Horizontal thinking versus vertical thinking
I find myself to be big picture orientated. That means I'm not big on specifics. Perhaps that is why I am so easily mesmerised by those who pour great energy into clarifying their visions, adding detail and layers of understanding.
J.K. Rowling had worked out the main sequence of events that Harry Potter would go through before she started writing her first books. She had invented her world, developed detailed histories of her characters, stuff that would never enter her books but would enable her to write with the authority of knowledge.
The 'super successful' people that I've met in life seem to have a much easier time of drawing the distinction between what is real and what is not. Is that because they have got very clear, specific ideas about what they want from life? Do they have enough detail to draw the distinction between real and unreal?
And are people who have fuzzy unclear goals and purposes more susceptible to the stronger, powerful, detail-rich intentions of the successful?
I blogged recently about creative generalists and how they skim the surface of ideas looking for patterns and connections.
Creative generalists don't go deep into detail.
Now I'm wondering whether this horizontal style of thinking leads to a similar horizontal kind of imagination?
Horizontal thinking is shallow, surface thinking that links ideas and makes new connections.
Vertical thinking focuses on a specific area, and goes deep. It is purpose driven.
Horizontal imagination is unfocused and random, like daydreaming or fantasy. It is uncontrolled and lacks detail. Specifics are overlooked in favour of the gestalt.
Vertical imagination is focused and detail driven. It is creativity with a specific purpose in mind.
Horizontal imagination is thin and tenuous -- you'd better write your ideas down quick or they'll be lost forever.
Vertical thinking is deep and rich with texture and details. It's hard to forget with all that detail.
Horizontal thinking is easier to puncture and knock off course than vertical thinking. Horizontal thinkers are more easily overwhelmed, distracted and hypnotized by a strong vertical thinker's vision. But vertical thinkers are often hypnotized too by the depth of their obsession and focus.
J.K. Rowling had worked out the main sequence of events that Harry Potter would go through before she started writing her first books. She had invented her world, developed detailed histories of her characters, stuff that would never enter her books but would enable her to write with the authority of knowledge.
The 'super successful' people that I've met in life seem to have a much easier time of drawing the distinction between what is real and what is not. Is that because they have got very clear, specific ideas about what they want from life? Do they have enough detail to draw the distinction between real and unreal?
And are people who have fuzzy unclear goals and purposes more susceptible to the stronger, powerful, detail-rich intentions of the successful?
I blogged recently about creative generalists and how they skim the surface of ideas looking for patterns and connections.
Creative generalists don't go deep into detail.
Now I'm wondering whether this horizontal style of thinking leads to a similar horizontal kind of imagination?
Horizontal thinking is shallow, surface thinking that links ideas and makes new connections.
Vertical thinking focuses on a specific area, and goes deep. It is purpose driven.
Horizontal imagination is unfocused and random, like daydreaming or fantasy. It is uncontrolled and lacks detail. Specifics are overlooked in favour of the gestalt.
Vertical imagination is focused and detail driven. It is creativity with a specific purpose in mind.
Horizontal imagination is thin and tenuous -- you'd better write your ideas down quick or they'll be lost forever.
Vertical thinking is deep and rich with texture and details. It's hard to forget with all that detail.
Horizontal thinking is easier to puncture and knock off course than vertical thinking. Horizontal thinkers are more easily overwhelmed, distracted and hypnotized by a strong vertical thinker's vision. But vertical thinkers are often hypnotized too by the depth of their obsession and focus.
Labels: horizontal thinking, vertical thinking
