The Art of Creative Thinking - Deepstash

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JOHN ADAIR

You do not have to conjure up new ideas from the air. Your task as a creative thinker is to combine ideas or elements that already exist. If the result is an unlikely but valuable combination of ideas or things that hitherto were not thought to be linked, then you will be seen as a creative thinker. You will have added value to the synthesis, for a whole is more than the sum of its parts

JOHN ADAIR

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1.11K reads

Creativity is About Connecting Ideas

šŸ”— Borrow from Everywhere – Creativity isn’t about making something from nothing; it’s about combining existing ideas in new ways.

šŸŒ The Wider the Lens, the Better – The most creative thinkers draw inspiration from different fields, industries, and even nature.

šŸ’” Innovation is Adaptation – Many great inventions, from radar to Velcro, originated by applying concepts from one area to another.ss you bring it to life.

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867 reads

Curiosity Fuels Innovation

🧐 Question Everything – The best creative thinkers never stop asking, "Why?" and "What if?"

šŸŽ­ Observe Like an Artist – Paying close attention to the details of life can inspire breakthroughs in unexpected ways.

šŸ“– Read to Expand Your Thinking – Books introduce new perspectives that spark innovative ideas.

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773 reads

Creativity Thrives on Serendipity

šŸš€ Expect the Unexpected – Many discoveries, from penicillin to microwave ovens, happened by accident—but only to those paying attention.

šŸ—ŗ Wander to Discover – Exploration, whether physical or intellectual, leads to unexpected creative breakthroughs.

šŸ”Ž Be Open to Happy Accidents – Sometimes, the best ideas come from mistakes or unintended results.

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691 reads

Overcoming Mental Blocks

šŸ”“ Test Your Assumptions – Questioning ingrained beliefs can lead to fresh solutions.

šŸŒ€ Embrace Ambiguity – Not having all the answers can be uncomfortable, but creativity often emerges from uncertainty.

🧠 Use Your Depth Mind – Solutions often arise when you stop overthinking and let your subconscious work.

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630 reads

The Power of Keeping a Notebook

āœ Capture Every Idea – A notebook helps preserve fleeting thoughts before they disappear.

šŸ“Œ Revisit and Connect – Looking back at old notes can spark new ideas by linking thoughts in unexpected ways.

🌱 Ideas Grow Over Time – Creativity isn’t always instant; sometimes, the best concepts need time to develop.

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542 reads

Creativity Requires Action

ā³ Don’t Wait for Inspiration – Creative people show up and do the work, even when they don’t feel inspired.

šŸ›  Work it Out – Ideas improve through iteration, experimentation, and refinement.

šŸ† Execution is Everything – A great idea is meaningless unless you bring it to life.

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IDEAS CURATED BY

gbiondizoccai

Cardiologist, scientist, and former airborne officer

CURATOR'S NOTE

Creativity is not about sudden genius but about making connections, questioning assumptions, and staying open to new ideas. John Adair explores how curiosity, observation, serendipity, and persistence fuel innovation. By keeping a notebook, testing ideas, and embracing ambiguity, anyone can develop creative thinking skills to generate fresh solutions and insights.

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Different Perspectives Curated by Others from The Art of Creative Thinking

Curious about different takes? Check out our book page to explore multiple unique summaries written by Deepstash curators:

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