Are you an unconventional thinker? Why does unconventional thinking often go unrecognized? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The book Wired to Create <\/em>by\u00a0Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire explains that unconventional thinking is a characteristic of creativity. However, thinking this way can pose challenges because people are averse to nonconformity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a look at the challenges and importance of unconventional thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n One characteristic that the authors say creative people share is unconventional thinking. Creatives tend to think beyond standard rules and expectations that traditionally limit people<\/strong>. They break barriers and set new trends by refusing to conform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The disruption that creative people cause often paves the way for massive change\u2014for example, an inventor often needs to challenge what we know about science to create new commodities that make our lives easier or more efficient. However, the authors note that because creative work breaks norms and traditions, it often goes unrecognized initially. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because people typically praise conformity and resist things that are different. It\u2019s our evolutionary drive to be risk averse\u2014risks present danger, and newness is a risk. As a result, people need time to get used to a new concept before they can consider its merit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, most people rejected the idea of automobiles when they were first invented\u2014using a machine rather than a horse to get around seemed dangerous and scary. However, it\u2019s hard to imagine how our current society would function without automobiles. Similarly, people may resist a new form of art if it goes against what\u2019s traditionally considered \u201cbeautiful.\u201d However, concepts of beauty change over time\u2014the more we\u2019re exposed to something, the more we\u2019ll begin to accept and even prefer it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUnconventional Thinking<\/strong>\u2014Challenges & Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n