Chapter 1: The Power of Sideways Thinking

Have you ever considered employing unconventional thinking in your creative marketing efforts? A compelling method to capture someone's attention is by offering assistance.

One effective approach is to commit to writing a blog post every day about subjects that spark your interest. Whether it's just a brief sentence or an extensive article, developing the habit of writing and sharing your insights can be beneficial.

For instance, I reside five miles away from my youngest daughter, and between our homes, there are fifteen traffic lights. Whenever I drive to pick her up for our weekend visits, I often find myself halted by those signals.

Imagine the frustration of being stuck at 30 traffic lights, each with timers ranging from two to three minutes. A simple five-mile trip can take me up to 25 minutes. It seems unreasonable, doesn’t it? Surely, traffic engineers could devise a more efficient system for managing traffic flow, especially on such a significant route.

The challenge lies in the fact that this road intersects with eight other major routes running North and South. So, when I'm driving in a North/South direction, I naturally want those lights to favor my journey as well.

It's not uncommon for drivers to seek the easiest route while on the road. Human nature tends to favor personal convenience, often at the cost of others.

So, what’s my solution besides wishing to be the only vehicle on the road during my journey? I listen to podcasts—specifically, "Four Wheel University." During my drive, I tune into a podcast or an audiobook that lasts around twenty-five minutes, aiming to learn something new.

On the return trip, I engage my daughter with questions, allowing her to share her week, thoughts, and future plans. While I still resent the traffic signals, I recognize that idling in traffic harms the environment, wears down vehicles, and raises stress levels for all involved.

Apart from enhancing my knowledge and nurturing relationships, I can't think of a viable solution to this traffic dilemma. What do you propose?

• Mass transit? That would stretch a 25-minute drive to an hour and ten.
• A train? That could cost billions.
• Riding a bike? There's no bike lane for my daughter, and distracted drivers are a serious threat.
• Walking? It’s a feasible option, but it takes about two hours, and my daughter would need to walk back with me.

What solutions do you have in mind?

Chapter 2: Embracing Design Thinking

Design thinking is an invaluable approach for creatives looking to enhance their problem-solving skills and innovation.

This second video delves into how design thinking can empower creatives to tackle challenges and foster innovative solutions.