Alan's Creativity Challenges 2003-04
What If-ing?One of the first creative thinking tools I learned was simply to ask "What If?"
Simply asking yourself or your team "What If ____ could happen or happens?, you
can usually capture missed observations or details or considerations.
This week practice stretching your thinking by asking yourself periodically
throughout each day, "What If?"
Each day choose something different to focus on.
MONDAY
Focus on quantities today.
What if we had more than we need? What could we do?
What if we didn't have enough?
What if someone else had more?
What if we suddenly didn't have any?
TUESDAY
Focus on alternate uses for objects.
What if we used ____ for _____?
WEDNESDAY
Focus on features or steps of processes.
What if we changed this step to _____?
THURSDAY
Focus on relationships between things.
What if ____ was ____ related to ____?
FRIDAY
Focus on relationships between people.
What if _____ was _____ to _____?
Each day take 10 to 15 minutes to experiment with stretching your thinking by
asking yourself "What if?" questions.
The more we stretch our thinking the greater we increase the probability we will
think more creatively.
Have a creative week. It is your choice.
Alan
© 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 Robert Alan Black, Ph.D. CSP