Creative Thinking: How to Develop Better Ideas and Solve Problems

Creative thinking helps you view concepts, problems and situations from different standpoints. It helps you reach beyond the expected answers.

Creative thinking has important functions almost everywhere; in education, outside work, within your own business and technology, and even in day to day activities. Even if you do not believe you are naturally creative, this skill is something that can be developed through practice. It is like all other abilities.

What is Creative Thinking?

Creative thinking is the ability to generate, connect and evaluate ideas in new different ways. Creative thinking is not something that is limited to the world of arts. An example of creative thinking is a scientist finding a new way to address a problem, an entrepreneur finding a better means of satisfying a customer’s need, or a student coming up with new ways of understanding a difficult concept. This example illustrates that creative thinking is a process that can sometimes be determined by how flexible, open-minded, and curious you are.

When is Creative Thinking Important?

There are many issues that do not have a single perfect solution. Creative thinking allows one to constructively examine alternative options, rather than accepting a quick answer as the solution.

Thinking creatively also allows one to look at obstacle based problems in new different ways, and unexplored alternatives normally lead to innovation and better approaches.

1. Asking Better Questions

The questions you ask determine the answers you get and subsequently, the direction you take to solve a problem. So, instead of asking «How can I solve this?», you can ask «What’s causing this?». You can also ask «What would happen if I did this instead?».

Am I taking an unnecessary route to achieve this?

What is preventing me from taking a more efficient route?

Better questions help identify solutions that are right under our noses.

2. Unrestrained Ideation

Don’t rule out an idea before you’ve harvested them all. It can lead tostopping prematurely. Write down all possible solutions even if they seem out of this world. Once you’ve written them all down, assess and determine the viable solutions.

3. Adjust Your Vantage Point

The same problem can look different to different people. If you looked at what was in front of you from a different vantage point it could help. One example is the way a business owner looks at a product as a customer would.

Another example can be a student presenting the same material to others as they might have once been presented to them.

4. Prove the Myth that Two Ideas Cannot Be Disparate

Not all great ideas come from genius, but from combination of things that have already been done. Two completely different processes, products, or methods can inspire solutions.

This is a great way to solve problems without the need to find a unique solution. It can inspire a new approach.

5. Give Yourself some Quiet Time

Removing the ample amount of distractions that abound is the best way to creative thinking. Limit distractions by putting yourself in a room with no sound or notifications and no opportunity for interruption.

Whenever you get an idea record it wherever it is convenient to you (e.g. a notepad, note taking app, etc.) Even if you won’t use most of the ideas you jot down this gives you a starting point to work with later.

6. Learn From Mistakes

Fear of being wrong can prevent people from experimenting. While the creative process involves many risky trials, it persists for those many failures, where much is learned.

Ask what the experience has taught you and try to see it as a step in the right direction rather than a waste of time.

7. Practice Curiosity

The fuel to curiosity pushes you to go find answers to your questions. Explore new forms of thinking by pondering other disciplinary problems and examining the methods people use to solve them.

Different ways of thinking can inspire new connections that challenge previous presumptions of relevance.

Creative Thinking in Everyday Life

Practice creative thinking on things of little consequence. Think of new ways to get to a familiar place. Create multiple solutions to a simple problem. Think of a new organizational scheme for your work area.

Being creative will help you think outside the box on how to express your ideas. For further creative practice visit SkillBrewHub.

Final Thoughts

There is no distinction between ordinary people and creative thinkers. There is a great deal of merit in thinking flexibly and imaginatively.

Ask better questions and consider as many perspectives as possible. Be prepared to change your point of view. It is less about the quality of the ideas and more about how freely people are able to express themselves. The ability to notice opportunities is honed by practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by creative thinking?

Creative thinking enables people to formulate different viewpoints and devise alternative ways of addressing problems or even considering problems not normally seen.

Is creative thinking teachable?

Yes, it is teachable; one can create an environment that promotes brainstorming, persistence, and flexibility in the face of challenges posed by unexplored and unfamiliar territories.

Why is creative thinking significant?

Creative thinking can help distinguish different ways of looking at problems, understanding processes, implementing improvement, and providing solutions.

Which techniques are employed to enhance creative thinking?

Perspective shifting, brainstorming, mind mapping, the use of SCAMPER, open ended questions, and combination of ideas are some of the techniques.

What can students do to enhance their creative thinking?

Students are encouraged to avoid thinking that problems have only single correct answers; they are expected to question, experiment with, and develop ideas to the fullest and consider multiple answers in the light of different viewpoints.