies. Some of those are waiting, rethinking, flaunting, and reversing. One of Gunster's insights is that by default humans tend to try to solve problems, or even resist them, which can often make them worse. He encourages readers to reframe or let go of expectations. Similarly, he suggests asking yourself, "What could I learn from this problem? What could be the hidden opportunity?" A lengthy list of recommended reading, detailed notes, and an index comprise roughly thirty percent of FLIP THINKING. A summary of key points related to Gunster's work is available on the Next Big Idea Club website. There, Gunster says, "Flip thinking is what children tend to do. What do grown-ups do when it rains? They avoid it. Stay indoors, carry an umbrella. What do children do? They dance in the rain."
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
"Flip Thinking: The Life-Changing Art of Turning Problems into Opportunities" describes the ways in which we can be stuck in our everyday routines and suggests ways in which we can turn our "yes, but" into "yes, and". Berthold Gunster outlines 15 ways to alter their thinking to make the best of things, perhaps making lemons out of lemonade, instead of being "stuck in the mud".
I thought this was an interesting book and possessed some great reminders for me to reevaluate the ways in which I think about things in my life. I tend to be someone who follows the rules, can be rigid in the ways that I think about things, and can definitely admit that I can be a control freak. I have two little kids, and of course, nothing goes according to plan when it concerns them. Life would be a whole lot easier if I didn't get as aggravated having an idea of how things should be, and then being disappointed if it doesn't go according to plan. I plan to take the concepts outlined in the book and try to apply them to my everyday life.
Nothing in this book is necessarily revolutionary or novel by any means. These are all things that we have learned or heard at some point in our lives but maybe haven't used. Again, this book isn't moving mountains, but instead guiding its reader in the right direction to ease and potentially great opportunities.