My Thinking Style

My Thinking Style

My Thinking Style

Thinking in Systems, Connections, and New Possibilities

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Imagine solving a puzzle by first seeing how all the pieces fit together to form the bigger picture. That’s systems thinking—understanding how everything is connected and focusing on the whole rather than isolated parts.

Take a city’s transportation network as an example. Systems thinking doesn’t just address traffic lights; it considers how roads, public transit, pedestrians, and even environmental impacts interact. It’s about improving the entire system, not just individual components.

This approach naturally works alongside associative thinking, which links ideas that might not seem related at first. It’s the ability to say, “This transportation issue reminds me of how blood flows in the body.” Suddenly, concepts from biology influence urban planning. Associative thinking pulls in insights from unexpected places to make sense of challenges.

Then there’s divergent thinking, which keeps the process open and fresh. While systems thinking provides structure and associative thinking connects ideas, divergent thinking explores new and unconventional paths. It asks, “What if there are ten solutions—or a hundred?” By questioning the usual approaches, divergent thinking introduces possibilities like skyways, tunnels, or drones—not all practical, but each opening the door to fresh perspectives.

How It All Works Together

These modes of thinking naturally complement one another:

Systems Thinking provides the map of how everything fits together.

Associative Thinking creates unexpected connections.

Divergent Thinking generates new possibilities outside conventional thinking.

For example, when approaching a city’s transportation redesign, systems thinking maps the interplay of traffic, public transit, and pedestrians. Associative thinking brings in ideas from unrelated fields, like the efficiency of neural networks. Divergent thinking then expands the horizon with bold solutions such as autonomous vehicles or multi-level pathways. Together, these approaches transform simple problem-solving into reimagining the system entirely.

Strategic, Intuitive, and Creative Layers

The process becomes even more dynamic with the addition of:

Strategic Thinking, which takes the big picture and turns it into a clear, actionable plan.

Intuition, which guides focus by recognizing patterns and insights quickly, even in the absence of complete data.

Creativity, which steps outside the framework entirely to introduce bold, transformative ideas.

The Flow of Thought

The thinking process moves naturally between these modes:

  1. Start with Systems Thinking: Map out the broader picture and interconnections.
  2. Add Associative Thinking: Bring in patterns or insights from unexpected areas.
  3. Incorporate Divergent Thinking: Explore multiple solutions and question conventional limits.
  4. Rely on Intuition: Focus instinctively on key areas of importance.
  5. Use Strategic Thinking: Turn possibilities into clear, prioritized actions.
  6. Infuse Creativity: Introduce originality to reimagine the entire system.

Final Thoughts

This is how my thinking works—combining systems, associative, and divergent thinking with strategy, intuition, and creativity. It’s not just about solving problems but about reframing them entirely, finding unexpected connections, and imagining possibilities that lead to practical and innovative solutions.

This essay is a personal narrative intended for insightful contemplation. I kindly ask that it be respected as such and not utilized for external analyses without consent.