TweetRecognizing patterns is a key component of creative thinking. Being able to compare situation A with situation B or process 10 with process 20 allows you to use metaphors, solve problems and generate great ideas.
If you understand how something that works well can be applied to different situations, you’re a step ahead of the game.
In order to recognize patterns, you need to observe things widely but carefully while letting your imagination run through your knowledge, much like how a computer scans through millions of fingerprints until it finds a match. Pattern recognition is a key enabler for innovation, after all and innovation brings great new things to life.
Here’s an interesting primer article about pattern recognition from a few months ago. You really should take a look at it if, in true thoughtwrestling style, you want to improve your thinking and your ability to take action.
Here are a few key points from that article:
- We need the ability to predict the future based on prior knowledge and behavior patterns. In many cases, it’s very accurate – we know that almost everyone will stop at a stop sign.
- Also key is the ability to make sense of what we experience.
- Being aware of how your mind works helps, although much of this information processing happens at the subconscious or unconscious level.
Please read the pattern recognition article. It’s a little heavy, but it’s good stuff. It’s part of a larger, valuable series on 21st century skills.
Are you able to see the patterns hiding in front of your eyes? Better yet, have you seen a pattern out there that other people haven’t? Why not share your insights in the comments section?
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I’m good at pattern recognition when it’s to do with people or things I care about and pay attention to. Sometimes I’ll notice a lot of little seemingly unrelated things and then just when I’m not actively thinking about any of it my mind will suddenly put it all together. I enjoy the fact that I’m good at pattern recognition and predicting “what’s next in this series,” but of course once in a while it leads to needless concern and things turn out to have been random or unrelated after all.
Christie recently posted..Two heads actually ARE better than one- if both are competent and communicate!
That’s a good point – sometimes we do invent patterns based on what we want to see.
But sometimes I’ve seen a pattern and been very unhappy with what I realized – and it was true. My teenaged sons have not enjoyed my “intuition.”
Christie recently posted..Two heads actually ARE better than one- if both are competent and communicate!
Hard to keep teenaged sons happy in any event.
Hey, Mark!
It’s seeing a pattern in a group of people and their lacking in exposure to a healthy alternative I’ve personally experienced and believe in that drives my calling.
Annie
That’s good to know, Annie!