Think productively, not reproductive

Leonardo da Vinci believed you begin by learning how to restructure the problem by looking at it from many different angles.

In order to creatively solve a problem, the thinker should not use the usual approach that is based on past experience. Geniuses use several differen...

If we want to do things that haven’t been done or learn things that have never been learned — in short, be more creative — we must learn to ask the right questions, ones so good that they’re half-answered in the asking. And to do that, it might help to understand the process.

We can learn from our own experience and find ways to improve. Repeat the following questions to yourself over time.

• What did I achieve today, and how can I better it?
• What should I continue doing, what should I stop, and what new activities should I add?