What is the difference between critical thinking and creative thinking?

Physiologically, critical thinking happens on the left lobe of the brain and creative thinking on the right. Critical thinking involves linear logic, like math. It is a way of getting from point A to point B. There is only one right answer to each starting point. Creative thinking is not linear. It flies around, like a bird, and eventually lands on a solution. There is no one right answer but many solutions to the same problem. Creative thinking can not be rushed. In fact, while you sleep, your brain still thinks creatively and you can often wake up with a solution to a problem without ever really trying. Critical thinking, though, requires focus and deliberate effort, and does not work during sleep.

Although creative thinking can't be rushed, it can be prompted by various techniques or strategies. One is to use randomness to create a new way of viewing the problem.