So, You’re Conceptual

Here are some tools you can use to best harness your outside-the-box thinking!

You’re a creative at heart.

You need a process that can work well for your outside-the-box thinking. Choose something that allows you to fully explore and consider a wide range of ideas, rather than being limited to more conventional or traditional approaches.

Here’s a good approach that might work best for your unconventional thinking style.

The Creative Decision-Making Process

In order to best use your innovative prowess, you need a decision-making model that leaves room for unconventional and unexpected solutions. This is where the Creative Decision-Making Process comes in handy.

  1. First, we identify the problem or need for change.

  2. Next, we gather information and immerse ourselves in the subject, seeking out expertise and understanding all the options available.

  3. Then, we set the problem aside and let our minds work on it during the incubation stage. Let the problem sit and let your unconscious do the rest.

  4. This is followed by the "eureka" moment of illumination, when the solution becomes apparent.

  5. Finally, we verify the feasibility of the solution and put it into action.

Does it really work?

This process has been used by NASA scientists who had troubles finding difficult answers to highly technical problems. Sometimes, all it takes is one eureka to get everything to click.

What are some studies that support this?

  • This 2016 article noted that “aha” moments, when used in the right situations, can often lead to powerfully accurate results (sometimes more accurate than analytical strategies). A big limitation of this study is that it studied small decisions, not large health-based ones. It’s always important to use several strategies for these complex problems.

    Nonetheless, this study verified that eureka moments aren’t just flukes, but instead serious tools that shouldn’t be forgotten when decision-making.

  • This 2019 article solidified the importance of letting problems sit. The study showed direct evidence that a serious proportion of creative ideas occur when engaged in a sort of mind-wandering. The study reminds of the unique value of letting your brain work on problems in the background.

Some Resources

Here are some tools you can use to best utilize your outside-the-box thinking and make the hard decisions a little bit easier