According to cognitive
psychologist Robert J. Sternberg, creativity can be broadly defined as “...the
process of producing something that is both original and worthwhile.”
Creativity is all about finding new ways of solving problems and approaching
situations. This isn’t a skill restricted to artists, musicians or writers; it
is a useful skill for people from all walks of life. If you’ve ever wanted to
boost your creativity, these tips can help.
1. Commit Yourself to Developing
Your Creativity
The first step is to fully devote
yourself to developing your creative abilities. Do not put off your efforts.
Set goals, enlist the help of others and put time aside each day to develop
your skills.
2. Become an Expert
One of the best ways to develop
creativity is to become an expert in that area. By having a rich understanding
of the topic, you will be better able to think of novel or innovative solutions
to problems.
3. Reward Your Curiosity
One common roadblock to
developing creativity is the sense that curiosity is an indulgence. Rather than
reprimanding yourself, reward yourself when you are curious about something.
Give yourself the opportunity to explore new topics.
4. Realize that Creativity is
Sometimes Its Own Reward
While rewarding yourself is
important, it is also important to develop intrinsic motivation. Sometimes, the
true reward of creativity is the process itself, not the product.
5. Be Willing to Take Risks
When it comes to building your
creative skills, you need to be willing to take risks in order to advance your
abilities. While your efforts may not lead to success every time, you will
still be boosting your creative talents and building skills that will serve you
well in the future.
6. Build Your Confidence
Insecurity in your abilities can
suppress creativity, which is why it is important to build confidence. Make
note of the progress you have made, commend your efforts and always be on the
lookout for ways to reward your creativity.
7. Make Time for Creativity
You won’t be able to develop your
creative talents if you don’t make time for them. Schedule some time each week
to concentrate on some type of creative project.
8. Overcome Negative Attitudes
that Block Creativity
According to a 2006 study
published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, positive
moods can increase your ability to think creatively. According to Dr. Adam
Anderson, senior author of the study, “If you are doing something that requires
you be creative or be in a think tank, you want to be in a place with good
mood.” Focus on eliminating negative thoughts or self-criticisms that may
impair your ability to develop strong creative skills.
9. Fight Your Fear of Failure
The fear that you might make a
mistake or fail in your efforts can paralyze your progress. Whenever you find
yourself harboring such feelings, remind yourself that mistakes are simply part
of the process. While you may occasionally stumble on your path to creativity,
you will eventually reach your goals.
10. Brainstorm to Inspire New
Ideas
Brainstorming is a common
technique in both academic and professional settings, but it can also be a
powerful tool for developing your creativity. Start by suspending your judgment
and self-criticism, then start writing down related ideas and possible
solutions. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible in a relatively
short span of time. Next, focus on clarifying and refining your ideas in order
to arrive at the best possible choice.
11. Realize That Most Problems
Have Multiple Solutions
The next time to approach a
problem, try looking for a variety of solutions. Instead of simply going with
the first idea you have, take the time to think of other possible ways to
approach the situation. This simple activity is a great way to build both your
problem-solving and creative thinking skills.
12. Keep a Creativity Journal
Start keeping a journal to follow
your creative process and track the ideas you produce. A journal is a great way
to reflect back on what you have accomplished and look for other possible
solutions. This journal can be used to save ideas that can later serve as
future inspiration.
13. Create a Mind Map
A mind map is a great way to
connect ideas and look for innovative answers to questions. Create a mind map
by writing down a central topic or word. Next, link related terms or ideas
around the central word. While similar to brainstorming, this technique allows
for branching ideas and offers a very visual way of seeing how these ideas are
linked.
14. Challenge Yourself
Once you have developed some
basic creative skills, it is important to continually challenge yourself in
order to further advance your abilities. Look for more difficult approaches,
try out new things and avoid always using the same solutions you have used in
the past.
15. Try the “Six Hats” Technique
The “six hats” technique involves
looking at a problem from six differing perspectives. By doing this, you can
produce more ideas than you might have had you only looked at the situation
from one or two points of view.
Red Hat: Look at the situation
emotionally. What do your feelings tell you? White Hat: Look at the situation
objectively. What are the facts? Yellow Hat: Use a positive
perspective. Which elements of the solution will work? Black Hat: Use a negative
perspective. Which elements of the solution won’t work? Green Hat: Think creatively. What
are some alternative ideas? Blue Hat: Think broadly. What is
the best overall solution?
16. Look for Sources of
Inspiration
Never expect creativity to just
happen. Look for new sources of inspiration that will give you fresh ideas and
motivate you to generate unique answers to questions. Read a book, visit a
museum, listen to your favorite music or engage in a lively debate with a
friend. Utilize whatever strategy or technique works best for you.
17. Create Opportunities for
Creativity
In addition to looking for
inspiration, you also need to create your own opportunities for creativity.
This might involve tackling a new project or finding new tools to use in your
current projects.
18. Consider Alternative
Scenarios
When approaching a problem,
utilize “what if...” questions to consider each possible scenario. If you take
a specific approach, what will the outcome be? By looking at these alternatives
beforehand, you’ll be better able to develop creative solutions to problems.
19. Create a Flow Chart
When you are developing a new
project, start by creating a flow chart to track the presentation of the
project from start to finish. Look for various paths or sequences of events
that might occur. A flow chart can help you visualize the final product,
eliminate potential problems and create unique solutions.
20. Try the Snowball Technique
Have you ever noticed how one
great idea often leads directly to another? You can take advantage of this by
utilizing a “snowball technique” when you are generating ideas for your
project. If the idea isn’t appropriate for your current work, set it aside to
work on later or implement it in a future project. |
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