Good day, Purposeful Hearts! If you’ve been enjoying this series on our creative thinking abilities, then you’re ready to step into the Evaluate brain set today! So far, we’ve been through the Connect, Reason, Envision, Absorb, and Transform brain sets from Carson’s CREATES model.
Unlike the Absorb brain set we discussed a few weeks ago, which delays judgment and lets ideas play around freely, the Evaluate brain set loves to judge whether a creative work is living up to our internal standards and pace of progress. It truly is a “judgy” brain set that loves to lend a critical eye to every aspect of our environments.
There are three predominant characteristics of the Evaluate brain set, beginning with active judgment. Every time you make a decision, choose a direction, pick a flavor of ice cream, or click on a link to follow, your brain gives you a reward for making that selection. We get used to making decisions quickly and receiving our rewards. In fact, over time, we develop clear patterns of thinking that serve as mental shortcuts and allow us to nearly predict the future based on these past patterns.
Second, the Evaluate brain set can pose a challenge because it decreases our flexibility. Naturally, when we’re making choices, options and ideas get left behind. If we’re overexcited about evaluating what’s in front of us, we might cut our own creative process short. With this warning in mind, leverage the Evaluate brain set at just the right time. When you’re ready, the decreased flexibility inherent in making a decision means you’re now fully able to commit to your idea. Go for it!
Finally, the Evaluate brain set is the zone of focused attention and impersonality. When we have our judging hats on, we zoom in on the details we need to critique and weigh the pros and cons of each one. We hold ourselves accountable for producing good work, and we stay on task. This phase of judgment can be difficult, since we’re often our own worst critics, which is why we should season this process with impersonality. Step back from your work and treat it kindly. Phrase your judgments as though you are talking to a friend!
At the right time during the creative process, the Evaluate brain set is a powerful tool with built-in measures of accountability. Use it wisely and trust that it’s guiding you toward a more well-thought-out product! Next week, we conclude this series by looking at the Stream brain set together. Blessings on your purposeful life until then!
Carson, S. (2012). Your Creative Brain: Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life. Jossey-Bass.
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