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Creative thinking in its simplest form is the ability to generate new and innovate ideas or new solutions to problems. The word creativity itself means a phenomenon where a new thing has been created. The process of creative thinking involves the creation of concepts that are unique and new.
Being a creative thinker is an extremely important skill to have, many solutions to our problems in the world are generated through novel and sometimes unorthodox methods. It provides a fresh perspective to approaching things. This is a useful skillset for personal and professional lives.
The first and most common types of creative thinking are divergent and convergent thinking. Divergent thinking involves creativity and an acceptance of multiple approaches or solutions to a single problem. Whereas convergent thinking is more focused on concluding only one, well-defined solution to a problem. In many instances, the most creative ideas are arrived at by using the combination of the two types when approaching a situation.
Aesthetic
Aesthetic thinking puts more emphasis and focus on re-examining the problem or situation at hand to see the value it brings or the beauty behind it. These approach of creative thinking is is commonly compared to the inspiration of looking at a painting.
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Inspirational and Lateral
Inspirational thinking is the approach of focusing on the best way something could possibly turn out, its focus is using the best-case scenarios to develop possible solutions or answers to a certain issue or discussion. Whereas lateral thinking is the process of thinking in a flow chart format where each idea, creation or solution has a step-by-step approach.
To become a creative thinker, you usually require some source of motivation and inspiration, make sure to check out this list of the best 50 websites for inspiration!
BENEFITS OF CREATIVE THINKING
Being a creative thinker is essential in any workforce or industry. Many people fail to realize the importance and beauty of being a creative thinker because they falsely believe that it is a skill only possessed by artists. Being a creative thinker has many benefits, with the main three being the ability to problem solve, open mindedness and increased self-awareness.
Problem-Solving
The most productive use of being a creative thinker is the application of the thought process to problem-solving. Being a creative thinker allows to bring an innovate approach to reimaging challenges and finding ways to turn them into possibilities instead. This benefit of being a creative thinker also allows you to become more aware of recognizing patterns that you would not usually be able to identify.
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Open-Mindedness
The art of exploring possibilities that haven’t yet been explored opens our imagination. The increase in our imaginative levels and capabilities helps us improve in more ways than one. It especially allows us to overcome any biases we have or any pre-determined opinions or perspectives we have of the world. All in all, it increases and flexibility on breaking any barriers that previously stopped us from accepting new ideas or perspectives.
Self-Awareness
The increase in our self-awareness levels is one of the most important benefits of being a creative thinker. It allows us to challenge a traditional approach to thinking and learning. Such a complex challenge leads to us building our emotional intelligence. Becoming a creative thinker may seem like a challenge, but challenges allow us to explore this creative side of ourselves in greater depth, don’t be afraid to tackle it and start your own journey of becoming a creative thinker!
Takeaway
Regardless of your field, industry, or interests, being a creative thinker will always be more useful than you could possibly imagine, and it will never go out of style. Teaching myself to become a creative thinker has been one of the best things I’ve done for my personal life and professional career. Make sure to check out this website for the all the tools you need to become a creative thinker! Make sure to email me at sgonz032@uottawa.ca to further discuss the benefits and importance of challenging yourself creatively and ensuring you are a creative thinker.