What makes some people so creative?
Why is it that certain people seem to have a million and one ideas, while others just stare into space and struggle to come up with even one?
Why do some people seem to be natural innovators, while others struggle to come up with the next bright idea?
For inspiration, take look at a spectacular gallery in today’s Telegraph for a sneak peek at what some of England's most creative businesses are working on right now. Incredible stuff!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/picture-galleries/11355565/A-sneak-peek-at-what-Englands-most-creative-businesses-are-working-on-right-now.html?frame=3170640
Everyone has the potential to be creative.
Creativity if skills that, with proper effort and commitment, can be hones like a finely sculpted muscle.
Here are 5 Top Tips to help you think more creatively:-
1. Reframe it
When we phrase a question or problem in a different light, we are more likely to find solutions.
We often look at things from a single angle preventing us from seeing all the possibilities. One way to think more creatively is to phrase the question differently or to put the problem in a different scenario.
So rather than ‘how can we increase sales?’ look at it from the different angle of ‘how can we get customers to spend more?’
“The solutions to problems are rational – the process of finding them is not”.
2. Avoid logical thinking
Logical, left-brain thinking can prevent us from innovative thoughts, because when we think logically, we only use what we know.
Creative ideas are built from what we DON’T yet know.
To facilitate this process, you can look for inspiration from music, art or people. Or you can use your own dreams to come up with solutions.
Studies show that dreams help us problem solve and one advantage to dreams is that they don’t follow logic or rules but instead give us new insights.
“The mind is like a parachute – it must be open to work.”
3. Avoid being practical
This point relates to the methods we use to problem-solve. Sometimes, we tend to stick to one tried-and-tested method and not try other ways.
Instead, we should be trying to combine different ideas or methods together.
“It’s better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong – than to be always right by having no ideas at all.”
4. Accept ambiguity
Most problems are ambiguous and may not actually have a straightforward solution.
But isn’t it our goal to find a solution? To think creatively, we must accept that each problem is unique and that it will take time and creative effort to find a unique solution.
“You won’t solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created it.”
5. Talk with others
We often like to see ourselves as the experts and that we should come up with ideas alone.
But the truth is that some of the best ideas usually come from the outside.
We get ideas by bouncing around thoughts with people who may not be the expert in your area – but they bring you their own perception, knowledge and expertise.
“The best way to get a good idea is to get A LOT if ideas.”
Want more Tips for How to think more creatively or tips on a range of other management and trainer issues from experts?
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