Think Like Bill Gates - Power of New Ideas

Think Like Bill Gates - Power of New Ideas. You don't have to be
"artistic" to be creative. Everyone can learn to generate bold,
groundbreaking ideas by adopting a creative approach and
applying the best thinking tools. There are three key approaches to
generating new ideas: Breaking old thinking patterns. Making new
connections. Getting fresh perspectives. Here is what I'm trying to
say in this episode. Breaking Old Thinking Patterns We can all get
stuck in certain "tracks" of thought. They may be so comfortable
that we don't even realize that they're holding us back! So, to
have fresh ideas, we need to break away from established patterns
of thought and start to see new paths ahead. Here are some of the
best ways to do it: A. Challenge Your Assumptions You likely bring
a set of assumptions to each and every situation. Many of them may
turn out to be true, but challenging your preconceptions can also
open up some exciting possibilities. B. Rephrase the Problem The
way you define or frame your problem can limit your creativity. If
you describe the issue you're trying to solve in a different way or
look at it from a different angle, new solutions can emerge. C.
Think in Reverse If you're finding it difficult to think of a new
approach, try turning the problem upside-down! Flip the question
and explore the exact opposite of what you want to achieve.
This can present you with innovative ways to tackle the real issue.
D. Mix Your Media Radical ideas can arise from tackling problems in
unusual ways. A great way to do this is to apply different types of
creativity – don't just talk or write about your plans, explore
them through music, painting, photography, sculpture… whatever
enables you to express yourself. Fresh thinking can emerge when you
let your creative juices flow! 2. Making New Connections Another
way to generate new ideas is to make new and unexpected
connections. Some of the best ideas seem to occur almost by chance
– you see or hear something unconnected with the situation you're
trying to resolve, and a lightbulb goes on in your head! Try some
of the following strategies for forging creative connections:
Random words. Pick a word at random from any document, then
look for novel associations between that word and your problem. For
example, if you were exploring ways to reduce sick leave in your
company, and your random word was "ball," you might hit on the idea
of organizing a monthly softball game, to raise morale and motivate
people to stay healthy. Picture prompts. Images can be a great
way to inspire creative thinking. Pick any image, find a connection
with your problem – however tenuous – and notice any new
possibilities that open up. A picture of a giant redwood, for
instance, might suggest new ways to organizes the teams and
"branches" within your business. Objects of interest. How
about asking your team members to bring a small object of their
choice to your next ideas meet? You could generate new ideas by
asking questions such as, "How is this object like the problem
we're trying to solve?" or "How could we use this object to meet
our challenge?" A stapler, say, might prompt you to consider
whether people on your team are becoming disconnected. Maybe you
could set up a new communications channel to "fasten" them back
together? 3. Find a Fresh Perspective to everything in life!