Creative Thinking (CrT)

Goals

  1. Describe Creative Thinking (CrT).
  2. Excel at it.
  3. Guide others so that they excel.

What

CrT is the process of coming up with something new and useful by connecting ideas in novel ways.

Analysis: {new result, useful result, connecting ideas in novel ways}

Creative thinking exists so we can go beyond what is and create what could be.

CrT expands possibilities (divergent thinking) so that CT can evaluate and refine them (convergent thinking). Together → better solutions and decisions.

Examples

  1. Coming up with a better way to plan meals and organize shopping.
  2. Solving a problem that no one has been able to solve yet.
  3. Connecting ideas from several disciplines to better understand stress or problem solving.
  4. Brainstorming trip ideas and coming up with a killer plan.
  5. Designing a new product or experience that solves a real need.
  6. Reframing a constraint as a feature rather than a blocker.

Rationale

  1. Solve problems that no one knows how to solve.
  2. Find better ways to solve problems.
  3. Create new ways of doing things.
  4. Find solutions that do not yet exist.
  5. Innovate and design products, systems, and experiences that make life better.
  6. Adapt when the world changes around you.
  7. Increase enjoyment and fulfillment by shaping what could be.
  8. Discover hidden opportunities in challenges or randomness.

Principles

How To

CrT + CT is a cycle:


Concerns → CrT (generate possibilities) + CT (evaluate) → Clear Problem

Clear Problem → CrT + CT → Clear Parts (decomposition)

Each Subproblem → CrT (options) → CT (choose) → Subsolution

Integrate Subsolutions → Final Solution

Another compact view:


Problem → CrT (expand options) → CT (decide best) → Action → Learn → Repeat