Creative Thinking Every human being is endowed with the power to THINK. Just as we can all SEE, HEAR, TALK, etc., we all have the capability to THINK. However, we think differently – how we think, what we think about and what we do with our thinking are very important.

Qualities of Creative Thinking

Curiosity – the desire to know more about a thing Unconventional thinking – thinking out of the box Mental flexibility – willingness to change opinion Open mindedness – thoughtful and insightful Intensely goal focussed – ready to go the whole hog Clear foresight – ability to see ahead Make mistakes – accepting mistakes but learning from them Continuous improvement – willingness to get better Generating new ideas – never rest on your oars Create or add value – expanding possibilities Persevere - persist and wait for success

Creative Thinking

- Tendency to generate and recognise ideas, alternatives or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems or improving. It is the totality of the process from conception of ideas to product development.

- Creativity is often associated with certain human performance such as dance,

modelling, poetry, drama however, creativity is not limited to a particular activity but can be found in all facets of human lives.

- Creativity is a perceptive or attitude of innovation that is applied to any activity:

Education, Social Sciences, Sciences, Law, Arts, Agriculture etc. - Creativity is built on positive thinking / attitude. - Cultivate creative habits: modification of conventional thought patterns. - The use of imagination and conception of method, process and product that add value

to existing products / services or a new product.

As a man thinks…

Proverbs 23:7 tells us about the importance of thinking. Everything starts with our thoughts. Human thought is the foundation of every invention i.e. product and service – the phone, computer or the Facebook platform you use for communication. That product started as a thought when it was first conceived as an idea. Pay special attention to what you think about. The leaning of your perception: is it positive or negative. Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motors said “whether you think you can, or you can’t, you are right. The mental picture you create in your mind will go a long way to determine what you will get.

Human Thought Process We need to pay attention to some activities that affect, influence and improve our thinking. Aspiring Entrepreneurs must consciously select only useful and relevant materials and activities as well as develop habits that will help him to improve in his self-development.

What you SEE – we are strongly affected by what we see, so aspiring Entrepreneurs should engage in activities that can expose them to entrepreneurial engagements such as Exhibition, Trade Expo, Product launch

What you PERCEIVE – though we see physically with our eyes, the mind interprets and establish the point of view which ultimately influence the thought and final opinion reached by the individuals.

What you READ – textbooks, journals, online materials etc. will go a long way to affect your thinking. So pay special attention to the books you read. Pick up books on Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Aliko Dangote and naturally you will begin to think and behave like these highly successful Entrepreneurs

What you SAY – Your utterances especially when you meet challenges of life and business. Aspiring Entrepreneurs must be strong willed, persistent and never daring.

What you HEAR – In our day-to-day activities we hear both positive and negative or relevant and irrelevant information. We need to control what we hear. Attend seminars, conferences and discussions that are useful and helpful to your personal development.

The five basic human senses have strong influence of human thinking . The thought of product idea can come from what we see, what we hear, what we touch or feel, what we say and what we smell . All these ultimately have ways of shaping our thoughts and actions.

Do You Think?

If you think, then how do you think?

What do you think about?

What are the decision from thinking?

Improving your Thought Process

Entrepreneurial Thinking

Steve Job – Apple Bill Gates – Microsoft

Mark Zuckerberg - Facebook Aliko Dangote – Dangote Group

These individuals are great THINKERS

Who is next here: right here in this hall?