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.