"How" Is The Most Creative Question
Hello again, friends!
I am really jazzed about this topic today because it is a technique that you can implement into your life NOW to spark creativity in new ways. And it is easy - by just adding one word to your thoughts: "How?"
From my experience, “How” is DEFINITELY the most creative question, and I LOVE asking it!
When contemplating a topic, we typically begin with the who, what, where, when, and why questions. While these are great starting points, they aren't the best questions to spark creative possibility because most of these answers rely on fact. The solutions are derived from what is already present and known in life. For example, as a lover of food, I use a lot of cooking analogies. When a chef is cooking, there a few constants - Who? - The chef and his team. What? A recipe. Where? In the kitchen. When? Before a meal. Why? Because people are hungry!
When the question of "how" comes up, it presents the most opportunities for creative execution. How will I make this meal? Well, more questions are immediately triggered, such as - Which ingredients to use? In what order? For which course?
"How" is the magic word for creativity. This one-word question sparks so many new opportunities for thought, strategy, execution, and more.
You might be thinking that "Why" could also be another creative aspect, and you are entirely correct. "Why" is an excellent method for reflection on our thoughts and our creative interpretations. But I believe that "How" takes those thoughts from asking "Why" and gives you a foundational opportunity for developing steps to proceed with your creative potential.
One of the main aspects of my research that I have learned is that "creativity" is associated with change, adaptation, and evolution. When you consider the "how" to achieve these goals, you will also be more prepared to take on the challenges that come with executing your processes.
Also, if you’re looking for a book that discusses the importance of asking questions in general check out “A More Beautiful Question” by Warren Berger. His research and perspective on the decline of questioning as we grow is enlightening, which also explores how this lack of questioning contributes to a decrease in creativity throughout our lives.
I urge you to throw a few how-to questions into your daily routines and tasks and see if there's a new or more exciting way to execute your goals! Let me know HOW you can change things up in the comments below. I would love to hear your new ideas.
It's time to create!
-Rose