The Mathematics and A-B-Zs of Creativity

How math and a simple framework will become your secret weapon for creativity.

A dice rolling across a creative workspace

Let me take you back to your favorite place: english and math class.

We’ll start with learning your A-B-Zs, a simple yet useful framework to navigate uncertainty. You know where you are right now (A), you know where you want to go (Z), and, instead of planning every single step, you focus only on the next move (B). Everything else? C through Y? That’s a complete unknown.

As I first heard about this, I was instantly brought back to my college math class on stochastic processes.

Stick with me. I know you’re starting to bubble with excitement.

Now, you might be wondering: What in the world are stochastic processes? And most importantly, what could they possibly have to do with creativity?

By the end of this article, you’ll see how stochastic processes and A-B-Zs will become your secret weapon for creativity.

What are stochastic processes?

Let’s break it down.

A stochastic process is a fancy word for a system that changes over time with an element of randomness. Think flipping a coin or rolling a dice. You don’t know exactly what will happen next, but you know there’s a pattern to how things might play out over time.

We see stochastic processes all the time. The weather? Stochastic. The stock market? Definitely stochastic. Even the traffic flow on your way to work has stochastic elements.

Creativity is often about navigating the unknown.

When you sit down to write a story or paint a mural, you’re staring at a blank canvas. Stochastic processes give us a way to embrace that uncertainty and turn it into something useful.

The Connection to A-B-Z

This is where knowing the A-B-Z framework comes back in.

In both A-B-Z and stochastic processes, the focus isn’t on planning every single step. It’s about knowing your current state (A), having a vision for where you want to go (Z), and then taking the next logical—or random—step forward (B).

In letting of the need to control every step, you create space for creativity.

How Stochastic Processes Can Inspire Creativity

Here are a few practical stochastic lesson you can use to boost your creativity.

1. Generating Ideas with Random Walks: Next time you’re stuck on a big idea, instead of sitting there paralyzed, try introducing some randomness. A technique called a “random walk” involves letting chance guide your thinking. Flip to a random page of a book on your desk, and use the first sentence you see as inspiration. Or write down unrelated words or phrases and see if you can connect them in new ways (that’s how this article came to be). By introducing randomness, you disrupt your usual thought patterns and open yourself to unexpected connections.

2. Overcoming Perfectionism with Markov Chains: Markov chains are a type of stochastic process where the next step depends only on your current state—an unexpectedly powerful tool to address perfectionism. If you’re trying to outline a novel, instead of planning the whole thing, focus only on what happens next. Ask yourself: What would this character logically do next, based on where they are right now? You don’t need to know where the story will end, just the next step. This approach will keep you moving forward when you feel stuck.

3. Collaborating with Randomized Brainstorming: When working with a group, some randomness can help level the playing field and surface unexpected ideas. Try “roulette brainstorming” where everyone writes down an idea, and then you randomly pick one to discuss. The randomness keeps things fresh while giving every voice a chance. The most out-there ideas can lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

Why Does Math Work for Creativity

So why does this approach work?

1. It breaks creative blocks: randomness forces you out of our usual patterns. When you introduce chance, you’re no longer stuck trying to “think our way” to the perfect idea.

2. It encourages exploration: By focusing on the next step instead of the whole journey, you’re free to experiment and take risks.

3. It builds resilience: Creativity often involves failure. By embracing uncertainty, you learn to adapt and keep going, even when things don’t go as planned.

Of course, randomness doesn’t solve all problems.

Sometimes it can lead to results that feel incoherent or chaotic. That’s why it’s important to balance randomness with control. Use stochastic tools to spark ideas, but don’t forget to step back and refine your work.

Embrace the Unknown

Creativity thrives in uncertainty, and stochastic processes give you a way to navigate it. By focusing on the next step (B) instead of worrying about every detail from A to Z, you open yourself to something new.

Your next great idea might be just one random step away.