Bono — Lateral Thinking

In my job as marketing manager I often strived to become more creative. Either by changing how I worked or by switching to a new job — like becoming a photographer or a designer.

Last year I started working in an animation studio after several years spent in software companies.

Being next to so-called creative people had one major impact on me.

I no longer believe that ‘creative’ equals to ‘artist’ or ‘musician’. I see many people who work with art and are not ‘doing their own thing’, just rewriting what already is there.

So before I go ahead and look for a more ‘creative’ job I want to change my mindset to start thinking independently.

I have read a book by Edward de Bono called Lateral Thinking and here is my take-away (just a few points in chaotic order)

There are two ways to improve things: 1. Look for improvements directly. 2. Identify what’s standing in the way of a better way thing could be.

When you are faced with solving a problem, first identify the most typical, straight-forward solution. Then go ahead and tweak it in most weird ways.

An unusual place with lots of stimulus all unbrelated to your problem can be a good source of inspiration! Library, market, grandma’s place, quirky art installation…Don’t look for anything in particlular, just be open and attentive.