Deep thinkers wanted: Be original

Chapter 5 — How to push be a more innovative thinker?

“I want to put a ding in the universe.” –Steve Jobs

Original thinking refers to the ability to come up with new and innovative ideas or to think about familiar concepts in creative and original ways. It is an important skill that can be applied in a variety of settings, from problem-solving and decision-making to artistic and creative endeavours.

There are several ways in which original thinking can be achieved:

1. Encourage creativity: One way to encourage original thinking is to create an environment that is conducive to creativity. This might involve setting aside dedicated time for creative pursuits, surrounding oneself with stimulating and diverse influences, and encouraging a culture of experimentation and risk-taking.
2. Practice divergent thinking: Divergent thinking is a process of generating a wide range of potential solutions to a problem or challenge. This can be achieved through techniques such as brainstorming, mind-mapping, and lateral thinking, which involve coming up with as many ideas as possible without initially judging their feasibility or value.
3. Be open to new experiences and perspectives: Original thinking often involves being open to new experiences and perspectives, as these can help to stimulate creative thinking and provide new ideas and insights. Seeking out diverse experiences and being willing to challenge one’s own assumptions and beliefs can help to foster original thinking.
4. Engage in self-reflection and introspection: Self-reflection and introspection can also be useful for achieving original thinking, as they allow individuals to better understand their own thoughts, values, and motivations. By taking time to think about one’s own beliefs and experiences, it is possible to gain new insights and perspectives that can lead to original thinking.

Overall, achieving original thinking requires a combination of creativity, openness to new experiences, and self-reflection. By cultivating these qualities and engaging in practices such as divergent thinking and self-reflection, it is possible to develop the ability to think in original and innovative ways.

Push your thinking beyond outworn and mediocre ideas

There are several ways you can spot mediocre thinking and strive towards new and original ideas:

1. Consider the source of your ideas: One way to tell whether your thinking is original is to consider the source of your ideas. If you are simply repeating ideas that you have heard elsewhere or that are widely accepted, your thinking may be less original than if you are drawing on your own experiences and observations to come up with new ideas.
2. Evaluate the novelty of your ideas: Another way to tell whether your thinking is original is to evaluate the novelty of your ideas. If your ideas are significantly different from those that are currently accepted or widely discussed, they may be more original. However, it is important to note that originality does not necessarily mean that an idea is correct or valuable; it simply means that it is new and innovative.
3. Consider the impact of your ideas: Another way to evaluate the originality of your thinking is to consider the impact of your ideas. If your ideas are having a significant impact on the way people think or are leading to new and meaningful results, they may be more original than if they are simply repeating ideas that have already been widely discussed.
4. Seek feedback from others: Finally, seeking feedback from others can be a useful way to evaluate the originality of your thinking. By sharing your ideas with others and getting their reactions and perspectives, you can get a sense of whether your ideas are new and innovative or if they are outworn and mediocre.

Evaluating the originality of your thinking requires considering the source of your ideas, the novelty of your ideas, the impact of your ideas, and seeking feedback from others. By engaging in these activities, you can get a sense of whether your thinking is new and original or outworn and mediocre.

READ: Chapter 6 — How is thinking evolving and what will it look like in the future?