Creativity Defined
It is your ability to combine ideas in a unique way or to make useful associations among ideas.
“Virtually, there is no problem you cannot solve, no goal you cannot achieve, no obstacle you cannot overcome if you know how to apply the creative powers of your mind”
You Are Creative!
Creativity is not about inventing something totally new, it is about making new connections. You don't have to be a special kind of person to be creative - everyone can do it. It's not about who you are, it's about what you do. You just need to start looking for multiple solutions rather than settling for just one, and give yourself permission to be playful and inquisitive, flexible and versatile.
Learning and Developing Creativity
"The good news is that creativity is a skill and a talent that can be learned and developed through practice. With this skill, you can dramatically accelerate your personal and professional growth. By sharpening your thinking skills and exercising your natural creative powers, you can multiply the value of your efforts and rapidly increase the quantity and quality of your rewards."
Guide to Your Personal Creativity
1. Use self-talk, "I am creative"
2. Explore your project. Ask yourself
Why do I want to do this?
What will happen if I'm successful? What will I get out of it?
What (how hard) have I tried before?
To what extent did I succeed? Fail? Why?
3. Set modest goals. Accept human limitations
4. Be prepared to work hard
• Remember Edison: "Invention is 1% inspiration, 99% aspiration."
• Take lessons, get advice, criticism
• Plan. Think through what you want to do. Get a mental picture of a good finished product.
• Revise, redo.
5. Don't start out going to perfect solution.
• Think of many approaches, and ideas that relate to your project. Go for quantity. As many as possible.
• Let all thoughts come out no matter how absurd. Don't evaluate. Don't be afraid to be wrong.
• Make yourself laugh. Think of illegal, implausible, immoral, or surprising ideas.
• Don't worry about the present order of things. Experiment.
• Try things you know - you're not "supposed" to.
• Expect uncertainty, anxiety. Using your right brain - the original thinking - takes courage.
6. Play with thoughts and ideas
Build on ideas to get new ideas.
Look at your project from many viewpoints. Eliminated, combined, reversed
Look for clues everywhere. Even in unrelated areas. Borrow from wherever you can.
Relax and have fun.
7. Take vacations often
• Put your work aside and do something unrelated.
• Immerse yourself in a rich environment.
8. Reward yourself. Even for small progress. "See I knew I could do it."
It is your ability to combine ideas in a unique way or to make useful associations among ideas.
“Virtually, there is no problem you cannot solve, no goal you cannot achieve, no obstacle you cannot overcome if you know how to apply the creative powers of your mind”
You Are Creative!
Creativity is not about inventing something totally new, it is about making new connections. You don't have to be a special kind of person to be creative - everyone can do it. It's not about who you are, it's about what you do. You just need to start looking for multiple solutions rather than settling for just one, and give yourself permission to be playful and inquisitive, flexible and versatile.
Learning and Developing Creativity
"The good news is that creativity is a skill and a talent that can be learned and developed through practice. With this skill, you can dramatically accelerate your personal and professional growth. By sharpening your thinking skills and exercising your natural creative powers, you can multiply the value of your efforts and rapidly increase the quantity and quality of your rewards."
Guide to Your Personal Creativity
1. Use self-talk, "I am creative"
2. Explore your project. Ask yourself
Why do I want to do this?
What will happen if I'm successful? What will I get out of it?
What (how hard) have I tried before?
To what extent did I succeed? Fail? Why?
3. Set modest goals. Accept human limitations
4. Be prepared to work hard
• Remember Edison: "Invention is 1% inspiration, 99% aspiration."
• Take lessons, get advice, criticism
• Plan. Think through what you want to do. Get a mental picture of a good finished product.
• Revise, redo.
5. Don't start out going to perfect solution.
• Think of many approaches, and ideas that relate to your project. Go for quantity. As many as possible.
• Let all thoughts come out no matter how absurd. Don't evaluate. Don't be afraid to be wrong.
• Make yourself laugh. Think of illegal, implausible, immoral, or surprising ideas.
• Don't worry about the present order of things. Experiment.
• Try things you know - you're not "supposed" to.
• Expect uncertainty, anxiety. Using your right brain - the original thinking - takes courage.
6. Play with thoughts and ideas
Build on ideas to get new ideas.
Look at your project from many viewpoints. Eliminated, combined, reversed
Look for clues everywhere. Even in unrelated areas. Borrow from wherever you can.
Relax and have fun.
7. Take vacations often
• Put your work aside and do something unrelated.
• Immerse yourself in a rich environment.
8. Reward yourself. Even for small progress. "See I knew I could do it."
