“Think outside the box.” We’ve all heard this phrase, been told to follow its advice, and probably even instructed others to do so.  However, thinking outside the box is, in all actuality, a myth. It’s one of those things that’s been passed down throughout the years and repeated over and over again but that’s really a misguided idea. In this episode, I’m going to explain why. Tune in to learn what’s wrong with the phrase, “think outside the box” and what you can do instead to become a more creative person. In this episode you’ll hear: How Dr. JP Guilford spearheaded the study of creativi ..read more

Without even realizing it, you’ve used the creativity technique of division before. In fact, you’ve probably used it many times. When it comes down to it, division is simply taking a big problem, chopping it up, and solving each little individual part of it. It’s basically the application of the common phrase, “Let’s cut our problems down to size.” In this episode, I want to get into some of the details of the division technique. I’ll explain some of the deeper complexities of it that you won’t find by just “cutting a problem down to size.” Afterward, you'll be able to use this technique more ..read more

How many times have you found yourself fumbling for the best way to describe something? Perhaps you’ve felt that no matter how clearly you’ve explained your subject, your description just doesn’t match the emotions you felt when witnessing it.  I’m here to tell you that creative writing doesn’t have to be your expertise in order to write compelling descriptions.  Today’s episode will walk you through a tip I discovered when writing my most recent book. As I was writing, I found it challenging to find interesting, unique ways to describe the subject matter I was writing about.  S ..read more

Have you ever wondered if certain creativity techniques are better to use in certain situations? If so, this episode is for you. As you know by now, creativity is a skill that anyone can learn. It is a structured process and involves using structured techniques. These techniques are patterns that mankind has used for thousands of years to create new solutions without consciously realizing it. They are embedded into the products and services we use and see around us every day. In this episode, I’ll share some general guidelines on how to use each of these five techniques. I’ll teach you some ti ..read more

Let me ask you: which is more important, curiosity or creativity? Well, the truth is, that’s a trick question. As I’ve spent years studying the world of creativity, I’ve learned over and over again that curiosity is really a precursor to the creative act. The two go hand in hand. Throughout today’s show, I’m going to explain why this is. I’ll share why I’m learning to appreciate curiosity more than ever before and how it’s connected to creativity so intricately. Then, I’ll give you some ideas on what you can do about this. In this episode you’ll hear: Curiosity can be trained just like creati ..read more

What can doctors teach us about creativity? People in the medical field actually have a lot of knowledge and experience around innovation. Why? Because they deal with uncertainty daily.  Doctors often take risks and make decisions all in the face of uncertainty. To simply get their jobs done, they’ve got to get creative. In fact, uncertainty forces you to be creative. Today, I want to share some of my experiences from the medical device industry with you. I’ll explain some things I witnessed doctors, nurses, and the like doing that demonstrated great creative ability.  In this episod ..read more

Imagine taking an exam that tests you on your creative skills. Then imagine your final grade in a graduate course rides on how well you do on that exam. That’s what my students at the University of Cincinnati have to go through every semester. I teach a course called “Innovation Tools” and teach my students a variety of methods for becoming more creative thinkers. I also teach them the same SIT method that I teach here on the podcast. Tune in to put yourself in my student’s shoes, take on their pressure, and hear all about the final exam they must take. In this episode you’ll hear: The surpri ..read more

Are you as creative in the virtual world as you are in person? This is an important question to be asking right now. The virtual world is taking over. More and more companies are going remote. You may even be working fully remote! We need to know if our creative output can remain the same online. An article recently came out that says it can’t. It asserts that your innovation abilities and creative skills decrease when you’re virtual. Today, I want to discuss this article and its applications. What does it means for you as you lead your creative lifestyle online and offline? Let’s dig in!  ..read more

We know that creativity is, simply put, the sudden collision of two previously unrelated things. However, have you ever stopped to think about what would happen if you combined two related things?  It just so happens that that is a fun little tool called fusion. Fusion is used by marketers, designers, artists, and all other kinds of creative people around the world. When you combine two related things, it turns out that something remarkable can result.  Today, let’s talk all about fusion and how it’s useful. In this episode you’ll hear: Where you can find fusion in the world. How fu ..read more

As a professor, I’ve worked with people of various backgrounds and majors and given them career coaching. I’ve taught them what to think about as they leave college and enter their career.  Today, I want to do the same for all of you listeners. Whether you’re graduating college, new to the workforce, or changing careers, creativity is your best friend. So, in this episode, I’m giving you three pieces of advice on how to think about creativity and innovation when at this particular transition in life. Tune in to get started! In this episode you’ll hear: Why creativity is so important. How ..read more