The Way We Think Shapes Our Lives
The way we think influences our success, our quality of life, our sense of happiness — in
short, every aspect of our lives. In today’s world, most people focus more on results than on
the process itself. Yet in our effort to find the right answer, we often lose our ability to think
differently and creatively — our mental flexibility.
This article explores the differences between vertical thinking and lateral thinking, and
how the balance between these two forms can open the door to greater insight and creativity.
Vertical Thinking: Linear, Controlled, Safe
Vertical thinking follows a step-by-step logic, where each idea builds upon the one before it.
It’s excellent for solving problems, defending arguments, or making plans — but relying
solely on it can make the mind rigid.
That’s because vertical thinking often sticks to what is known; it doesn’t easily consider new
routes or possibilities. Vertical thinking is about finding the right answer; lateral thinking is
about discovering what answers might exist.
For example:
When you argue with a friend and ask, “What exactly did I say that was misunderstood?”,
you’re thinking vertically — looking for a direct cause-and-effect link.
But when you wonder, “Maybe it wasn’t what I said, but how I said it?”, you shift direction
— and begin thinking laterally.
Lateral Thinking: Flexible, Intuitive, Rule-Breaking
Edward de Bono, who first coined the term lateral thinking, put it simply:
“When you cannot move forward directly, change direction.”
Lateral thinking and cognitive flexibility involve the ability to see different paths and
generate alternative, creative solutions to problems.
It’s not about ignoring logic — it’s about stretching it. When we ask, “What else could this
mean?” instead of “Why is this like that?”, we enter the realm of lateral thinking.
This way of thinking allows us to look at situations from multiple perspectives and to reason
from the part to the whole — building ideas that didn’t exist before.
The Side Effect Of Modern Life: Think Fast, Decide Faster
We’ve all grown used to thinking fast and deciding even faster. It seems efficient — but this
speed can actually prevent the mind from exploring different directions. While chasing the
right answer, we might be blocking the emergence of new possibilities.
Next time you find yourself stuck on a question, pause and notice:
Maybe you’re not thinking wrongly — maybe you’re just thinking in one direction.
Sometimes stepping away from the problem — even doing something entirely different —
helps. The mind becomes more creative when it relaxes.
Lateral Thinking In Everyday Life
At Work
When a presentation goes wrong, we usually think, “Where did I make a mistake?”
But asking, “Can I turn this mistake into an advantage?” shifts us from defense to
opportunity — from vertical to lateral thinking.
In Relationships
When in conflict, asking “How can I prove I’m right?” is vertical thinking.
Asking “Why does my partner feel so strongly about this?” is lateral thinking.
The first seeks to win; the second seeks to understand.
In Your Relationship With Yourself
Thinking “Why do I always end up in the same pattern?” keeps you tied to the past.
Asking “What is this pattern trying to show me?” opens the door to awareness — and
change.
Psychological Significance
Lateral thinking not only strengthens creativity but also enhances emotional flexibility.
When the mind learns to look from different angles, the same situation can take on new
meaning.
In therapy, many moments of insight emerge exactly from this shift — when thought changes
direction.
Change often begins not when we ask, “Why am I like this?” but when we ask,
“Could I be another way?”
We shouldn’t separate the two thinking styles; instead, we should learn to use both.
Vertical thinking builds structure; lateral thinking gives that structure room to breathe.
Mental flexibility is the ability to move freely between the two.
A Small Exercise
Next time you face a problem, try this:
-
Vertical thinking: What have I already tried to solve this?
-
Lateral thinking: What would I see if I looked at this from a completely different angle?
-
Mental flexibility: What happens if I combine both answers?
Example:
A presentation went poorly. Vertical thinking says, “I should have prepared better.”
Lateral thinking says, “Maybe I need a more engaging approach.”
Combined: “I should prepare differently — with a new method.”
Conclusion
The direction of your thoughts determines the direction of your life. The mind tends to pick a
path and follow it — but not every path leads where you truly want to go. Lateral thinking is
the voice that says, “Wait — there might be another way.”
Perhaps our most creative moments aren’t when we abandon logic, but when we dare to
change direction.
References
de Bono, E. (1971). The Use of Lateral Thinking. London: Jonathan Cape.
Aygün, E. (2022). “Bilişsel Esneklik ile Duygusal Zeka Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi.”
Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 9(1), 54–67.