X I D E A S

Everyone has creative talent, but many people lack confidence in their own creativity. “I’m not very creative” is a common lament, even from people who manage their careers well and are extremely successful in bringing value to the business where they work. In fact, developing a more efficient approach to your own workload requires considerable creativity. So the term creativity can have a much broader meaning than simply being possessed of artistic talent.

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Look at the world around you. Developing creativity requires the same amount of thought and attention as developing any other skill. Although some people do seem to be more innately creative than others, it’s wrong to think that some individuals have and other’s don’t. Creativity is a natural form of human expression.

Take a look at the world you’ve created around yourself. Your home and workspace are a creative expression of who you are and so are the social networks you’ve created for yourself. All these things are evidence of your creativity. All any of us needs to do is recognize that creativity takes many forms, become aware of the process, and work on making it a conscious activity.

Useful Techniques

• Brainstorming. Brainstorming generates a free flow of ideas, associations and concepts, however foolish at the outset. Energy generated by the brainstorming group is contagious, fostering creative leaps and jumps.
• Finding the zone. Artists, athletes and craftspeople often experience the phenomenon of being in the creative zone, a state in which it’s almost as if they were running on automatic pilot. This usually happens when people are totally absorbed in what they are doing that their creative energy takes over and generates its own momentum. Total concentration seems to switch something in the brain that enables pure, unrestrained expression.
• Stimulating the creative side of the brain. The right side of the brain is where intuitive and creative abilities reside; the left side is where logical thinking takes place. A number of techniques exist that enable you to switch consciously from left side to right, thereby enabling you to tap into your reserves of inspiration and innovation.
• Relaxation/Meditation. Logical thinking generates beta waves in the brain. Relaxation/Meditation techniques produce alpha waves, whose positive effects include creative thought. The alpha state has been found to be an exceptionally good way to enhance learning, as it clears the path for new thoughts and inspirations. Listening to soothing, uncomplicated music is another way of tuning your brain into a different wavelength.
• Doing something out of context. Being creative is about breaking habits and being open to new thoughts and experiences. Try something that you’ve never done before, something undemanding like going to an event that you normally wouldn’t go, or taking a different route to work. You’ll be surprised at how such a simple change can open the creative floodgates.

COMMON MISTAKES

You don’t keep an open mind

People who don’t have time for, or don’t value, creative talent often miss out on the flow of ideas that might just contain the germ of the next big thing. Allowing creative energy the freedom to express itself without restraint or censure is the best way to reap it’s benefits.

You don’t do a reality check

Just because and idea is exciting doesn’t mean it will be useful! Build a reality check into your development process to ensure that only those ideas that are viable actually end up in the market.

You’re not receptive enough to new ideas

Sometimes ideas are dismissed simply because they threaten the status quo or challenge long held, never questioned values. Always ask yourself “On what basis am I rejecting this idea?” If your dismissal is coming from habit or old assumptions, step back and think again.

You give up too easily

Don’t expect too much of yourself too soon. Be patient and give yourself exploring time before abandoning the effort. Rewards are often immediate, but if they aren’t, or you feel you need support, seek a friend, teacher, mentor who can help you unleash the latent power of your right brain.

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