09 Feb 5 Exercises to Boost your Creativity
Creativity often avoids you because we get used to the same situations. “We tend to be extremely comfortable and to have fixed solutions to the problems we face,” says Barry Staw, specialist in organizational behavior at University of California. According to Staw, we have to try to envision another world.
Break the rules!
“To learn how to think creative, you have to break the rules”, Staw says. This practice can pave the way for new things that we do not feel familiar with and often place us outside our comfort zone. How about changing the way you make presentations or brainstorming sessions? The goal is to reach options that most people would immediately exclude. Staw calls these “lessons in chutzpah” because they help us get the courage to take risks.
Learn through Information
Curiosity will lead you to creativity. Andrew NG, Founder & Formerly Lead of Google Brain Project, doesn’t believe innovation is due to unpredictable flashes of genius. “In my whole life, I found that whenever I wasn’t sure what to do next, I would read very much and talk to specialists. I don’t know how the human brain works but it’s absolutely magic. When you read enough or talk to experts, new ideas start appearing.” Therefore, learning from others can give creativity a boost.
Do Things you Love
Stuck for ideas? Not sure what to do further? Your life needs some balance to ensure your creativity doesn’t suffer. In a letter to his son, Einstein provided a great bit of fatherly insight about his son’s interest in playing piano that is applicable to losing yourself in the creative process: do something that makes you happy!
“That is the way to learn the most, when you are doing something with such enjoyment that you don’t notice the time passes,” Einstein wrote. He said that sometimes was so wrapped up in his work that he forget about the noon meal.
Interest and creativity are intertwined. A hobby, such as playing an instrument, sport or collecting things, can help you relax and fight stress while giving your creativity a boost.
Unplug (Or Just Do Nothing)
Alan Cohen, American businessman says: “There is a virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Don’t overlook neither.” Sometimes your best ideas will come when you’re not at all concentrated. Maybe while you’re walking. Or when you wake up. A good night of rest will help you be more creative and have better ideas. Maybe your next idea will come while you’re driving, shopping or when you simply watch the sunset. If your creativity is lacking, unplug. Relax. And let your brain do the rest.
Use the Six Hats Technique
Sometimes you just need to start over. Forget everything you did before and use the “six different hats”. The process involves tackling things from multiple perspectives. The white hat is the way things would happen if you do not get involved at all, the black one is the worst scenario and the other, possibilities, alternatives.
By looking at a problem from several unique perspectives may be just what you need to find a solution.
