The book of Proverbs begins: ‘These are the proverbs of Solomon…Their purpose is to teach people wisdom…to help them understand the insights of the wise…to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance’ (Proverbs 1:1-5 NLT). Creative thinking is simply disciplined thinking. If you think you know all there is to know, then you already know everything you’re ever going to know. In order to break out of the box, you must begin by asking the right questions. Sir Antony Jay said, ‘The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a creative mind to spot wrong questions.’ Wrong questions halt the process of creative thinking. They send you down the same old path. In order to change your life, you must change your thinking. That means you must be willing to ask these two questions: ‘Why must it always be done this way? Is there a better way?’ Whether your goal is to build a better life, or a better family, or a better business, or a better church, or a better career, or a better ‘anything’, all change and progress must begin by honestly asking those two questions. The saying is true: ‘If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.’ So, do you want to succeed? You must be willing to change your thinking in order to accomplish it.
