“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs
In our knowledge-driven economy, creative thinkers excel. They have learned the art of managing their thought processes in a productive way.
Creative thinkers are the pioneers and problem solvers in their chosen fields. Creative thinkers are constantly expanding their mental horizon, which helps them come up with novel approaches, fresh ideas and new insights. This gives them the power to transform the world around them in creative and imaginative ways.
“As competition intensifies, the need for creative thinking increases. It is no longer enough to do the same thing better . . . no longer enough to be efficient and solve problems” — Edward de Bono
When we fall in to a routine, or the boredom of repetitive tasks, creative thinking goes out the window. Are you feeling stuck, or without creative ideas? Creative thinking is not a mere indicator of your intelligence. It also reflects the clarity of your thought processes.
Creativity boosts performance levels at the workplace by providing clarity and fresh ideas. Do you want to be more creative? Start by reading current thought on creativity and practice applying the principles of creative thinking.
Some of these creative thought processes are a simple as the ‘Reverse thinking’ method. For example, the late CEO of General Motors, pioneered installment purchasing when he reversed the assumption that people had to buy a car in full payment before they could drive it. What assumptions can you reverse?
7 Tips for Unblocking Your Creative Energy
1) Stop thinking: Creativity needs a trouble-free mind. Don’t critically analyze or judge your thoughts, your life, your work, your friends, or your seeming lack of creative thoughts. Let your mind wander around for a bit and give your body some time to replenish itself to get the creative juices flowing. Continuous thinking is not only futile but it also worsens the situation. Clearing your mind of unnecessary and de-energizing thoughts will help you create a work environment that is highly interactive, rich and brimming with creativity. Allow yourself to daydream. When you daydream, you’re stimulating the right side of your brain, which is in fact a hub of creativity.
“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” — Henry David Thoreau
2) Change your pattern of thinking: When entrepreneurs think differently, they create and expand businesses that scale new heights. This is the gateway to new business opportunities. Try breaking your habitual thinking patterns, and practice asking yourself this one simple question “What is the opposite of this thought?” When you think along these lines, you open up a treasure house of new ideas and possibilities.
“All great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning.”
— Albert Camus
3) Switch to other kinds of tasks: Sometimes, even the most disciplined and experienced person feels they have hit a road block when they stick to the same kind of work all the time. Break free from this zone of boredom and do your routine work in a different way.
“We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
— Walt Disney
4) Exercise your brain: Learn something new. It could be either gardening or a musical instrument or a new photo editing software. Turn off those mind-numbing television shows and use the time to talk with your family and friends. You never really know where a creative thought or idea might be lurking around. Or, read a good book or an inspiring article. It not only relaxes you but also gives your mind a much-needed creative impetus.
“Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has had an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference.”
— Nolan Bushnell
5) Be open and receptive: If you were to look at the sea with your eyes wide open, enjoying the beauty of the waves, the sky, the pebbles on the beach and the people around you is easy. However, if you block just one eye with a pebble, your vision gets distorted and obviously nothing looks or feels the same. Are you open to other people’s ideas? Or, do you quickly dismiss them as you do your own? Creative thinking begins with becoming open to every idea. You never know where that idea might lead.
“Listen to anyone with an original idea, no matter how absurd it may sound at first. If you put fences around people, you get sheep. Give people the room they need.” — William McKnight, 3M President
6) Maintain a journal: Writing down your ideas crystallizes them into executable actions. Writing them down ensures that they are not lost and forgotten in the day-to-day busyness of your workday. You may also find yourself having more creative thoughts as you become aware of them and capture them on paper. Keep an “idea” notepad or journal close by. You can even organize your creative ideas by areas of your life (work, home, family, relationship, hobbies, health, financial, etc.)
“Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.”
— John Steinbeck
“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”
— Edward de Bono
7) Rejuvenate yourself: Do something you haven’t done in a long time. Listen to your favorite piece of music, take your dog for a walk, clean the house or just jog or go for a swim. Take a vacation; get away from the same official monotony of work and home. Painting or learning and musical instrument are creative activities that not only nurture the mind and soul, but also soothe the mind and calm our inner thoughts. If you have the passion to learn a new language or are into adventure sports, even these will help you in your endeavor to regain your lost creative form.
Give your mind some time to replenish itself to get the creative juices flowing. When you daydream, you’re stimulating the right side of your brain, which is in fact a hub of creativity.
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” — Vincent van Gogh
An emphasis on creativity in all aspects of our life can help us experience a more productive and fulfilling time at the workplace and in life. It can transform your mind into a powerhouse of ideas. It might also reward you with better career opportunities, or simply the emotional peace that is in the end even more important than professional success or productivity.
“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” — Albert Einstein