David Ellis, author of
Becoming a Master Student, stirs creative and critical thinking through a process he calls "Invention and Intention." It is an ongoing message to educators to be creative in the process of learning, teaching and life in general. The theme of "Invention and Intention" is about creating. It’s about discovering and thinking of new possibilities. Intention is about making commitments. It’s essentially learning intertwined with a series of commitments. It’s an effective way of changing your behavior. That’s the purpose of student success courses. To provide tools and strategies that help people alter (sometimes radically change) who they are or how they do things.
David Ellis challenges workshop participants to put themselves in a mode of inventing, and to create an ongoing list of inventions and intentions. Keep inventing then commit. The cycle looks like this:
Your inventions lead to new ideas. Make a commitment to act on your inventions. . .to do something! Make an intention to change. . to become a more effective student and learner.
The concept of inventing can also be applied as a problem-solving tool. The solutions to so many of our challenges and barriers are within us. The trick is to set them free. Becoming a Master Student is full of ideas to help you become a better student--and a better person. But sometimes the best ideas are your own. Are you having a problem? Invent a solution. Take a moment to sit quietly and invent a way to solve your problem. Then write an intention statement to make it happen. Inventing is a critical thinking tool which, if applied consistently, can help you create the life you want to see.
The process of invention and intention is embodied in the
Discovery and Intention Journaling System outlined in
Becoming a Master Student.
The process of inventing also implies listening and thinking through a filter of questions. . .asking oneself continuously, "How can I use this?" "What do I Want?" "How can I do this differently?" What follows from this way of thinking and looking at life is a whole series of actions one can take to put those inventions into practice. That’s the intention, the commitments we make to take a specific action.
Dave also invites participants to "steal" inventions from others. The saying " there’s nothing new under the sun" applies here. All inventions don’t even have to be original. You can steal (or borrow if you prefer that term) some of your intentions from others. You simply make that YOUR invention as well and commit to using it!
For example, my problem might be that I am overtired and can't stay awake in class. My "invented" solution might be to go to bed an hour earlier every night. But wait, you say, that's not an "invention," that's obvious! True, but I am inventing it as a solution to my problem. A change in my life. If you are having the same problem, you may invent a completely different solution.
Ready to do your own Invention/Intention exercise? What’s your challenge? What’s your solution? Send us your Invention/Intention exercises. We’ll periodically post your contributions here.
