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. But if you want to think outside of the box, the best place to start is 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 bring about change, we must first change our thinking. That means we 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 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. So, if you want to be a creative thinker, you need to be willing to change your thinking first – then the ideas will start flowing!.
