Rahasia Teknik Berpikir Kreatif | Thinkertoys

Summary

In this video, Michael from Si Kutu Buku channel explores 'Thinkertoys' by Michael Michalko, highlighting creative thinking techniques. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief in creativity, overcoming fear, uncertainty, and doubt, and leveraging both hemispheres of the brain for original ideas. Michalko's strategies, like 'idea sparks' and engaging with diverse perspectives, encourage viewers to think differently and foster innovation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Thinking positively can unlock new levels of creativity.
• 📚 'Thinkertoys' by Michael Michalko is a book that explores creative thinking techniques.
• 🎓 Michalko's expertise stems from his leadership in NATO intelligence and his work with international academics.
• 💡 Creativity often comes from a belief in one's own abilities and the power of the subconscious mind.
• 🚀 Encouraging individuals to exaggerate their achievements can boost their creative confidence.
• 🌟 The difference between creative and non-creative people is largely a matter of self-belief.
• 🛡 Fear, uncertainty, and doubt are significant barriers to creativity that should be actively managed.
• 🔄 Changing perspectives and combining unrelated ideas can lead to innovative solutions.
• 🧠 Active thinking, which involves both hemispheres of the brain, is crucial for originality.
• 🗣️ Engaging with diverse individuals can break stereotypes and inspire fresh ideas.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the book 'Thinkertoys' by Michael Michalko?

The main theme of 'Thinkertoys' is creative thinking, with the book discussing various techniques that can help individuals think creatively and generate innovative ideas.

What is Michael Michalko's background in the field of creativity?

Michael Michalko is an expert in creative thinking who has served as the head of a team of NATO intelligence specialists and international academics, exploring creative thinking methods worldwide. He has also applied these techniques to solve complex problems in both military and corporate settings.

What is the first point Michael Michalko emphasizes in the book for fostering creativity?

The first point is the importance of self-belief in one's creative abilities. Artists are creative because they believe in their own creativity and trust that the answers to problems lie within their subconscious.

How did Michael Michalko encourage employees to think of themselves as creative?

Michael Michalko asked employees to write essays exaggerating their creative achievements and then make arguments to influence their co-workers, which helped them to internalize their creative potential.

What are the three factors that Michael Michalko identifies as hindrances to creativity?

The three factors that can interfere with a person's creativity are fear, uncertainties, and doubts, which can make it difficult for the mind to think creatively.

What advice does Michael Michalko give to overcome negative thoughts and foster creativity?

Michael Michalko advises changing negative thoughts into positive ones, remembering successes and good qualities, and visualizing oneself as a creative person to influence the brain to be more creative.

How does Michael Michalko suggest looking at problems to enhance creativity?

He suggests looking at problems from different perspectives and combining unrelated ideas to create new patterns of thought, which can lead to innovative solutions.

What is the technique of 'idea sparks' as mentioned in the book?

Idea sparks is a technique where one combines words from two lists - one related to the topic and the other with random words - to generate new and creative ideas.

How did Michael Michalko come up with the title 'Thinkertoys'?

He used the idea sparks technique, combining the words 'think' from a list related to creativity and 'toy' from a list of random words, which led to the title 'Thinkertoys'.

What is the significance of active thinking in the context of the book?

Active thinking is the ability to see the same information as others but to arrange it into new patterns, which requires optimal use of both the left and right brain for linear and intuitive thinking.

Why is it beneficial to talk to people from different fields according to the book?

Talking to people from different fields can free one from stereotypes and assumptions, and sometimes non-experts can provide fresh perspectives that lead to brilliant ideas.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Unleashing Creativity with Thinkertoys

Michael Michalko's book 'Thinkertoys' is introduced as a guide to foster creative thinking. The author, Michael, shares his expertise developed during his time as a NATO intelligence specialist and later in corporate problem-solving. The video emphasizes the importance of self-belief in creativity, suggesting that artists are creative because they believe in their own potential. Michalko's approach includes exercises to boost self-confidence and creativity, such as exaggerating personal achievements to influence co-workers. He also highlights the detrimental effects of fear, uncertainty, and doubt on creativity, advocating for a shift to positive thinking. The video concludes with advice on cultivating success through remembering achievements and visualizing oneself as creative.

05:02

🔄 Thinking Outside the Box with Diverse Perspectives

The second paragraph delves into the concept of thinking from different angles to enhance creativity. Michalko illustrates this with his 'idea sparks' technique, where he combines unrelated words to generate new ideas, as demonstrated with the book's title 'Thinkertoys'. The video references historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Richard Feynman, who used multiple perspectives to deepen their understanding of problems. The importance of active thinking, engaging both the left and right brain, is discussed, along with the benefits of interacting with diverse individuals to break free from stereotypes. The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to embrace creativity by changing their viewpoints and engaging in conversations outside their expertise.

Keywords

💡creativity

Creativity refers to the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; it is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, and patterns to create meaningful new ideas, forms, and interpretations. In the video, creativity is the central theme, with the book 'Thinkertoys' by Michael Michalko focusing on techniques to foster it. The video discusses how positive thinking and self-belief can enhance one's creative potential, as illustrated by the exercise where employees are asked to write essays exaggerating their creative achievements.

💡Thinkertoys

Thinkertoys is the title of the book discussed in the video, which is a collection of creative thinking techniques and tools. The term itself is a combination of 'think' and 'toys,' suggesting that the book provides playful and imaginative tools to stimulate creative thinking. The video explains how the author, Michael Michalko, used a technique of combining unrelated words to come up with the book's title, demonstrating the use of creativity in naming.

💡positive thinking

Positive thinking is the practice of focusing on positive aspects and outcomes rather than negative ones. It is highlighted in the video as a key factor in enhancing creativity. The video suggests that believing in one's creative potential and maintaining a positive self-image can unlock creative abilities, as exemplified by the idea that artists are creative because they believe in their own creativity.

💡subconscious

The subconscious is the part of the mind that is not in the forefront of awareness but can influence thoughts and behavior. In the video, it is mentioned that artists believe all the answers to problems lie in their subconscious, implying that tapping into this part of the mind can lead to creative insights and solutions.

💡fear, uncertainties, and doubts (FUD)

Fear, uncertainties, and doubts are负面情绪 that can hinder creativity. The video emphasizes that these negative thoughts can distort reality and impede creative thinking. The author advises recognizing and transforming these thoughts into positive ones to foster a creative mindset, as negative thoughts are particularly detrimental to creative thinkers.

💡active thinking

Active thinking is the ability to see information in new ways and to arrange it into novel patterns. It is mentioned in the video as a method to be original and creative. This involves using both the left and right hemispheres of the brain optimally, with the left brain processing words and symbols and the right brain thinking visually and intuitively.

💡saper vedere

Saper vedere is an Italian term meaning 'knowing how to see,' used by Leonardo da Vinci to describe his strategy of looking at problems from multiple perspectives. The video references this concept to illustrate the importance of viewing problems from different angles to gain deeper understanding and spark creativity.

💡idea sparks

Idea sparks are a creative technique mentioned in the video where unrelated words are combined to generate new ideas. This technique was used by the author to come up with the title 'Thinkertoys' by combining words from two lists, one related to creativity and the other with random words, leading to the innovative title.

💡intuition

Intuition is the ability to understand or know something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. In the context of the video, intuitive thinking is associated with the right brain and is crucial for creating new information through imagination, which is a key aspect of creative thinking.

💡stereotypes and assumptions

Stereotypes and assumptions are preconceived notions or beliefs that can limit one's thinking. The video suggests that talking to diverse groups of people can help break free from these limitations and lead to innovative ideas, as non-experts may not have the same pre-existing boundaries as experts.

Highlights

New creativity can emerge if you think positively.

Introduction to Michael Michalko's book 'Thinkertoys'.

Supporting the channel through subscription and notifications.

The book explores techniques to enhance creative thinking.

Great ideas often seem obvious but are challenging to originate.

Michael Michalko's expertise in creative thinking.

Michael's experience leading NATO intelligence specialists in creative thinking.

Transition from government to corporate world applying creative techniques.

Three key points summarized from the book on creativity.

The importance of self-belief in one's creative potential.

Exercise of writing essays on personal creativity and success.

The impact of feeling rich, successful, and creative on one's mindset.

Fear, uncertainties, and doubts as inhibitors of creativity.

The need to replace negative thoughts with positive ones to foster creativity.

The habit of remembering successes and qualities for continuous achievement.

Using affirmations and visualization to enhance creativity.

The concept of thinking outside the box by changing perspectives.

Idea sparks technique by combining unrelated words for innovation.

Leonardo da Vinci's strategy of 'saper vedere' for understanding problems.

Richard Feynman's approach to problem-solving from different angles.

The role of active thinking in creativity and brain utilization.

The importance of engaging with diverse individuals for creative insights.

The final call to action for subscribing and engaging with the channel.

Transcripts

New creativity can emerge if you think positively.

Hello all! My name is Michael. Welcome to my channel: Si Kutu Buku!

This time I will discuss the book Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko.

Before we start, for those of you who want to support this channel to continue creating,

it's really easy, you just click subscribe and turn on the bell.

Your support is really helpful so that we can post regularly

and learn together on this channel.

This book discusses how we think creatively.

Come to think of it, every great idea might sound so obvious.

But, can you be the one who proposed the idea?

In his book, Michael lists dozens of techniques that can help you think creatively.

For information, Michael is an expert in creative matters.

While serving as a member of the United States military force,

he was the head of a team of NATO intelligence specialists

and international academics whose goal was

to explore creative thinking methods around the world.

His team then applied the idea to various NATO military activities, political and economic issues.

Then, after leaving the government,

Michael helped the company to apply creative thinking technique

to solve complex problems experienced by the company.

I summarize it into three important points from this book:

First, Why is someone creative?

An artist is creative

because they believe that they are creative people.

They have the idea that all the answers to problems

are in their subconscious.

This positive character ultimately makes the artist a very creative person.

Michael once asked every employee in a company to write an essay on

why each of them had the potential to be the most creative person in the organization.

Michael asked them to exaggerate the achievements they have achieved,

he even asked them to make up about their success in terms of creative thinking.

Next, Michael asks them to make arguments about the success they have written

and they must influence their co-workers if their arguments are true.

Interestingly, the more often they practice this exercise,

the majority of employees feel that they are creative people

and think like creative people.

When we feel rich, successful, and creative,

then your mind will be different if you feel poor and unsuccessful.

The difference between creative and non-creative people is just a matter of trust.

For example, a researcher visits a tribe in a remote village.

The tribe has the belief that their life will be finished if they cross the river.

This then distorts their own reality from the real reality.

Michael emphasized that there are three things that can interfere with a person's creativity,

namely fear, uncertainties, and doubts.

These three things will make it difficult for your mind to be creative.

These negative thoughts are very dangerous for a creative thinker.

Therefore, we must be aware when there are fears,

uncertainties and doubts that arise.

Then, we will change those thoughts into more positive thoughts.

This exercise is useful for controlling negative thoughts

and changing them to positive thoughts so that creativity can grow.

Michael also advises us to have a habit of remembering our successes,

our best qualities, and forgetting about failures.

Success will produce success.

Small successes will lead to greater success.

This is a good habit.

If you have to get used to remembering your good qualities and your successes,

then you will produce success in the future.

You can also write affirmations that you believe

and visualize yourself as a creative person.

This exercise serves to influence your brain to be creative.

Second, looking from a different side

You will not be able to think outside the box if you only think in one direction continuously.

When your attention is only focused on one problem,

then only a few patterns will dominate your thinking.

This pattern in the end just gives you an idea that's predictable,

no matter how hard you think.

Interestingly, if you try to change your focus

and combine it with something completely unrelated,

then a new pattern will emerge.

One of the techniques used by Michael is idea sparks,

which is combining irregular words randomly.

Michael gave an example of how he came up with the name of his book, thinkertoy.

So at first he split it into two lists of 20 words.

List A contains words related to innovation or creativity

such as art, brainstorm, create, think, imagine, and so on.

On list B, he then wrote down the words that randomly came to mind.

Words that appear like, football, baby, toys, doormat, and so on.

Now, then, he combines words from list A with words from list B randomly.

Finally, there was a combination of think and toy.

From there, he sharpened his ideas until the title of his book became thinkertoys.

This way of thinking is the mindset of the geniuses of the world.

Leonardo da Vinci believed that to understand a problem better

we need to look at it from multiple directions.

Leonardo felt that the initial point of view of a problem was so

biased that he needed to try different perspectives.

Every perspective that Leonardo tried,

his understanding of a problem would deepen,

until finally he was able to understand what the root of the problem was.

Leonardo calls this strategy of thinking as saper vedere

or which means knowing where to look.

Not only Leonardo da Vinci,

Richard Feynman who is a Nobel laureate physicist also has his own way.

Whenever he was caught in a problem,

he always saw it from the other side.

If the solution doesn't work,

then he will move to another way.

So, whatever problems arise,

Richard always finds a way to look at it.

This is a very important exercise.

When we are able to change the way we think about something,

then that thing will change accordingly.

Third, how does creativity work?

There are ways you can try to be original.

According to Michael, the method is active thinking,

which is the ability to see the same information as other people,

but you can arrange it into a new pattern.

You can only have the ability for active thinking

if you can use both parts of your brain optimally.

For information, the left brain processes words and symbols

while the right brain thinks in terms of visuals.

The left hemisphere of the brain is used more by writers, mathematicians, and scientists.

Meanwhile, the right brain is mostly used by artists,

craftsmen and musicians.

Linear thinking is for the left brain

and intuitive thinking is for the right hemisphere.

Linear thinking helps us organize existing information so that it is structured.

Meanwhile, intuitive thinking will create new information through imagination and intuition.

Another exercise for creative thinking is talking to many different types of people.

This activity is to free us from stereotypes and assumptions.

Interestingly, sometimes brilliant ideas come from non-expert people ,

because that person doesn't have the boundaries that are already in the head of an expert.

So, take the opportunity at any time to talk with other people,

especially outside of your field of work.

Who knows, these conversations will inspire you

and be able to come up with brilliant ideas.

Being creative starts from changing the way you view things.

When you act like a creative person, then you will be a creative person.

Please comment in the comments column, what lessons did you get when reading this book.

Besides that, also comment on what book you want me to review in the next video.

I'll take my leave, don't forget to subscribe to Si Kutu Buku Youtube channel.

Bye bye!