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Simple Suggestions to Sparking Creativity
- By AllContent Editor
- Published 11/28/2007
- Creativity
- Unrated
Simple Suggestions to Sparking Creativity
Sparking creativity can be a challenge, especially when you have the wrong perceptions about it. While creativity is often associated with extraordinary people, the truth is you do not have to be a genius to be creative. So stop telling yourself that you are simply not the creative type because anybody can be creative if they allow themselves to be. You also do not have to be in the field of arts or dealing with artsy matters to think creatively. You can be creative in doing simple things at home, school or work.
Once you have changed your views and attitude about creative thinking, then your ideas can start to flow freely. Naturally, this will only happen when you begin thinking or brainstorming. Focus on the task or goal that you need to be creative about – a presentation, a marketing strategy, an event, and etcetera. Whatever it is, focus on it by asking yourself a specific question. For example, “How can I increase awareness about our new product line?” or “How can I make my daughter’s birthday more fun?”
When you have a particular question in mind, then your brain can start working around it to get an answer. The ideas may not come right away or you may not be satisfied immediately with the ones that you come up with first but these are all part of the creative process. You need to sit down and think, think, think.
Before you do so, make sure you have a notebook with you or anything to record your thoughts with. The last thing you want is to think up something brilliant only to forget it later. Even if you have good memory, it is necessary to write down all your ideas including those that do not really appeal to you at the moment because they may become good ideas later on.
Sometimes, not a single idea comes to you no matter how hard you rack your brain. This is why there is such a thing called ‘writer’s block’ but it happens not only to writers but to anyone who performs creative thinking and also problem solving. It happens even to the most creative or clever people you know. The solution to this is quite simple – give it a rest for now.
Just let your brain sit on it for a while. Sometimes, ideas can hit you while you are doing something else that is totally not related to your project like simple chores. If you are exhausted, get a good rest. Your mind will be fresh when you wake up and you will be more productive.
It is also very helpful in sparking creativity to be around creative people. This is exactly why most projects have several people on board. They hold brainstorming sessions where everyone just fires away with their ideas. Learning about the ideas of other people and just the enthusiasm generated by such a gathering will greatly stimulate your creativity.
If you are not part of a creative group or you do not know that many people who would be eager to swap ideas with you, then turn to other resources that can inspire creativity. Pay attention to the people, places and things that surround you. In the same way that creativity is not exclusive to geniuses, the source for inspiration is not limited to masterpieces. You can be inspired by the most ordinary thing.
Explore books or magazines and surf the internet. Go to new places. You need to have this thirst for learning because as you feed your mind, it would constantly have something new to work on. You will discover new ideas, angles and so many other possibilities that you have not thought of before.
Once you have changed your views and attitude about creative thinking, then your ideas can start to flow freely. Naturally, this will only happen when you begin thinking or brainstorming. Focus on the task or goal that you need to be creative about – a presentation, a marketing strategy, an event, and etcetera. Whatever it is, focus on it by asking yourself a specific question. For example, “How can I increase awareness about our new product line?” or “How can I make my daughter’s birthday more fun?”
When you have a particular question in mind, then your brain can start working around it to get an answer. The ideas may not come right away or you may not be satisfied immediately with the ones that you come up with first but these are all part of the creative process. You need to sit down and think, think, think.
Before you do so, make sure you have a notebook with you or anything to record your thoughts with. The last thing you want is to think up something brilliant only to forget it later. Even if you have good memory, it is necessary to write down all your ideas including those that do not really appeal to you at the moment because they may become good ideas later on.
Sometimes, not a single idea comes to you no matter how hard you rack your brain. This is why there is such a thing called ‘writer’s block’ but it happens not only to writers but to anyone who performs creative thinking and also problem solving. It happens even to the most creative or clever people you know. The solution to this is quite simple – give it a rest for now.
Just let your brain sit on it for a while. Sometimes, ideas can hit you while you are doing something else that is totally not related to your project like simple chores. If you are exhausted, get a good rest. Your mind will be fresh when you wake up and you will be more productive.
It is also very helpful in sparking creativity to be around creative people. This is exactly why most projects have several people on board. They hold brainstorming sessions where everyone just fires away with their ideas. Learning about the ideas of other people and just the enthusiasm generated by such a gathering will greatly stimulate your creativity.
If you are not part of a creative group or you do not know that many people who would be eager to swap ideas with you, then turn to other resources that can inspire creativity. Pay attention to the people, places and things that surround you. In the same way that creativity is not exclusive to geniuses, the source for inspiration is not limited to masterpieces. You can be inspired by the most ordinary thing.
Explore books or magazines and surf the internet. Go to new places. You need to have this thirst for learning because as you feed your mind, it would constantly have something new to work on. You will discover new ideas, angles and so many other possibilities that you have not thought of before.
AllContent Editor