“Creative Thinking” ('a lively mind or resourcefulness')
Creative thinking is the ability to invent and create, to produce something new and unconventional, moving away from the usual perspective.
‘Not like everyone else, not like always’ — a course for developing imagination and creative thinking.
For those who want to increase personal effectiveness, and resourcefulness, and learn to view everything from multiple angles. Let’s break down the term ‘creative thinking skill’ into its components—it’s primarily a set of specific abilities:
- Open-mindedness
- Curiosity
- Brainstorming — the skill of solving problems by generating as many options as possible, and then selecting the most optimal one.
- Experimentation
- Problem-solving
- Observation
- Ability to develop and execute a plan of action
- Ability to connect with others, adapt quickly to new environments and teams
- Innovation
- Developed imagination
- Collaboration
- Storytelling
Course Overview
In this course, you will learn the process and methods of generating ideas, enhance your imagination, sharpen your ability to notice details, and develop your visual thinking—all of which will elevate your work. You’ll also learn to confidently propose non-standard solutions to problems, even under pressure or within constraints.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is designed for anyone whose imagination feels deflated and whose life has become a monotonous “hamster wheel.” If you’re looking to reignite your creativity and break free from routine, this is for you.
Course Structure
- Format: 10 individual online lessons.
- Frequency: One lesson every 7 days.
- Duration: 10 weeks of training.
Cost
- 55$ per hour.
What You’ll Gain
- Independence from the “muse”: Learn to create without waiting for inspiration.
- Attention to detail: Train your eye to notice the subtle and overlooked.
- Transformation of familiar forms: Turn ordinary ideas into extraordinary ones.
- Character creation: Develop heroes for your own creative universe.
- Curiosity and critical thinking: Cultivate a mindset that questions and explores.
- Alternative lives: Imagine and design new possibilities for yourself.
🌱 A Note on Limitations
All our limitations are rooted in the psyche. For more effective training, I recommend working with a psychologist in parallel. However, the choice is entirely yours.
What Prevents Us from Being Creative?
Creativity is not tied to a specific part of the brain. Instead, it involves multiple structures and both hemispheres. The brain cannot create something entirely new without relying on existing knowledge and experience. Even the most revolutionary ideas are built on what we already know. However, several psychological and environmental factors can block creativity:
- Prolonged stress and routine: These drain energy and limit mental flexibility.
- Being too serious: Overthinking can stifle imagination.
- Lack of dreaming and imagining: Without the habit of exploring new ideas, creativity withers.
- Personal problems: Divorce, loss of loved ones, job loss, business failure, debts, or moving to a new country can overwhelm the mind.
- Overcritical thinking: Easily finding reasons why something won’t work kills ideas before they can grow.
- Emotional exhaustion or prolonged illness: These leave little room for creative thinking.
- Toxic environments: If your social circle prioritizes mindless activities over creative pursuits, it’s hard to find inspiration.
- Fear of risk and mistakes: New ideas and unpredictability can feel threatening.
- Perfectionism: The fear of not being “good enough” can paralyze creativity.
- Lack of self-confidence: Relying on others’ opinions and fearing individuality stifles self-expression.
These issues can often be addressed with the help of a psychologist or psychotherapist. While drawing can be taught as a skill (including fine motor skills), writing requires a different kind of effort. If you feel scared or shy at this stage, don’t worry—there are solutions.
Exercises to Boost Creativity (No Initial Training Required)
- Noticing Details and Shapes:
- Draw 20 circles (about 3 cm in diameter) on a sheet of paper.
- Turn each circle into an everyday object (e.g., an apple, glasses).
- Repeat with other shapes: X, squares, +, triangles.
- The Collage Principle:
- Cut out pictures from magazines and combine them in unexpected ways.
- For example, give a bee big lips or a car female legs.
- Inspiration from James Friedman:
- Explore the works of British graphic designer James Friedman, known for his humorous photo edits. His “before and after” images are iconic internet memes.
- Working with Details:
- Study the blog of a designer who photographs floor tiles, focusing on patterns and textures.
- Transforming Reality:
- Add imaginative elements to ordinary photographs. For example, draw fantastical scenes into everyday images.
- (I used this exercise to lift my spirits while recovering from pneumonia when my doctor advised me to walk 20 minutes daily).
This term refers to a rigid set of habits, reactions, and daily choices. To reignite creativity, we must shake up these established patterns and relearn how to perceive the world as multifaceted.
When I was a teenager, I read Think Like Leonardo da Vinci, and its lessons have stayed with me. While I can’t guarantee that this course will make you an innovator, I can promise that it will make your life more diverse and vibrant.
