Every new thought or idea has to be connected to what we already know. Unfortunately, it is easy to limit the possibilities of a new idea by connecting it to only one area of our previous knowledge. Great thinkers are aware of this and try to combine new and old ideas in as many different ways as possible. They also try to make connections that may seem strange at first. By comparing and connecting ideas and objects in new ways, creative thinkers are able to think of new applications and solutions. Many of the things that we use every day were invented by someone who saw similarities between his or her ideas and objects or systems in the world.
