Being Creative Everyday - Thinking Creatively, A Masterclass

Ever wondered how to spark creativity on demand? Drew Boyd, a global leader in creativity and innovation, believes that everyone can boost their creative output—and it can transform not just your work, but your life! ???

Drew Boyd's Thinking Creatively course is a masterclass in sparking creativity. With over 30 years of experience, Boyd has developed a systematic framework that’s both easy to understand and incredibly effective. His approach to creativity isn’t just about artistic thinking—it’s a roadmap to innovation that can be applied in every area of life. ????

Why Creativity Matters ??

Creativity isn’t just about painting or designing. It’s about generating ideas—whether you’re planning your career path or finding a new way to solve problems at work. Research shows that creativity is linked to longer life and better health! Being creative can reduce stress and make us more resilient. So, why not give it a try? ??

What Exactly Is Creativity? ??

Drew breaks it down simply: a creative idea is new, useful, and surprising. It might be a thought you’ve never had before, or a new way to solve an old problem. But the magic happens when two unrelated ideas suddenly collide—creating something fresh and innovative. ??

Breaking Through Barriers ??

Sometimes, the biggest barrier to creativity isn’t a lack of time or resources, but our own fixed thinking. Drew explains that fixedness—our tendency to see things in one way—can stop us from thinking outside the box. But once we break that habit, we can start seeing new possibilities everywhere! ??

Techniques to Boost Creativity ??

Drew’s Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT) offers five key patterns that can channel your creativity:

1. Subtraction: Remove something essential and see what new possibilities arise. For example, an exercise bike without a rear wheel becomes a stationary bike! ??♀?
2. Division: Split a product into parts and reassemble them in new ways.
3. Multiplication: Copy an existing element but change it. Cameras use two flashes to prevent red-eye in photos—a simple yet effective solution! ??
4. Task Unification: Assign a new task to an existing resource, like Thomas Edison’s gate that pumped water as guests opened it. ??
5. Attribute Dependency: Make one thing change as another changes, like sunglasses that darken as the sun brightens. ??

Group Creativity: The Power of Diversity ??

Creativity isn’t a solo sport. Drew emphasizes the power of diverse teams—functional, gender, and cultural diversity. Different perspectives lead to richer ideas, and group brainstorming can help turn those ideas into something actionable. ????????

Final Thoughts ??

Drew’s message is clear: everyone can be more creative! By learning and applying techniques like SIT, you can start to unlock new possibilities in your work and life.

So, what’s stopping you? Get out there and start thinking creatively! ??