Shoes are Life 🏝️ 👟💡
You're stuck on a desert island with only one shoe. How can you use it to survive?
Today's prompt is designed to prime our brains for creativity by tapping into the power of divergent thinking. This type of thinking offers freedom and encourages generating multiple solutions, often through the use of brainstorming as a cognitive method.
What will I need?
Timer (can be on your phone)
Paper and pen, or a drawing tool if you prefer visualizing your ideas.
Steps:
Set a timer for 3 to 15 minutes – you choose how long.
Imagine you're on a desert island. All you have is one shoe.
Brainstorm different ways you could use the shoe to help you survive. Write or draw your ideas.
After the timer ends, click the “heart” button for this post to track your progress and let us know you did this one.
If you're up to it, share your most creative survival uses for the shoe with friends, in the substack chat, or on your social media platforms.
Tips, Guidance, Inspiration, and Science
Want to keep going?
Try it with a group! It's a great activity for family time or a fun challenge with friends.
Try it at different times of the day or in different moods. You'll be surprised at how your ideas change.
Challenge yourself to come up with specific types of uses, such as for food, shelter, or communication.
Help! I’m stuck!
First, remember: this exercise is about creativity and problem-solving, not about being realistic.
Think about the different parts of the shoe (laces, sole, insole, heel, etc.) and how each can be used.
Consider the different elements you might encounter on a desert island (sand, water, plants, etc.) and how the shoe can interact with them.
Remember, the shoe can also serve as a container, a tool, or even a warning signal.
Consider uses that aren't physical. Maybe the shoe is a reminder of home that keeps you mentally strong.
What’s the science?
Divergent thinking can predict material success: Runco, M. A., Millar, G., Acar, S., & Cramond, B. (2010). Torrance tests of creative thinking as predictors of personal and public achievement: A fifty-year follow-up. Creativity Research Journal, 22, 361-368.
Standing on the shoulders of giants
Thanks to Dr. Tim Patston, an educator, creativity expert and opera singer, for this prompt. You can learn more about Tim and his consulting here.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." - Albert Einstein