Complete Explanation of Creative Thinking as a Life Skill

The Purpose of Creative Thinking: It Expands Your World!

As a rule, success in life requires clear, logical, organized, and rational thinking. In fact, I urge everyone to check out Academic Vocabulary for Critical Thinking, Logical Arguments, and Effective Communication. It improves your thinking and communication skills and creates a logical foundation for creative thinking.

But as Albert Einstein (1879–1931) famously said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” In other words, there comes a point where we must start thinking differently or creatively—that is, we must start thinking outside the box.

Creative thinking doesn’t solve problems or create great art. Solving problems and great art comes from good judgment, skill, knowledge, and action. So, what’s the point of creative thinking? The benefits of creative thinking come in three forms.

1. Idea Generation
2. Seeing Possibilities
3. Making Connections

This is my own interpretation, but I think I’m correct. I firmly believe in the value of knowledge, skill, taking action, and good judgment. Success and happiness are a puzzle composed of many life skills. Although creative thinking is a valuable puzzle piece, it is just one piece.

Myopic Thinking: The Near Opposite of Creative Thinking

You will better understand creative thinking by understanding myopic thinking. Myopic thinking is the mortal enemy of creative thinking. Although it’s not the exact opposite of creative thinking, it’s close.

Myopic means nearsighted. Therefore, myopic thinking is short-sighted or narrow-minded thinking. This thinking focuses on immediate concerns and short-term outcomes while neglecting different perspectives and long-term consequences.

This thinking relates to the old saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” This idiom describes a situation where someone is so focused on small details or immediate concerns (the trees) that they fail to see the larger picture or overall context (the forest). In other words, they become fixated on minor aspects and lose sight of the broader perspective.

By the way, saying that someone’s thinking is myopic is not a compliment. It implies rigid, narrow, short-sighted, small-minded thinking. The true opposite of myopic thinking would be foresighted, farsighted, or open-minded thinking. Creative thinking is a big part of these positive types of thinking.

Creative Thinking vs. Good Judgment

Creative thinking requires good judgment. Once again, creative thinking expands your world of (1) ideas, (2) possibilities, and (3) connections. Here is what creative thinking does not do. Creative thinking doesn’t make the decisions or provide the answers.

Are you aware of Howard Gardner’s model of Multiple Intelligences? In short, people are smart in different ways. We can be gifted in one area of life and a fool in another. We can view creative thinking as a form of intelligence. History is full of creative geniuses who had difficult lives. They were geniuses in some areas of life and foolish in others. I could provide a list, but it’s just too sad.

Even Steve Jobs (1955–2011) and Bob Marley (1945–1981), who had good lives, made questionable decisions regarding their cancer treatments. They pursued alternative treatments and didn’t exactly follow their doctor’s advice. According to his biographer, Walter Isaacson, Jobs regretted his decisions that delayed the traditional treatments. Bob Marley made his decisions based on personal and spiritual reasons, but I do wonder if he wished he had done things differently.

The more of a creative thinker you are, the more you need to develop good judgment. Why so? Well, creative thinkers (1) have more ideas, (2) see more possibilities, and (3) make more connections. Creative thinkers see more bright and shiny things and bright and shiny things catch our attention.

What Is Good Judgement? In short, good judgment is wise decision-making. It’s applied wisdom. The sources of good judgment are knowledge, skill, critical thinking, logical thinking, reflective thinking, experience, and intuition.

Being mindful of the concept of good judgment will make creative thinkers better decision-makers. Are you using good judgment in your creative thinking?

What Does Thinking Outside the Box Mean?

The first step in understanding all forms of creative thinking is to understand the term “thinking outside the box.” This picture from Wikipedia illustrates what thinking outside the box is. Your goal with this mental puzzle is to connect all nine dots with four lines without lifting your pencil. As the blue lines in the picture show, you can only do this by extending the lines beyond the perimeter of the nine dots.

So, that’s where the term “thinking outside the box” comes from. The goal of solving problems is not to think outside the box. We think outside the box because the answer does not lie inside the box. We must develop an intuitive grasp of how much time and effort we should devote inside the box and outside the box.

By definition, if we have a problem, we don’t know where the solution lies. There is usually little point in thinking outside the box automatically. We should start by logically understanding the problems and solutions that exist inside the box. But as the minutes pass, we must broaden our thinking.

Consider the puzzle with the nine dots. At what point should we start thinking outside the box? If it’s presented as a mental brainteaser-type puzzle, we want to move outside the box quickly. Still, I would begin inside the box to see where it goes, as it will provide feedback.

Here are the first three questions that pop into my mind as I start to think outside the box:

»»  What am I missing? What am I not seeing? Is there a different way of seeing things?

What Does Lateral Thinking Mean?

Edward de Bono (1933–2021), a pioneer in the field of creative thinking and problem-solving, coined the term “lateral thinking” in his book The Use of Lateral Thinking (1967). In short, lateral thinking contrasts with linear thinking (which de Bono calls vertical thinking). Since then, de Bono has written many books on creative thinking.

Once again, many terms capture the essence of creative thinking. Lateral thinking is a confusing term for several reasons. First, how does the term lateral relate to creativity? We will get to that shortly. But first, here is another confusing aspect. De Bono contrasts lateral thinking with vertical thinking.

Which of these three terms do you think means about the same thing?

» »  lateral thinking, vertical thinking, linear thinking

Well, vertical thinking and linear thinking are synonyms. That’s strange because lateral and linear seem more related. Regardless, it’s like this:

» »  lateral thinking VS. vertical/linear thinking

Let’s first look at vertical/linear thinking.

Vertical / Linear Thinking Defined

Here is how vertical/linear thinking is commonly described. Linear or vertical thinking refers to a structured, step-by-step approach. It is a sequential, logical progression from one point to another. It follows a structured approach to thinking and problem-solving, where one moves vertically or linearly through levels of understanding or analysis.

Now, let’s look at de Bono’s lateral thinking.

Lateral Thinking Defined

1. Lateral thinking is the process of using information to bring about creativity and insight restructuring. The aim of lateral thinking is to look at things in different ways, to restructure patterns, to generate alternatives. In lateral thinking, one uses information not for its own sake but for its effect. Lateral thinking enhances the effectiveness of vertical thinking. – Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step (1970) by Edward de Bono

2. Lateral thinking involves approaching problems indirectly and creatively, often by generating new ideas or connections that may not be immediately obvious. It’s about breaking out of traditional thought patterns to find innovative solutions. Lateral thinking encourages the exploration of multiple possibilities and perspectives through various techniques. Instead of tackling a topic directly and logically, lateral thinking asks you to explore different angles, make unusual connections, and break away from traditional thought patterns.

3. Lateral Thinking Techniques: Here are a few of de Bono’s lateral thinking techniques: Generating alternatives, challenging assumptions, the reversal method, brainstorming, analogies, NO and PO (Provocative Operation), Fractionation, and Concepts, Divisions, Polarization—and more.

You are probably familiar with at least a few of these techniques. However, others won’t make any sense without reading the book. Here is a brief explanation of two of the terms listed above.

4. Technique: PO = Provocative Operation: These are deliberate actions or statements designed to provoke new ideas, break existing thought patterns, and encourage creative thinking. In short, use provocative (even shocking) actions or statements to engage the creative mind.

5. Technique: Fractionation: This amounts to breaking things into smaller, simpler parts or fractions—but not strictly along logical lines. De Bono says, “Since the purpose of fractionation is to break up the solid unity of a fixed pattern rather than to provide a descriptive analysis, it does not matter if the fractions do not cover the whole situation.” In short, these fractions can be rearranged or formed to create different combinations. Basically, it’s creative division and composition.

Lateral Thinking vs. Vertical / Linear Thinking

The following eleven quotes are from Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step (1970) by Edward de Bono.

Grammar Note: De Bono uses many comma splices. Since the book is professionally edited, the author and publisher obviously view those comma splices as a creative stylistic choice that de Bono’s readers will accept and appreciate. I added a few commas to set off prepositional phrases and a couple of semi-colons to improve clarity.

1. Like logical thinking, lateral thinking is a way of using the mind.

2. Vertical thinking is selective, lateral thinking is generative: Rightness is what matters in vertical thinking. Richness is what matters in lateral thinking. Vertical thinking selects a pathway by excluding other pathways. Lateral thinking does not select but seeks to open up other pathways. With vertical thinking, one selects the most promising approach to a problem, the best way of looking at a situation. With lateral thinking, one generates as many alternative approaches as one can.

3. With vertical thinking, one is trying to select the best approach, but with lateral thinking, one is generating different approaches for the sake of generating them.

4. Vertical thinking moves only if there is a direction in which to move, lateral thinking moves in order to generate a direction.

5. Vertical thinking is analytical, lateral thinking is provocative.

6. Vertical thinking is sequential, lateral thinking can make jumps.

7. With vertical thinking, one has to be correct at every step; with lateral thinking, one does not have to be.

8. With vertical thinking, one uses the negative in order to block off certain pathways. With lateral thinking, there is no negative.

9. With vertical thinking, categories, classifications, and labels are fixed; with lateral thinking, they are not.

10. Vertical thinking follows the most likely paths, lateral thinking explores the least likely.

11. Vertical thinking is a finite process, lateral thinking is a probabilistic one.

Lateral Thinking: Lateral at Stages or Steps

Here is the point of this section in advance: Go lateral at stages or steps or even as a whole—but avoid the multiverse.

We can use lateral thinking as we develop large-scale multi-step plans or projects. However, we don’t want to do it in a chaotic way where we create endless multiverses of ideas. Do you know anyone who likes to think ten steps ahead but can’t figure out how to take that first step? Everything is easy out in the future. The hard part is usually right in front of us. Many dreamers never deal with the first step—or the next step.

Here’s why de Bono calls it lateral thinking. Once again, this is my interpretation. The purpose of creative thinking is threefold: 1) Idea Generation, 2) Seeing Possibilities, and 3) Making Connections. These activities help us make wise decisions.

The reality is that each decision only takes us so far into the future before we must make another decision. Maybe that next decision will be easy. On the other hand, we may need more: 1) Idea Generation, 2) Seeing Possibilities, and 3) Making Connections.

We go lateral so that we don’t get into a multiverse situation with endless (1) ideas, (2) possibilities, and (3) connections. Can you imagine an endless stream of (1) ideas, (2) possibilities, and (3) connections? That’s not what creativity is about. That’s chaos.

Remember, lateral thinking and vertical/linear thinking work together. Here’s how it works. We think vertically in stages or steps but also laterally at each stage or step.

• Stage/Step 1:  1) Idea Generation, 2) Seeing Possibilities, and 3) Making Connections.
• Stage/Step 2:  1) Idea Generation, 2) Seeing Possibilities, and 3) Making Connections.
• Stage/Step 3:  1) Idea Generation, 2) Seeing Possibilities, and 3) Making Connections.

To be clear, no one can tell you how to solve problems, make decisions, and create success in your endeavors. This is a model. Creative thinking is a tool. You must think for yourself and use good judgment.

Positive Words and Negative Words for Creative Thinking: What to Avoid and What to Aim For

Creativity is a universally admired quality—when it leads to success. When creativity creates failure, people tend to use harsh words against those creative minds.

The most successful creative minds also have logical and pragmatic minds. No book on creativity will tell you that you don’t need a logical and practical side to your creative mind. One of the early books on creativity was called “Applied Imagination.” That says it all. Our goal is not to be daydreamers who never do anything.

Here are two lists of words. We could call them “What to Avoid and What to Aim For.”

Negative Creative Thinking: Wild, haphazard, unrealistic, chaotic, all over the place, unfocused, emotional, illogical, irrational, delusional, absurd, impractical, erratic, scattershot, incoherent, fantastical, unhinged, nonsensical.

Positive Creative Thinking: Innovative, imaginative, visionary, original, inventive, inspired, artistic, resourceful, ingenious, dynamic, intuitive, bold, unique, clever, brilliant, pioneering, adaptive, enterprising, insightful, thoughtful, versatile, flexible, ambitious, open-minded, multidimensional, cutting-edge, groundbreaking, transformative, resourceful, proactive, enlightened, breakthrough, revolutionary, perceptive, forward-thinking, elevated.

Most people want to be viewed as the right kind of creative thinker because they want to be taken seriously and create success. Use good judgment in your creative thinking.