Ep 91: How to become a more creative thinker with Don Wettrick

Looking for ways to think more creatively? Guest Don Wettrick shares his insight on how we can think more creatively about your business or brand.

Don Don Wettrick is the founder and CEO of The STARTedUP Foundation, which hosts Innovate WithIN- Indiana's innovation and entrepreneurship programming and competition. He is also the author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation,” which aims to create innovation mindsets in our schools. Don is known for his award-winning work as a teacher, educational and innovation consultant, and educational speaker.

Wettrick has also hosted a podcast for the past five years, where he has interviewed some of the top entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders in the country.  In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife of 27 years, Alicia, and his three children. 

MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• When researching it’s such a time for creativity and innovation. How do you engage yourself in new ideas and thought processes?
• Problems are opportunities for solutions- Don Wettrick. Complaining and talking about issues garner conversations and brainstorming. Conversations with people and solving challenges that people present can present opportunities to learn. 
•  If you don’t like something or know how to do something, know more people who do and have conversations with them about it. 
• Many people don’t make space in their day to learn, be inspired, or brainstorm. 
• Taking in information and uploading it is a mental process. It’s detrimental to our brains to overindulge in social media and pornographic content (still a taboo subject). People get stuck on the endless scroll. It’s damaging our brains and natural thinking process. 
•  The hardest things to do in the world are the things you say you are going to do.  
• If you want to set a goal, don’t tell anybody. You’ve told your brain you’re 90% there.”
• Fear sometimes keeps us from accomplishing the things we want to accomplish. We fear not reaching our goals.