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PN: Error is a key to creativity


Failure is usually treated as something negative. In school, we are punished with low grades for making errors. However, to err is to be human. All humans make errors. Great minds make more errors than the average people (p. 137).

It's documented that overall productivity correlates with radical breakthroughs in science and technology. It means that the sheer quantity of ideas ultimately leads to quality.

One of the reasons for that is that errors force you to explore different possibilities. They put you outside your comfort zone, and only there something new can happen. Studies show that deliberately adding incorrect information into a group discussion results in a higher likelihood of creating new and great ideas.

The second reason is that errors make you rethink your assumptions and biases. You must take a step back and reconsider why you think the way you think.

Growth mindset is the most powerful mindset one can have because you look at every situation in life as something positive. No matter if you fail or succeed, there is always something your can learn, and in result grow.

That said, don't look at errors as something negative - they make you more creative. Take on a growth mindset; instead, look at each mistake as an opportunity to learn and develop.


Relevant notes:

Creativity.inc fail quickly. The worst thing is to make no mistakes because it means that you make no decisions.

So, making errors by failing quickly is another way to widen your options P: Widen your options to make better decisions It also helps to avoid confirmation bias making you rethink your assumptions R: Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath PP: How to avoid confirmation bias

Referenced in

PN: The growth mindset

PN: Error is a key to creativity: The number of errors is positively correlated with creativity.

P: Creating successful products is a numbers game

PN: Error is a key to creativity: To have good ideas you have to have many of them. So it's similar to that. Only by pushing out things, you will discover the things you don't know you don't know. Only in testing, you can figure out if an idea is good or bad.

P: Convert the ‘pain’ of seeing your mistakes and weaknesses into pleasure.

PN: Error is a key to creativity: The sheer quantity of ideas (good or bad) correlates with innovation. That means that mistakes are a natural part of the innovation process.

P: Never quit. Instead, iterate

P: Errors are fundamental to learning; PN: Error is a key to creativity: besides, failing is what makes us learn the quickest and aids creativity

P: Problems contain a gem that can help you grow

PN: Error is a key to creativity: You should treat errors as something positive because they lead to greater creativity and development.