Non-Obvious Thinking book cover

Non-Obvious Thinking by Rohit Bhargava & Ben duPont Summary

Non-Obvious Thinking
Rohit Bhargava & Ben duPont
3.73 (77 Reviews)
Creativity
Self-growth
Business
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of Non-Obvious Thinking

Discover the art of seeing what others miss in "Non-Obvious Thinking," where Rohit Bhargava reveals how decluttering your mind - like Marie Kondo for your brain - can spark innovation at disciplinary intersections. What breakthrough awaits when you finally escape conventional thinking patterns?

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Key takeaways

1

Why Some People See What Everyone Else Misses

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A lanky engineering student with mismatched shoes stood at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, preparing to attempt the high jump. What Dick Fosbury did next shocked the world-he turned his back to the bar and flopped over it backwards, landing safely on the foam mat below. He won gold, and nearly every Olympic high jumper since has used his technique. But here's the thing: Fosbury wasn't a genius. He simply noticed what others didn't-new foam landing mats made it safe to land on your back, opening up entirely new possibilities. This is the essence of non-obvious thinking: seeing beyond conventional wisdom to spot opportunities hiding in plain sight.

2

Creating Mental Space Before You Can Think Differently

3

Uncovering Hidden Truths Through Better Observation

4

Focusing Your Attention: Separating Signal From Noise

5

Adding Constraints to Spark Creativity

6

Taking Ideas in Unexpected Directions

7

The Courage to See What Others Cannot

Explore Your Way of Learning
Non-Obvious Thinking isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Creativity. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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Top 9 Insights from Non-Obvious Thinking in a Nutshell

Distill Non-Obvious Thinking into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

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Non-Obvious Thinking Lessons Told Through 23-Min Stories

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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comments
12
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
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star
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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201
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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