Spark: How to free your brain from technology to ignite your creativity

by Manoush Zomorodi

Spark was previously published as Bored and Brilliant.'Crammed with practical exercises for anyone who wants to reclaim the power of spacing out' - Gretchen Rubin, author of #1 New York Times Bestseller The Happiness ProjectIt’s time to move ‘doing nothing’ to the top of your to-do list Have you ever noticed how you have your best ideas when doing the dishes or staring out the window? It's because when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy connecting ideas and solving problems.However in the modern world it often feels as though we have completely removed boredom from our lives; we are addicted to our phones, we reply to our emails twenty-four hours a day, tweet as we watch TV, watch TV as we commute, check Facebook as we walk and Instagram while we eat. Constant stimulation has become our default mode. In this easy to follow, practical book, award-winning journalist Manoush Zomorodi explores the connection between boredom and original thinking, and will show you how to ditch your screens and start embracing time spent doing nothing. Spark will help you unlock the way to becoming your most productive and creative self.'Full of easy steps to make each day more effective' - Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit

Genres: Nonfiction

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2020

About the author

Manoush Zomorodi is the incoming host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour and co-founder of Stable Genius Productions. She is also the co-host and co-creator of ZigZag, the business podcast about being human.

Investigating how technology and business are transforming humanity is Manoush’s passion and expertise. Her book Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Creative Self (2017, St. Martin’s Press) and TED Talk (3.3m+ views) are guides to surviving the “Attention Economy.” She was one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business for 2018. Manoush created and hosted the podcast Note to Self from 2013-2019, in partnership with WNYC Studios. The Academy of Podcasters named Note to Self Best Tech Podcast of 2017. Manoush has received numerous awards for her work, including The Gracie in 2014 and 2018 for Best Radio Host.
She is half-Persian and half-Swiss but was born in NYC, where she lives with her family.

Reviews

[Zohal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't learn anything new from this one.

[Marco Loricchio · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the most recommended and popularised book on productivity and technology, “Spark” definitely drew my attention. Recommended by productivity gurus, tech giants and people in my close circles, this book promised to be the real deal. Zomorodi talks about her experiences as a tech-driven time lacking mum, who rediscovers her passion for productivity. She is giving practical advice, based on her project, dedicated to cleansing life from excess tech. 

While it is a good and fascinating read, I have to say that it was not the “big deal”. After all the hype around it, I assume I have placed the expectations too high. Generic advice of “Don’t wanna be stuck on Twitter? Then delete it” did not butter my crumpet. While advertised as a revolutionary approach book, it did not cut the fabric of the ordinary for me. 

If you are looking to baby step into the world of productivity, then you can go for this one. If you are a little further down the line, I would personally consider skipping this book. 

[Antor Chowdhury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book at all, has some good tips on how to reduce internet usage. I give it 3/5 stars.

[Jack Tecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful tips to curb screen time, though had a lot of “self help” tropes I’m not fond of. Overall well researched and short, so perfect bite sized. Just get off your phone and read more I guess!

[Vaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having already listened to the bored but brilliant podcasts had expected more from this. The content goes into more detail and adds more user stories from those involved in the experiments to reclaim your life through being more mindful with tech... but I didn't feel that this passing added a lot of value. Maybe the book will have more impact to those who hadn't heard the gist before.

[Silvia Pentia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would totally recommend people wanting to decrrase their digital use to read this book. Easy to read, with lots of great insights.