There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.
Edward De BonoRead
The simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful source of creativity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focusing on overlooked aspects of life can enhance creativity.
This quote emphasizes that by paying attention to the ordinary and taken-for-granted details in our lives, we can unlock new ideas and original thoughts. It suggests that creativity often stems from a deep observation of everyday life, encouraging individuals to shift their perspective and appreciate the commonplace to foster innovative thinking.
Themes
CreativityObservationImaginationInnovationPerspective
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about innovation in business.
More from Edward De Bono
All quotes βDealing with complexity is an inefficient and unnecessary waste of time, attention and mental energy. There is never any justification for things being complex when they could be simple.
Edward De BonoRead
As competition intensifies, the need for creative thinking increases. It is no longer enough to do the same thing better . . . no longer enough to be efficient and solve problems.
Edward De BonoRead
Most of the mistakes in thinking are inadequacies of perception rather than mistakes of logic.
Edward De BonoRead
(...) being right all the time acquires a huge importance in education, and there is this terror of being wrong. The ego is so tied to being right that later on in life you are reluctant to accept that you are ever wrong, because you are defending not the idea but your self-esteem. (...) this terror of being wrong means that people have enormous difficulties in changing ideas.
Edward De BonoRead
Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it.
Edward De BonoRead
Similar quotes
You need courage to be creative. You need the courage to see things differently, courage to go against the crowd, courage to take a different approach, courage to stand alone, if you have to, courage to choose activity over inactivity.
Jim RohnRead
Creativity is generating ideas that are novel and useful. I define originals as people who go beyond dreaming up the ideas and take initiative to make their visions a reality.
Adam GrantRead
Share what you do profusely, because it will be remixed by others into something new, rich and strange.
Tim O'ReillyRead
You don't have to work for Google, or any of the other firms encouraging staff to pursue personal projects on company time, to use slowness to unlock your creativity. Anyone can do it. Start by clearing space in your schedule for rest, daydreaming and serendipity. Take breaks away from your desk, especially when you get stuck on a problem.
Carl HonoreRead
Nobody knows what will work until they try it. Some of comics' biggest success stories in recent years have explored subjects that no one was writing about at the time - stories no one had any reason to think would succeed. My advice? Write what you want to read. You'll have more fun doing it - and if all else fails, you'll always have at least one loyal reader.
Scott MccloudRead
When people say, Did you always want to be a writer?, I have to say no! I always WAS a writer.
Ursula K. Le GuinRead