How Great Ideas Happen: The Hidden Steps Behind Breakthrough Success

by George Newman

Great ideas are all around us, waiting to be discovered. Here’s how to find them.

We’re used to imagining creativity as a lightbulb moment—sudden, mysterious, reserved for the gifted few. But what if ideas aren’t conjured from thin air? What if they’re discovered—more like precious artifacts that we unearth and refine?

In How Great Ideas Happen, cognitive scientist George Newman draws on cutting-edge research to show that creativity isn’t magic, it’s method. The most successful innovators don’t wait to be struck by brilliance; their creative process is more like archeology. As keen-eyed explorers, they scan the terrain, dig with intention, and, with a little luck, find gold.

With vivid examples from the arts, science, and business, Newman shows how creativity often comes from discovering what was already there. For example, how Jackson Pollock tapped into deep patterns in nature to create his famous “drip” paintings; how Korean filmmakers created an entirely new genre by closely studying foreign films; or, how Paul Simon made Graceland by carefully sifting through previously recorded material for what he could take away.

By revealing the hidden steps behind breakthrough success, How Great Ideas Happen uncovers a repeatable method that anyone can follow, reframing creativity not as a rare gift, but as a universal capacity waiting to be unlocked through exploration. The creative process is an adventure of ideas—this book is your guide.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Newman has written the creativity book I've been waiting for - one that finally abandons the tired "genius myth" and replaces it with something far more useful and empowering: a science-backed framework that treats creativity as exploration and discovery rather than mystical inspiration.

The book's central metaphor suggests approaching creativity like an archeological dig, which is brilliant in its simplicity and depth. Newman structures the creative process into four clear stages: Surveying (identifying where to search), Gridding (organizing your search systematically), Digging (generating ideas widely), and Sifting (selecting which to pursue). This framework alone is worth the price of admission, but what makes the book exceptional is how Newman fills each stage with rigorous research, surprising insights, and compelling real-world examples.

He does a really nice job weaving together fascinating scientific discoveries (like the fractal patterns in Pollock's drip paintings that mirror tree branches and ancient Zen gardens) with practical exercises designed to help readers develop their own creative capacities. The writing is crisp, accessible, and refreshingly free of the usual creativity book clichés. He doesn't tell you to "conquer your fears" or "unlock your inner genius" - instead he shows you, step by step, how to become a better explorer of ideas.

What I love most is the book's fundamental optimism: creativity isn't a rare gift bestowed on the chosen few. It's a learnable skill, a universal human capacity waiting to be developed through better search strategies and more systematic exploration. For anyone who has ever stared at a blank page waiting for inspiration, or felt the anxiety of believing great ideas should just "come from within," this book offers both relief and a roadmap.

Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, scientist, or simply someone who wants to think more creatively, How Great Ideas Happen belongs on your shelf. It's that rare thing: a book about creativity that is itself genuinely creative, marrying cutting-edge science with timeless wisdom in a way that will change how you approach your next big idea.

Highly, highly recommended!

[Bananarama · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this is a visually beautiful book with a satisfying heft and holographic foil on the cover. I bought 2 extras to have on hand as gifts for smart friends. Get on it!

And the content is just as great. As anyone who has recorded an album, written a novel, or made a painting can tell you- it is work. It takes time, studying, making mistakes. Creativity doesn't happen in magical flashes of brilliance available only to lone geniuses, and it's enormously refreshing to hear someone say this and then back it up with data. It's not feel-good nonsense about how we're all artists; it's actionable steps to becoming an innovator in whatever field you're creating in. This is exciting and democratizing!

I also appreciate, in the era of heated conversations about AI and appropriation, Newman's concept of 'sifting', or studying work that already exists in your field for elements that can be alchemized into something truly new. His example about Korean filmmakers was fascinating. Artists like Matisse and Kandinsky being influenced by Persian miniatures in as a foundation for modernism comes to mind. In Newman's hands the idea of inspiration becomes not about theft or mechanized pattern recognition/repetition, but a profoundly human process and a necessary part of creation.

Recommended!

[Angie F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Great Ideas Happen by George Newman is a practical reference books that may help to provide a roadmap to how to generate ideas and make them actionable. None of the concepts were new to me, but they were presented in a new way along with some helpful exercises, so this may be a useful book to have on hand when struggling to come up with something new.

The strategies of Seeking, Griding and Sifting are well explained and I liked the varied examples that are used to illustrate each point all the way from archeology to figure skating. As mentioned, I found the exercises useful in guiding the way. This book doesn't give any ideas directly, it instead provides a roadmap for how to get there.

I would have liked more exercises and more resources, but I think this a worthy reference book for anyone who is stuck. Having an idea of when, how, and with whom to collaborate is useful in itself.

Thank you very much to Simon and Schuster for providing a digital advance reader copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book about how great ideas and creativity aren't the result of magic; they are the result of systematic process. It's so easy to get caught up in the idea that I can't create because I don't have the inspiration, but this book uses research to dispel all that, and to show how people with great ideas create because they put themselves in the way discovery. George Newman used so many excellent examples from real life that were interesting and illustrative. This is a wonderful book for anyone who wants to create and is feeling stuck. You'll come away with so many ideas for starting again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance copy.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited for this book because I live by the motto: “Creating is living.” This book explains that anyone can be creative because it’s a process of discovery. You can draw on ideas from all around you and become a creative explorer. Rather than isolating yourself to come up with the next creative idea—collaborate, explore, and gain feedback or be like Vanilla Ice and stop, collaborate, and listen. Start with what you’re curious and passionate about. This book is a practical guide with exercises at the end of each chapter to get your juices flowing and come up with great ideas you can follow through on.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Great Ideas Happen by George Newman was surprisingly informative. I think the overall message that a big new idea is not necessary but that a great idea is built on something that already exists. Making that an even better product or concept allows for the greatness to shine through. The books exercises are helpful, an added bonus to the book. This book provides a fresh take and how to take your idea and make it Great.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy via Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to review this book. All opinions are my own.

A New Year brings a new lease on goals. One thing that I liked about this book was how it was mixed in history examples with how science and perserverence can execute great ideas going forward. This book stands out from the others by mapping out how the guidelines in the book that can apply to any industry. One of my favourites mentioned was how Stephen King had the idea for Misery. No SPOLIERS.

Thank you, George, this is a book I will be recommending to those who just need a nudge.

[barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newman presents a well thought out book about how creativity works and how we can change the way we think about creative breakthroughs. Not only does he describe how a shift in perspective is needed to think about how we actually come up with idea, but he also lays out step by step instructions on how to get those creative juices flowing in the right direction. I really enjoyed this read! Great for anyone in a creative field, or is considers themselves a creative person in general.

**Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.**

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cognitive scientist shows how successful innovators discover ideas by uncovering and refining what's already there. This practical and easy-to-read guide explains how to find your own creative gold and unlock your hidden potential. For people in creative fields, it can be tedious to be told "We think of creativity as lightbulb moments" when they already know better. But even professional creatives will find value in this book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Annie Reads The World · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

This was an interesting perspective on how new, interesting ideas happen.

I really enjoy discussions on creativity and innovation so this was a very fun read.

I also really enjoyed the experiments, I wasn't expecting those, so it was a fun little surprise while reading this.

Overall, I don't think this book says anything life changing, but it is an interesting perspective and something to make you think about your own creativity.

[Stroop · Rating 4 out of 5]

An encouraging, practical, and accessible guide to nurturing your next great idea(s)! Full of anecdotes and suggested exercises, this is a fun read for anyone looking to tap into their creativity (yes, anyone can be creative!).

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

[Mae B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid read. It has a lot of new creative ways to develop an idea. I especially loved that the examples used in the book were stories I hadn’t heard before.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved most about this book was that it gave a practical and realistic perspective to the creation of ideas and allow allows us to understand the methodology behind it. It provides the reader an opportunity to hold pride in the way they think and how to expand on what they already know.

[Lab M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - I've read so many books on this topic, and this was the most useful I've ever come across. I really appreciate how empirically-backed it was, yet empowering at the same time (e.g., by abandoning the 'genius' myth). Loved it!

[Chrisx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad to see cheap AI illustrations used in a book all about creativity and the arts

[Kimberly Monaghan]

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or pressured to come up with your next ingenious idea, How Great Ideas Happen by George Newman will help you uncover creative sparks all around. Read my full review: https://booksuplift.com/how-great-ide...