Making Connections

The essence of creative thinking, or as Michael Michalko calls it "Creative Thinkering," is to make connections between things that seem unconnected.  It takes practice and a willingness to step outside of your arena of expertise and learn things that seem irrelevant.

That's one of the benefits of required courses in subjects other than the one you're majoring in.  When you are sitting in one of these classes wondering "What does this have to do with me?" or "How is this relevant to my major?" don't stop there.  Take those questions seriously.  Then make one small change and act.

The small change.  Start with this statement: This subject does have something to do with me.  This subject is relevant.

The action: Find out how. 

Don't wait for someone to show you how things are connected.  Make connections.  You'll be flexing your creative thinking muscle and coming up with new ideas.  You never know what that might lead to. ​