I’ve spent the past twenty years studying, practicing, teaching and writing about how to think differently.
The first observation I can make is that intellectually we all GET the idea of thinking creatively. We KNOW we should look at ideas from a new perspective.
The second observation I’ll make is that very few practice it.
And my third observation is that if we don’t take personal responsibility for looking at things in a different way, someone else will. And they will reap the rewards.
Where do you begin?
Sometimes you just need a thump on the head.
How do you take an idea and start running at it from a million different directions? They key is to start with a single thought and start throwing some wildly creative thinking at it.
I don’t spend my days thinking creatively on a global basis. In other words, I don’t approach everything thinking, “How I can look at this differently?” Some people do… take my little brother for example. He’s known as the “what if” kid.
But I LOVE to take a single idea and explore it. From every angle I can come up with. It’s not as hard as you might think. The following posts are full of ideas on how to look at things in new ways. On how to take ordinary thinking and turn it into extraordinary thinking.
Here are my Top 7 Posts to get you on your creative thinking way.
Want to look at something in a completely fresh way? This post will help you break out of habitual thinking. If you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you be doing right now?
How do we change direction so that we don’t end up where we are heading? A shift in thinking would be, “I’m going to take a different route today.”
It’s Time to Start Talking to Some New People
Think about the people you know who are really busy and involved with life. Who continue to learn and explore new things. Maybe you should ask them out to lunch.
This is about looking at things as they are and seeing them as they might be with a nudge here and a twist there. It’s really about creating new worlds out of the one in front of your eyes.
Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? is an excellent place to start.
The Art of Creativity in Business
Change your question. Challenge current conventions. Reverse your viewpoint. Ask yourself what is missing from the picture. What happens when you turn an idea upside down?
8 Ways to Avoid Business Burnout or How to Get Unstuck
Some simple things you can do today to get unstuck. Such as, Clean desk, clean mind. That piece of paper you’ve handled three times? Toss it. File it. Delegate it. This applies to email too.
Neverware: A Great Story of a Young Entrepreneur
Take a look at this remarkable story of a ‘kid’ with an innovative idea, tremendous perseverance and no quit in him despite hearing “No” from almost every corner.
There’s an old Wayne Gretzky quote that I love. ‘I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.’ And we’ve always tried to do that at Apple. Since the very very beginning. And we always will. —Steve Jobs
Why sit on a great idea? Are you ready to invest in yourself, trust your crazy idea and turn it into an extraordinary one? To explore your most innovative thinking?
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My friend Sheila Atwood over at Newbie Lifeline is holding a Headline Blog Challenge. This post is my contribution to her challenge.
If you haven’t been over to Newbie Lifeline, The Beginners Guide To Making Money Online, please take a minute and hop on over there. Sheila has been sharing hot tips and money making ideas like there’s NO tomorrow! She’s one of the most generous bloggers I know.
There’s still time to join the headline challenge. You have until midnight April 30th, MST to write your post. Visit her site for the contest guidelines.
Oh, and one last note. These 7 extra headlines? Just icing on the cake.
Your turn.
How do you shake off old paradigms and see something with new eyes?
Related posts:
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Theresa,
You do write great headlines and posts to go with those. I can’t tell you how many times I read one of your posts and have to come back to comment because you have made me look a little deeper.
Out of your top creative thinking posts, my favorite is “Neverware: A Great Story of a Young Entrepreneur.” I often think of this inspiring story when I need a big push.
P.S. You are on the Blog Challenge list. Thanks for joining.
Sheila Atwood recently posted..Fixing WordPress Problems- Is It Your Theme Or Your Plugins
Thank you Sheila – One reason I joined your blog challenge is because you linked to so many inspiring posts on headline writing. (I read them all.) That and the fact that I’ve sometimes felt I was tad bit headline challenged. Your compliment has totally made my day! This was a stretch for me and I’ve learned a lot.
I also want to thank you for all of your great comments here. Your support is awesome. Hope your blog challenge rocks and that you get a ton of participants.
~Theresa
Oh and I should add something else to my reply Sheila. This is rather telling. The url for this post was my working title. I didn’t notice it until after I’d published. I thought about going back and changing it… but well, it kind of tells a story. And who am I kidding? I had multiple working titles. An entire posts worth. Maybe I shouldn’t have deleted them.
You wrote “How do you shake off old paradigms and see something with new eyes?” – that can be a tall order. Perspective and knowledge come into play. For someone new to writing, blogging, publishing – your tips and techniques are like opening a treasure box. For somebody like me who has been reading (and writing) good advice for a long time, I ask myself “How many more times can we re-invent the same stuff and recycle it over and over again,” which is exactly the role the “guru” must play… to shake off those old paradigms one needs to (I hate to say it) “think outside the box.”
A better example might be the career of rap artist Nicki Minaj, who went from a relatively unremarkable, rather plain-looking minor player to a glam SUPERSTAR in demand for collaborative projects with the likes of Mariah Carey, Britney Spears etc., all in a relatively short 4-year timespan. Particulary interesting is how Minaj hijacked the “Barbie” franchise without stepping on any copyright toes: This could be a great lesson for bloggers… Minaj-icize your blogs!
Hmmm… I may have to blog about this myself later on today!
Like opening a treasure box? Thank you Dave.
Yes, the ‘guru’ (luminary?) must play that role. Each person interprets ideas in a way that is unique to them. And only them. I believe we all have to put our own voice into the conversation. If we believed we didn’t have something unique to add, and that stopped us from contributing, the world would be sad place indeed.
I wasn’t familiar with Nicki Minaj until I read your intriguing comment. I’ve been doing a little searching around the web. I agree, her story, and your take on ‘Minaj-icize your blogs’, would be a great post. I hope you write it.
Thanks for your very thought provoking (and wonderful) comment Dave!
~Theresa
Hi Theresa,
You’ve got a great grouping of titles and posts for Sheila’s challenge! Well done. And like Sheila, the one that has stuck with me ever since you wrote it was the Neverware post. Indeed inspiring!
My husband forever teases me about how I look at things from so many angles, sometimes in the span of a few seconds or minutes while I’m responding to something he said. LOL.
Love the mention of your “What If” brother. Gotta love that kind of thinking, as long as it stays in positive territory, anyway.
Also enjoyed Dave’s comment above where he mentioned how “gurus” must play. Great point! As well as his story about Nicki Minaj. I’m going to have to check it out myself (and visit his blog).
It’s just so wonderful how you attract such great readers / commenters. It’s because you are one that looks at things from new perspectives regularly. Refreshing. Enjoyable. Worthy.
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The ability to look at things from a lot of angles makes for a very good blogger Deb. And an interesting dinner companion (or spouse). You must be a source of constant inspiration to Dan. Here he is, talking to you about a single thing, and you’ve gone places in a second that never occurred to him. What a great talent to possess.
My brother’s ‘what ifs’ tend to be pretty far out there. Rarely negative. Just ideas that make me scratch my head and think, “What goes on inside his mind?” Makes me wonder about all of the things he doesn’t say!
I agree with you. Dave’s comment was great. As are all of the comments around here.
It would be so fun to get together in person again one of these days, wouldn’t it?
~Theresa
I have to write an assignment and I am racking my brains for so long to come up with ideas! Bookmarked!
Hi Hajra! I hope you find some inspiration here. Please come back and let us know how it goes!
~Theresa
Hi T
Thanks for the links.
If I might be permitted a couple of quotes…
“Man’s mind, stretched to a new idea, never goes back to the original dimensions.”
And if you are sitting down…
“The length of things is vanity, only their height is joy.”
I don’t know what that means, but I love the sound of it. LOL
Keith Davis recently posted..Keep it short- keep it sharp
Hey Keith, I always love your quotes! Especially this one: “Man’s mind, stretched to a new idea, never goes back to the original dimensions.” That is so great.
Where did you come up with your second quote? I’ve got to think you have some thoughts on its meaning. I can relate to ‘height is joy’… especially if it’s in reference to flying.
Are you ready for the wedding? Do you realize how early I have to get up to watch? Got your top hot buffed – or whatever you do to spiff it up? Seriously, what are doing Friday?
~Theresa
Hi T
Friday is a national holiday in the UK so we are all well prepared.
My tickets to the actual event appear to have been lost bin the post, but I’ll watch some of it with my wife and daughter.
In between Royal Wedding watching and no doubt toasting, I’ll be finishing a post, which mentions you and Mel Kissell.
I can say no more.
Off now to see if those tickets have arrived… can’t understand it.
Keith Davis recently posted..Keep it short- keep it sharp
That sounds like a lot of fun Keith! I’ll be thinking of you:) We’ll raise a toast to all of our friends in the UK. Cheers!
And oh! A surprise on the horizon. I love having things to look forward to! Your post. Sheila’s contest results. It’s just like looking forward to the holidays. I can’t wait to see what you have up your clever sleeves. I know it will be good.
Have fun tomorrow!
~Theresa
Post now published – hope you enjoy it.
Keith Davis recently posted..Online Video- Un Art… Une Technique
Hi Theresa,
What I have found in this magnificent post is a luscious array of appetizers, a delectable entree, and a tantalizing dessert!
One thing I’ve discovered the older (and hopefully wiser) I get …
Life is no fun and holds little meaning if you take the path of least resistance.
Works great for the flow of water and electricity, but not if you intend to lead a purposeful and fulfilling life — and leave a legacy behind.
Thanks for handing me the clues and sending me off on a scavenger hunt to find creativity!
Kudos for joining Sheila’s headline-writing contest.
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur recently posted..How To Get More From Google Analytics
Thank you Melanie! You are not someone I would say is creatively challenged. But I’m delighted to add to your extensive and vast resources.
You’re right about the path of least resistance. I rarely find reward in taking the easy route. Great ideas take some effort. Whether it’s in the form of research, education, meditation, intention, teaming up with others or spending a lifetime perfecting a single idea (this list could go on forever)… there will be rewards as a result of your efforts. Rarely does that brilliant idea fall into your lap. And when it does? Oh happy day.
And I agree. It is all fun and very, very meaningful.
Happy hunting:)
~Theresa
Theresa! This is just want I needed today. I’m working on my “big idea” and I need some jump points for launching my creative thinking. I can’t wait to dig into these posts!
Good luck with the contest!
Marlee recently posted..By Popular Demand- A solopreneur’s guide to creating a stop gap plan
Hi Marlee! Thanks for your best wishes on the contest. Are you participating? It’s funny… I haven’t received feedback on my headline. Is it lame? Or did I get people too busy looking at other posts? lol!
“Big idea”… I really like the sound of that! Let me know if something resonates with you. I love feedback. At the very least, I hope you are truly inspired!
~Theresa
Hi Theresa,
Your headline about an idea caught my attention and inspired me to read and re-read your post several times now. It’ve had it open since I clicked on it some time yesterday.
I’ve finally taken the advice of your headline and bookmarked it so that I can feel comfortable enough to close the tab with assurance I won’t forget to get back to it for more inspiration.
I did have an idea that I’ve had dancing in my head for a couple of weeks and was motivated today to get in touch with the person I need to tell it to if I want to make it happen. Thank you thank you for the inspiration and motivation to move forward from the idea stage. It’s wonderful to have something to hope for.
Thank you again and again,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen! You are most welcome and thank you so much for your comment. I’m glad my headline caught your attention – Sheila is holding a headline contest after all. And I was just saying (above) that I hadn’t received any comments about it.
I thought it would be fun to write a headline with a call to action. Thanks for bookmarking! You made my day. Actually this has been a lot of fun.
I am delighted for you that you are moving from the idea stage into action Kathleen. That is simply awesome. Thank you for sharing.
And, what an intriguing scenario you introduced by your comment. Hmmm… I’m dying of curiosity! Did you contact the person you wanted to speak to? I hope it goes really well.
My very best wishes,
Theresa
You presents many resources to improve our idea finding. I mostly like the “how to ask amazing question” since it tells me how to ask to get the great idea.
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