Learn how to generate new and original ideas that are useful and relevant with these six techniques to stimulate your creative thinking skills.

When working in the digital transformation team, we used the double-diamond method. First is to ideate, no pre-judgement, source and create ideas, writing them down on a canvas of your choice. Visible so you can see them in one place. The aim of diverging is to come up with fresh concepts, which means the procedure is inevitably impulsive, disorganised, and disorderly. You cannot entirely strategise or systematise your actions when in divergence mode, and it is not recommended that you attempt to do so. This is the period to meander, to let your mind wander. Next, we started categorising and building connections. Convergence allows you to spot patterns, refine ideas and allow the good ones to rise to the surface.

How do you stimulate creative thinking?

Creative thinking is the ability to generate new and original ideas, solutions, or perspectives that are useful and relevant. It is a crucial skill for innovation, problem-solving, and personal growth. But how do you stimulate creative thinking? Here are some tips and techniques that can help you unleash your imagination and spark your creativity.

1 Be curious

One of the best ways to stimulate creative thinking is to be curious about everything. Ask questions, explore new topics, learn new skills, and challenge your assumptions. Curiosity opens your mind to new possibilities and perspectives, and helps you discover new connections and patterns. It also fuels your motivation and passion for learning and creating.

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2 Diverge and converge

Another technique to stimulate creative thinking is to use the diverge-converge process. This means that you first generate as many ideas as possible without judging or filtering them, and then you narrow them down to the most promising ones based on some criteria. Diverging helps you expand your options and avoid fixation on one solution, while converging helps you evaluate and refine your ideas and make them more feasible and effective.

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Darren Bush

Global TA Lead at Ericsson | Get Hired Toolkit - Free Articles & Videos for Job Seekers | TA Tech Podcast Host
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When working in the digital transformation team, we used the double-diamond method. First is to ideate, no pre-judgement, source and create ideas, writing them down on a canvas of your choice. Visible so you can see them in one place. The aim of diverging is to come up with fresh concepts, which means the procedure is inevitably impulsive, disorganised, and disorderly. You cannot entirely strategise or systematise your actions when in divergence mode, and it is not recommended that you attempt to do so. This is the period to meander, to let your mind wander. Next, we started categorising and building connections. Convergence allows you to spot patterns, refine ideas and allow the good ones to rise to the surface.

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3 Use analogies and metaphors

A third technique to stimulate creative thinking is to use analogies and metaphors. These are linguistic tools that help you compare and contrast different concepts, domains, or phenomena, and find similarities and differences between them. Analogies and metaphors can help you make sense of complex or abstract problems, generate new insights and associations, and communicate your ideas more clearly and vividly.

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4 Seek feedback and collaboration

A fourth technique to stimulate creative thinking is to seek feedback and collaboration from others. Feedback can help you improve your ideas, identify gaps or flaws, and gain new perspectives and insights. Collaboration can help you combine and build on each other's ideas, leverage diverse skills and experiences, and create a supportive and stimulating environment. Feedback and collaboration can also challenge you to think critically and creatively, and to overcome biases and blind spots.

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5 Experiment and iterate

A fifth technique to stimulate creative thinking is to experiment and iterate. This means that you test your ideas in practice, observe the results, learn from the feedback, and make changes accordingly. Experimenting and iterating can help you validate your assumptions, discover new opportunities and challenges, and optimize your solutions. It can also help you embrace uncertainty and failure, and learn from your mistakes.

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6 Relax and have fun

A sixth technique to stimulate creative thinking is to relax and have fun. This means that you reduce stress, anxiety, and pressure, and enjoy the process of creating and learning. Relaxing and having fun can help you boost your mood, energy, and confidence, and unleash your intuition and imagination. It can also help you overcome mental blocks, distractions, and fears, and tap into your intrinsic motivation and passion.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you stimulate creative thinking?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Be curious

2 Diverge and converge

3 Use analogies and metaphors

4 Seek feedback and collaboration

5 Experiment and iterate

6 Relax and have fun

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creativity Skills

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How do you stimulate creative thinking?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Be curious

2 Diverge and converge

3 Use analogies and metaphors

4 Seek feedback and collaboration

5 Experiment and iterate

6 Relax and have fun

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creativity Skills

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