Hello smart human,
In a creative rut? You’re not alone.
Sometimes you need to kick your brain into action by forcing it to think differently. The best way to do this is to try one of the creative techniques below. Or if you’re feeling crazy, all of them.
Here’s to unblocking that creative brain of yours.
1. David Bowie’s ‘Cut-up’ Technique
During his career, David Bowie released 25 studio albums, nine live albums and over 100 singles.
More impressive than the volume was his consistency, something most artists struggle to maintain.
His secret?
Bowie would cut random words and phrases from newspapers or notes, shuffle them, and rearrange them into new combinations. This ‘cut up’ technique sparked fresh ideas for his music.
The technique wasn’t new; it originated with the Dadaists of the 1920s and was later popularised by writer William Burroughs, who may have inspired Bowie. Its power lies in forcing the mind down unfamiliar paths, away from creative stagnation.
Next time you feel stuck, try it. It might unlock your next big idea.
2. Playing With Constraints
Originality often hides at the extremes. One powerful way to reach it is to put deliberately absurd constraints on yourself. E.g.
What if you only had £10 to solve the problem?
What if you only had 10 minutes?
What if you could use only one material?
What if the solution had to fit in your pocket?
These provocations sound ridiculous, but that’s the point. They drag your thinking away from the obvious and force you to explore uncharted territory.
3. The ’20 Idea’ Method
Earl Nightingale, the radio host behind The Strangest Secret, believed deeply in the power of ideas: “Everything starts with an idea.”
The challenge, of course, is generating them.
His solution was the 20 Idea Method.
First, framing a clear, specific question like “How can I double my sales in six months?” is better than “How can I increase sales?”
Then, write down 20 answers. The first few will be obvious, the latter ones more original. Often, the final idea is the breakthrough.
With practice, you can apply this technique to any creative problem. It’s simple, but surprisingly powerful.
4. The ‘S.C.A.M.P.E.R.’ Technique
The brain works through associations. Some links are strong (like cat and dog) while others are less so. That’s why new ideas can be challenging to generate.
One way to break these habits is with the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. technique, created by educator Bob Eberle. It’s a simple set of prompts to stretch your thinking:
Substitute – Replace one element with another.
Combine – Merge ideas (like phones with cameras).
Adapt – Borrow from something that already exists.
Modify – Change or exaggerate a feature.
Put to other use – Apply it in a new context.
Eliminate – Strip it back or simplify.
Reverse – Flip it, do the opposite.
A quick exercise with these prompts can push your brain into unexpected territory, which is where the best ideas often lie.
5. Role-Storming
Instead of brainstorming as yourself, try stepping into someone else’s shoes.
What would Steve Jobs suggest? Something bold, and beautifully simple?
What would a comedian do? Turn the idea into something unexpected?
And what would a competitor propose? Something that undermines your current approach?
This role-play technique frees you from your own thinking habits. By shifting perspective, you’ll discover fresh angles and sometimes the breakthrough you were looking for.
6. Six Thinking Hats
Dr. Edward de Bono, often called one of the world’s greatest creative minds, taught people how to think. His best-known tool is the Six Thinking Hats, a role-play exercise where each “hat” represents a different perspective:
White = Facts
Red = Emotions
Yellow = Benefits
Green = Ideas
Blue = Planning
Black = Judgement
By cycling through the hats, you explore a problem from six angles. For example, imagine deciding whether to launch a new product:
The White Hat looks at market data.
The Red Hat voices excitement or unease.
The Yellow Hat highlights the upside.
The Black Hat warns of risks.
The Green Hat generates alternatives.
The Blue Hat pulls it all together into a plan.
The result is a richer set of options and often, a novel idea that wouldn’t appear if you stayed in just one mindset.
7. Opposite Thinking
Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to flip it on its head.
Instead of asking, “How do I attract customers?” try, “How could I drive them away?”
You might list things like: long wait times, confusing pricing, and rude staff. Then, flip those answers into solutions: speedy service, transparent pricing, and friendly staff.
It works because it’s often easier to spot what would go wrong than to invent the perfect answer from scratch.
A great example comes from the airline industry. When Southwest Airlines asked, “What would drive passengers away?” the answers included expensive tickets, strict rules, and dull flights.
Flipping those gave them their winning formula of low fares, no-fuss policies, and a fun crew culture. It made them one of the most profitable airlines in history.
Big love,
Chris & the 42courses team x
