I've always considered myself creative, but a recent conversation with Bregje made me realize that my strength lies more in critical thinking than pure creativity.

The power of doubt

My ideas, whether for logos, services, strategies, or names, always stem from analysis. I see structures, underlying connections, and gaps. This makes me more of a critical thinker, a disciple of Pyrrho, the founder of Skepticism. This realization was profound.

Convergent & divergent thinking Applying this to Design Thinking, I now see it's 90% critical thinking - careful analysis rather than wild brainstorming. The creative part comes at the end, connecting seemingly unrelated elements. This is good news because it's easier to learn and share!

I've also been pondering the relationship between convergent and divergent thinking. Interestingly, I think it might work opposite to what's commonly assumed. Critical thinking can lead to divergent ideas by challenging norms, while creativity helps in convergence by connecting ideas.

Continuous switching What sets our processes apart is the ability to switch between critical and creative thinking simultaneously, rather than sequentially. Our approach involves asking the right questions, identifying the most profitable obstacles, and simplifying complex issues. It's about structure, making connections, tools, patterns, and principles.

I've translated this approach into a new prototype for guiding our participants, members, and users. It's designed for those feeling stuck or starting something new, addressing common problems like:

- Help, I need a business plan

- Help, I need to set up my office

- Help, I have an important meeting

- Help, what's our purpose

- Help, I need more customers

This journal entry has helped clarify my thoughts on our unique approach to problem-solving and client work. It's exciting to see how these insights can be applied to help others more effectively.

A first demo;: https://kloka57uzby.typeform.com/to/hV3aLsXW