This page brings together my most important insights on creativity. You'll learn how creativity works, how to uncover your hidden creative potential, and how to make creative thinking a consistent habit to produce meaningful work. I've focused on the core concepts you need to get started—even if you're short on time.
At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a full list of all my creativity-related articles.

Understanding Creativity

Let’s start by defining creativity.

At its core, creativity is about forming new connections between existing ideas or identifying unexpected relationships between concepts. It’s not about inventing something entirely from scratch, but rather reimagining what already exists in fresh and original ways.
Although creativity can be challenging, most great ideas emerge through a similar process. In 1940, advertising executive James Webb Young outlined this in his short guide, A Technique for Producing Ideas.
Young proposed that creative thinking unfolds through five key steps.

The Creative Process

Gather new material.  Begin by learning. Focus on two types of input: first, absorb specific knowledge directly related to your challenge; second, explore a broad range of unrelated topics that spark your curiosity and expand your thinking.
Digest the information.  Take time to mentally work through everything you've learned. Analyze the details from different angles and play with combining ideas in new and unexpected ways.
Step away.  Put the problem aside completely. Engage in something unrelated that excites or relaxes you—this break is essential for your subconscious to do its work.
Let the idea surface.  After some time away, the solution will often emerge suddenly—an “aha” moment when the pieces click together with surprising clarity.
Refine with feedback.  To bring your idea to life, you need to share it. Invite feedback, respond to criticism, and keep shaping it until it’s truly effective.
Read more: For a More Creative Brain, Follow These 5 Steps