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  1. The difference between a creative genius and you.

    Posted August 21st, 2008

    When it comes to creative problem solving, you and I are probably the same. In–fact, it’s safe to say that all humans tend to solve problems the same way. With the exception of creative geniuses (such as Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Isaac Newton, etc.).

    While you and I would react as a typical human being when confronted with a problem, a creative genius goes about problem solving in a completely different way. It’s that different way of thinking that makes a creative genius… well, a creative genius!

    Here’s my opinion about the different problem solving strategies used by the average male and female, and by creative geniuses.

    The average Joe.

    When faced with a problem, the average male will make the mistake of dedicating themselves to finding a solution based on past experiences. Funny thing is, even if there really is no relationship between the current problem and a past one, the average Joe will try to solve the current problem using previously successful techniques.


    The average Jane.

    The average female, when faced with a problem, will first let her feelings guide her to a solution; if that fails she will either solicit help from someone else, or convince herself that she knows the solution already, she just has to dig around in her thoughts to find it. Much like the average Joe, she is convinced that there is a right solution, and a wrong solution.


    The Creative Genius.

    When a creative genius is confronted with a problem, he or she will first ask: “how many ways might I solve this problem?” The Creative Genius knows that there are more solutions to their problem than imaginable, and the only sure–fire way to find an innovative solution would be to find as many solutions as possible (no matter how absurd they may be).


    You and I might look at a problem and expect a specific result (for example: what is one–half of thirteen? The solution can be found at the bottom of this article), but a creative genius knows that the best way to solve a problem is to identify as many solutions as possible.

    Finding those solutions can be as easy as searching for inspiration, using a chart or graph, generating random connections from the problem to unrelated things, etc.

    If you want to solve problems like a creative genius, start thinking like a creative genius, not like the average Joe or Jane. Oh, and the question “what is one–half of thirteen?” can actually be answered several different ways*. The expected (non-creative) answer would be 6.5, or six and a half; however, the answer could also be thir (with the other half being teen).

    *This example was given in Michael Michalko’s book: Cracking Creativity.