by Jan Delmas
We can all enhance our creativity. While some behaviors and circumstances can encourage the flow of ideas, others can stifle idea generation all together. Sometimes it’s our belief we’re not creative that limits us with negative thinking and self criticism getting in the way of believing in our abilities.
What obstacles do you think you’re facing? The following questions and thoughts might shed some light for you:
- Do I think of creativity as serious business or a way to play with ideas and problem solving?
- Do I always look for the right answer or do I look around for lots of possible right answers?
All creative ideas should be given a chance. Don’t just consider the easy or practical ones as it might take lots of crazy ideas before you hit upon the one that adds extraordinary value to your product or service and ultimately, the business
- Do I seek advice from experts only or do I ask for input from a variety of diverse sources?
A mix of talents and thought patterns can create an exhilarating challenging environment where new and innovative ideas can be revealed.
- Do I try not to make mistakes or do I accept that mistakes and failure are part of the creative process?
Tom Watson Senior, founder of IBM, was frequently quoted as saying, “the way to accelerate your success is to double your failure rate.” Fear of failure can be paralysing as it inhibits innovative thinking and often leads to mediocrity. Creativity is severely limited by a fear of self expression and of the judgment and ridicule of others. A culture that applauds and rewards creative and innovative thinking will help people overcome any fears of failure and appearing foolish.
- Do I dismiss silly ideas or do I consider my sense of humour and fun a stockpile for possibilities however crazy or absurd the ideas may be?
Highly creative thinkers see beyond the logical problem solving techniques to include intuition, emotion, imagination and humour. Albert Einstein once wrote that “Imagination is more powerful than knowledge.”
- Do I only tell my ideas to those who will agree or support it or do I obtain feedback from many sources including the ‘devil’s advocate’?
Creative tension is a concept discussed in Peter Senge’s book, ‘The Fifth Discipline’ and in Robert Fritz’s ‘Creating’. It means that those with opposing views challenge their entrenched beliefs and open themselves up to the unthinkable or undoable. This exercise may then allow for some unusual solutions to emerge as creative expression is not hindered.
- Do I follow the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” or do I continually challenge and look for ways to improve products, services or systems?
- Do I maintain silence when I don’t understand something or do I ask the ‘dumb’ questions?
- Do I have any system or process to record any ideas that may come to me or do I keep an ‘idea journal’ or electronic system to record my ideas.
Within an organization, structures and systems should be in place to capture, channel and track creativity so great ideas aren’t lost. The system should also include criteria to determine which ideas are explored further and which aren’t taken any further. ‘A Guide on Creating Ideas for Your Business and Deciding the Best Ones’ can help.
- Do I continue to push myself even when too tired to work on the problem or do I take breaks deliberately to put things on the back burner and restore my creative energy?
A stressful, hectic environment is not generally conducive to idea generation as it doesn’t provide enough quiet time for relaxation and introspection. Stress is not only bad for your health, it’s a distraction that drains creative energy. Taking conscious breaks from the everyday routine and giving yourself time for reflection may facilitate finding that great idea or solution to that problem.
