I do not consider myself a creative person, but this passage gives me hope as it says that creativity can be developed and honed through intentional thinking techniques. The concept of lateral thinking as a deliberate and purposeful process resonates with me.
Personally, I find that my default mode of thinking tends to be vertical, relying on logical reasoning and established patterns. While this mode has its merits in certain contexts, it can limit my ability to explore unconventional solutions and perspectives. The passage encourages me to be more mindful of when to switch to lateral thinking, recognizing situations that call for a more exploratory and imaginative approach.
This passage is a reminder to break free from the autopilot mode of thinking and to approach problems and challenges with intentionality. By setting the intention to engage in lateral thinking when needed, I can actively seek out alternative viewpoints, challenge assumptions, and restructure my patterns of thought.
Overall this passage shed light on the importance of “thinking about thinking” in which I would reflect on the way I structure my thoughts. Self-awareness is also a key factor as it is what makes a person able to even recognize what mode of thinking he is in so that he can adjust accordingly.