Stages of Creativity

There are four classical stages of creativity.  The first is preparation, which requires research and information gathering.  The second is incubation, which synthesizes the information into meaningful wholes.  The third is illumination, which results in insight and resolution.  The fourth is verification, which insures the correctness of the result.  These stages can be illustrated by observing a student preparing for an exam.  First, she thoroughly reviews her notes.  Second, she sets aside free time to allow for incubation.  Third, she takes the exam and experiences illumination.  Fourth, she returns to her room to check her notes to assure herself that she has answered correctly.  Too often, a student goes from preparation to illumination within taking time for incubation, and illumination does not occur.  She has failed to allow time for the subconscious to synthesize her preparation.  Most problem solving follows these same steps, and most often the stumbling block is to neglect the importance of incubation.