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How to be creative: A simple two-step process

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Creativity is about engaging in divergent thinking and convergent thinking in that order. In this blog post, I briefly explain these two thinking tools.

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Anyone can be creative by combining two crucial thinking tools...

Creativity starts with divergent thinking

You begin solving a problem by coming up with as many different ideas as possible. This is called 'divergent thinking'.

Wildly different ideas with minimal evaluation

The ideas can be wildly different and minimally assessed.This step should be fast and messy

Example:

Stimulus: Design a blog post collection list

Divergent thinking: Quickly sketching 8 different possible layouts. Some wild, some not-so-crazy. Let your mind wander. Move fast.

We then narrow things down with convergent thinking

We review facts, limitations, and context to narrow down to a singular solution.

Summed up

Creativity is a skill that anyone can cultivate by harnessing two essential thinking tools: divergent thinking and convergent thinking. Divergent thinking serves as the ignition for creativity, allowing us to explore a wide range of ideas without judgment or evaluation. During this phase, the mind is free to roam, and wild and unconventional ideas are not only accepted but encouraged. This initial step may seem chaotic, but it is a crucial catalyst for innovation.

However, the true magic of creativity emerges when we seamlessly transition from divergent thinking to convergent thinking. In this second phase, we assess and narrow down the plethora of ideas generated during the initial stage. This is where we consider facts, limitations, and the context of the problem, working to select the most viable and practical solution.

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Random

Reflections

Have you forgotten about the fundamentals?

I’ve learned that no amount of coaching, fancy apps, “creativity hacks & tips” etc, will make up for:

  • Subpar sleep
  • Low vitamin D3 (lack of direct sunlight exposure)
  • Lack of movement (sports, resistance training, cardio)
  • Poor diet (macro and micronutrients)
  • Nonexistent stress management

Get these right first.

They are the highest impact things you can do.

Ignoring these is like a student ignoring the fundamental concepts needed to ace an exam and instead focusing on color-coding their notes, using fancy study apps, and organizing their study space with intricate decorations.

Master the basics. Everything else falls into place.

...read full post
Aug 15, 2023

Nonfiction books are too long

Most nonfiction books should've been 1000-word articles.

I find myself abandoning a lot of books right around the 25-30% mark.

Not because they're bad, but because I fully get the gist by that point and it's right around when the repetition of examples and ideas begins.

I'm okay with abandoning a book midway now. Just a couple years ago, I would power through the whole thing in fear of missing out on some crucial ideas in the later chapters.

Now, I just have fun with it. If it piques my interest, great – I'll buy it, read the chapters that seem interesting, get what I came for and move onto the next one.

I think a lot of these authors are just trying to meet some sort of quota. I dunno.

There's elegance in brevity.

...read full post
Aug 14, 2023

A note on this weird cold plunge trend

So many of these "gurus" telling us to take cold showers and cold plunges 😂 😂

If you’re tired all the time:

  • Go get your bloodwork done and see what you’re deficient in
  • Get outside. Get some damn sun
  • Sleep well
  • Use your mind to build something – It'll energize you

Stick to high-impact basics. These little micro-optimizations aren't going to change anything.

Enjoy your hot showers 🔥🚿

...read full post
Jul 21, 2023