In golf, we talk about handicaps. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer. A golfer with a handicap of 12 tends to play better than one with a handicap of 20.
It means that for a golf course that normally takes a professional 72 strokes (击球) over 18 holes to play, a 12-handicap golfer would complete his full game with a score of 84 strokes.
When it comes to creative thinking, is there such a handicap system? Can we describe a person as a 12-handicap in his creative thinking ability?
Fortunately or unfortunately, there is no such system yet for creative thinking. But we all suffer from a handicap when it comes to creative thinking. Some of us are better players at such an activity, with ideas flowing freely. Some of us are average or green hands at such thinking, failing often and feeling very frustrated.
But don’t fear. Creative thinkers can be like golfers striving to reduce their handicaps. It takes learning and practice, and re-learning and re-practice until you become better at it.
How do you learn to be a creative thinker? Just like the game of golf, you need to have an interest. Is your interest purely social, business or personal? Do you have a desire to improve?
Most golfers challenge themselves to reduce their handicaps for personal satisfaction and enjoyment, so do you have this burning desire to be a better creative thinker?
Next comes the learning process. Some golfers are self-taught. They learn from watching golf tournaments live or on TV. They watch videotapes of golf professionals. They read golf books.
To self-teach yourself in creative thinking, you can buy books on the subject or borrow books from community and university libraries. Some creative books list a bibliography (书目) of other useful reference books on the same subject. If you are resourceful, you can visit as many schools, colleges, universities, or community libraries as possible.
You need to think about what you read. Study the different creative thinking processes and methods, and experiment with them on your own or among friends. Practice makes you remember better. Practice also makes perfect, as the saying goes.
Many golfers take up lessons from teaching professionals rather than learning from friends who might not teach correctly. If you can, sign up for creative-thinking lessons offered by famous companies.
Don’t just attend the creative-thinking courses. Be a committed student, always following up on what you have learned and exploring more. Although I train teams in creativity and innovation, I am still reading widely on the subject, reflecting on my company’s methods, improving on the teaching of methods, and experimenting with and adapting to new techniques.
The greatest handicap is yourself, your own mind. If you have been brought up to believe that you are not creative and you keep telling yourself or people that you are not creative, then you are not helping yourself. A golfer who has a negative self-image is also ruining himself and his game.
Cancel the negative self-image from your mind. Each time the negative thought flashes in your mind, replace it with a positive self-image, such as "I have the capacity to be very creative. I can be a creative thinker." Then affirm (肯定) this new image daily, several times a day. It might help if you write down such affirmative statements and paste them in places to remind you several times each day.
Focus on this creative image of yourself daily. Twice a day if possible, even if it is only 10 minutes each time. Focus and imagine yourself being creative in your studies, work, meetings, at home, and in different situations.
Then train yourself to succeed as you have imagined. It means actually thinking and experimenting with different creative techniques on practical cases. It also means reading to enrich your mind daily, even if it is but half an hour a day.
Keep on learning, practicing, reviewing, re-learning and re-practicing, and I am confident that you can bring down your creative thinking handicap.
55. Creative thinking is different from golf in that ______.
A. creative thinkers suffer from no handicap
B. there is no handicap system for creative thinking
C. creative thinkers have to deal with more obstacles
D. creative thinking has nothing to do with personal satisfaction
56. The underlined word "handicap" (Para. 4) can best be replaced by ______.
A. uncertainty B. disadvantage C. inconvenience D. discomfort
57. According to the passage, ______ is the greatest barrier for creative thinking.
A. lack of self-confidence
B. lack of the interest in exploring more
C. not attending the creative thinking course
D. having no interest in reading books on creativity
58. To cancel the negative self-image from your mind, you have to ______.
A. borrow books every day
B. attend courses on creativity
C. assure yourself that you are creative
D. experiment with different techniques on practical cases
59. What kind of writing technique is employed by the author to make his point clear?
A. Comparison. B. Definition. C. Description. D. Explanation.
60. The article is written to ______.
A. provide information B. share a story
C. express feelings D. encourage people