THE MAGIC OF CREATIVITY
- We are all creative. We all have boundless imagination. We always have. Unfortunately our educational
system has progressively stunted that aspect of our capabilities. No educational system in the world puts as much
emphasis on creativity as they do logic. Think about the number of maths and science classes you took versus the arts and humanities.
Not that logic is bad. In fact, it’s a critical element of who we are. It’s just over balanced compared to creativity.
- I believe the lack of creativity is slowly killing business. Without creative thinking how will the engineering
team discover the next breakthrough product? How will the marketing team break out and stand above a crowded market place? Creativity
isn’t solely the realm of designers and ad agencies.
- Creativity isn’t just associated with art. It does not equal wild and crazy. It doesn’t equal foolishness. When you hear
“out of the box thinking”; that’s the call to creativity. It is coming up with a new approach. It’s daring to think differently.
To succeed in business is to be creative in your role. Growth in business demands creativity. It is what will separate you from the competition.
Methods of Creativity – Asking the right questions
- Evolution - ‘how could I improve …………….. ?’
- Reapplication - ‘how could I do XXX differently?’
- Synthesis - ‘how could I take the benefits of XXX and combine them with the benefits of YYY’?
- Revolution - ‘what could I do instead of XXX to achieve the same goals?’
- Changing Direction - ‘if we could start over – how would we do things differently?’
Steps to Becoming More Creative
- Be curious - ask questions like ‘why’, ‘what if’ and ‘I wonder…’.
- See problems as interesting, acceptable and a natural and normal part of life.
- Confront a challenge by asking ‘how can I overcome this’?.
- Develop constructive discontent - Look at difficulties as an opportunity to improve things.
- Be optimistic - Believe that most (if not all) problems can be solved.
- Suspend Judgment – Or the idea will be killed if critique is applied too early.
- Persevere – Stick with your ideas and see them through – even when the going gets tough.
- Harness Flexible Imagination - Intuitively bring previously disconnected ideas together in flashes of brilliance.
Cultivating the Right Attitude
- Think of yourself as creative. We all have the spark of creativity inside us; it's just a matter of fanning that flame to keep it alive.
- Think creatively. If there are two solutions to a problem, try them both. Try out your new ideas, even if they seem a little outlandish at first.
- Put your new ideas into action. Don't worry what other people will think. Even if you don't succeed at first, you'll learn something and give your creativity a chance to flourish.
- Don't over-think things; Rather than thinking of all the reasons NOT to do something, think positively and take a risk.
- Be inspired! Pay a visit to a museum, take in a play, go out to a place you've never been. Inspiration sparks creativity.
- Make time for your creative outlets. Schedule some time every week for your creative pursuits. Let your creativity come out.
- Enjoy yourself. Make your creative endeavor a joy. This will ensure the continued flow of creative energies.
- Play creative games where success hinges on being expressive and coming up with creative ways to communicate.
- Try a new creative medium. If you write, try playing music. If you're a dancer, try painting. Shake things up to get some new ideas and perspectives.
- Take a break! Get outside for a bit to recharge your creative energies. Allow a blocked well of creativity to flow again.
- Be patient when nurturing your creativity. This shouldn't be a stressful activity. Enjoy these techniques every day and one day, soon, you just may discover that you're one of the most creative people out there!
