The simple mental combo that separates average creators from masters
Your two creative minds
When it comes to creating, are you an Observer or a Thinker?
Iβve found that most creators tend to fall into one of two camps. The first is the Observer. This is the person who pays close attention to the world around them. They notice the little details and patterns that most people miss and extract simple, powerful lessons from what they see.
The second is the Thinker. This person takes observations and combines them with their experience to derive new conclusions. They connect the dots in novel ways to explain how things work.
For a long time, Iβve realized Iβm more of an Observer myself. My best ideas come from watching the world.
But the magic happens when you cultivate both sides. Think of it like Sherlock Holmes. He was a master Observer, noticing the one tiny scuff mark on a shoe that everyone else missed. But he was also a master Thinker, using deduction to instantly know that scuff mark meant the man was a left-handed shoemaker from Sussex.
Itβs a funny example, but the principle is powerful.
If you can do both. If you can see the world clearly and derive powerful conclusions from what you see. You will become unstoppable. You create a loop where sharp observations fuel deep thinking, and deep thinking sharpens your eye for what to observe.
This journey of blending observation with thought is a core theme of my work. If youβre on a similar path, you might enjoy my weekly newsletter. You can subscribe here.
β€ If you liked this post, share it with a friend.
β€ If this was forwarded to you,Β subscribe hereΒ to get your own.
I read about the Observer and then the Thinker, thinking "I'm both". And then you said it. I love to be present in this way and outpour what gets created in this process. It's endless.