Combining Unrelated Things to Spark Creativity

One effective technique for fostering creativity is to combine two unrelated things into one. This approach can lead to unique and innovative outcomes.

Example: The Creation of Dilbert

A great example of this technique is the creation of the cartoon Dilbert. The creator, who was good but not the best at both cartooning and comedy, combined his talents in these two areas. By merging his skills in cartooning and comedy, he created something unique and became well-known and popular.

Simple Exercise: Word Combination

You don't have to start with something as complex as cartoons or comedy. You can begin with a simple exercise like combining words. For instance, consider the word "sarcastic." By combining it with the word "attacking," you get "sarcasting." You might use it in a sentence like, "Are you sarcasting me?" This new word means sarcastically making fun of or attacking someone.

Is "sarcasting" the greatest word in the world? No. But is it different? Yes. It's a small exercise, but it's a baby step towards becoming more creative.

Try It Yourself

Try combining a couple of words and see what you come up with. If nothing comes out of it, that's fine. The important thing is to start taking baby steps towards creativity.