Let's talk briefly about the basics of how our minds work and how that process affects creative thinking. Basically your mind is a "pattern recognition system." It's very efficient at this process and we couldn't function the way we do as human beings if our minds didn't have it. If we had to analyze every detailed piece of information before we took any action, we would have a hard time tying our shoes.

Language is an excellent example of this pattern recognition system and the creativity of the brain. You have to create patterns for words and sentences when you first learn to talk and read. Later on, you can easily recognize the patterns of letters that make up words and the words that make up sentences.

Sometimes our mind is too efficient and it misses some of the details. Have you ever been reading a newspaper and suddenly the last sentence doesn't make any sense? You go back and read it several times and you finally get it.

What causes this?

You were probably scanning the words in the sentence and missed one or more of the words. This led you to the wrong meaning of the sentence. Only after you slowed down did you get the "right" answer.

It's fairly easy to see how this same pattern recognition function of the brain could make you come to the wrong conclusion under many other circumstances. When we read, we quickly try to put the words and sentences into recognizable patterns. We do the same with all kinds of data and information presented to us. We do this so quickly that we often overlook key data and make wrong conclusions.

One of my favorite hobbies is flying hot air balloons. Discovery, not pattern recognition, plays a big part for people that are seeing – or riding in – a hot air balloon for the first time.
Here's what happens. When we start the layout and inflation of the balloon, people who have never seen the operation have no idea what to do. It's new to them and they have no pre-established patterns or mind set. They do whatever I ask and don't question it.

See the difference? People have a very pattern oriented mind set when it comes to day-to-day activities like brushing their teeth or driving a car, but not when they first experience something brand new like a hot air balloon ride.

Let's dig a little deeper into pattern recognition. It's important to realize that your mind creates, stores, and recognizes patterns. All three of these factors have a key impact on the creative thinking process. The fact that our mind can create a pattern, when perhaps none really exists, is profound. Let me say that again. The mind can and does create its own patterns that it then stores and later recognizes when presented with data. Raw data is received into the brain and is then quickly digested into a recognized pattern.

Our experiences and previous perceptions have a profound effect on how the data is digested. Think about the "machine" example again. This digested data will form different patterns for different people. To be successful using creative thinking, it is key for you to understand this concept – that the same raw data looks different for different people.

When solving a problem, we digest information and then put a plan together. After we have a plan, we execute it and measure the results. The plan and the action taken will be different from one person to the next since the digested data is manipulated based on experience.

There are countless examples of engineers and scientists who have run tests and created a pattern (in their own minds) about what the data was telling them. They store that pattern in their mind and it gets reinforced and strengthened each time they see data that fits the pattern. They recognize the pattern faster and faster and jump to the conclusion just as fast.

What happens when the data doesn't fit the pattern? Do they create new patterns? Not normally. Usually they discard the data, set it aside, or ignore it because it doesn't seem to fit the established pattern. "Must be a problem with the test method or instrumentation." Ever heard that one?

Can the answer be manipulated? You bet. The sequence of information is critical to the formation of the pattern. If I give you ten data points, you will start creating a pattern in your mind based on the initial data you see. The first data is the strongest and will be quickly reinforced in your mind. You will likely give more "weight" to this initial data when you draw conclusions and establish patterns.

Now consider this. If the same ten data points were given to you in a different sequence, you would likely draw a different conclusion even though the data itself is the same. There have been numerous experiments conducted that show this effect. You just need to be aware of this phenomenon and its effects on the creative thinking process. Can two people review the same data in a different order and draw different conclusions? Absolutely.

Why should you care about how the mind functions and establishes patterns?

Because it affects and can stifle your creative thinking process. But we couldn't function the way we do without this amazing pattern recognition capability. It offers great advantages; it is efficient, allows fast recognition, fast reaction, and recognition with only partial information.

The problem is that those patterns become rigidly established over time and are difficult to change once they are established. And we have the tendency to categorize with only a resemblance to the previous pattern. We all know this is true and we get more rigid and stubborn over time. Your awareness of this will help open your mind to creative thinking and new ideas.

But old habits are hard to break even with the best of intentions so you'll have to consciously work to interrupt your patterns. When problem solving, stop and ask yourself if you are jumping to a conclusion too quickly. Think about whether you are trying to make it fit a mindset or pattern that's familiar to you. Consider whether it should fit the old pattern or suggest something new.

Understanding the pattern recognition system is critical in helping you open your mind to creativity. For all of its truly phenomenal capabilities, it can be an Achilles heel when it comes to creativity. The "SIG" creative thinking tools help you break up these patterns and allow new, innovative, and creative ideas to flourish.