Thinkie Tutorial

Last day for 30% off, celebrating 100K subscribers

Well, 102K now. But who’s counting? I’m just glad to have started this unexpected conversation around the what, how, why, & most critically when of software design. It’s the conversations between practitioners that has most surprised & delighted me. Also the time & energy my paying subscribers liberate for my writing.

As you may have noticed, software design is only part of the swirl of ideas running around my head. My abstract art has been described as, “What the inside of your head looks like. I don’t disagree.

Another of my projects is Thinkies, habits of creative thought. I’ve collected almost 100 of these habits & paying subscribers receive one every Tuesday (until I run out some time next year). If you want to read the 60-odd Thinkies already published & discussed by the community & receive a new one every week, sign up here for a 30% discount.

(You’ll also receive draft chapters of Tidy Together as they fly off my fingers, ready for your immediate implementation & for your feedback.)

Quick Start Guide to Thinkies

What's a Thinkie?

A Thinkie is a habit of creative thought. A Thinkie generates ideas. Match the pattern. Apply the transformation. Now you have an idea, ready to be evaluated.

• Pattern: A situation you recognize

• Transformation: An action you take when you see that pattern to generate an idea

Key Principles

1. Generate first, evaluate later

2. Most ideas will be pruned (that's okay!)

3. Practice makes pattern recognition automatic

Quick Start Steps

1. Pick an easy Thinkie to start:

   • Can't/Because → When/Can

   • Easy Bit (smallest helpful action)

   • Fun Bit (most enjoyable piece)

2. Practice pattern spotting:

   • Listen for your chosen pattern

   • Don't judge yet

   • Just notice occurrences

3. Apply the transformation:

   • When pattern matches, transform

   • Don't evaluate yet

   • Generate the new idea fully

4. Only then evaluate:

   • Is the idea useful?

   • What parts might work?

   • What did you learn?

Example: Can't/Because

Pattern: "We can't X because Y" Transform: "When (not Y), then we can X"

"We can't release daily because too many bugs" → "When we have fewer bugs, we can release daily"

Practice Exercise

1. Pick one Thinkie

2. Set a 30-minute timer

3. Notice pattern matches

4. Apply transformation

5. Write down results

6. Review after timer ends

Remember

• Don't pre-judge

• Practice one at a time

• Keep notes

• Share with colleagues

• Build the habit

Now try your first Thinkie!