Tips To Improve Creativity 

In this article you will find some extra tips to improve your creative thinking, following on from the last article on creativity.

Have An Open Mind

Be open to different ways of exploring a problem, and avoid the temptation to automatically jump to conclusions and assume you know the answer.

Consider as many different possibilities as you can, the best ideas usually come after considering many.

Concentrate Single Mindedly

You brain can only hold 1 thought at a time, so try to focus your complete attention on the task at hand.

The more you allow yourself to become distracted by something (e.g. what’s on TV later?) the less brain power you will have available for solving your primary task.

Have Goals

If you have specific written intensely desired goals, your creative mind will be given a major boost.

With clearly defined goals you will find thinking up great new ideas a lot easier.

Relax 

Make sure you are in a relaxed frame of mind whenever you are working on something important, as stress or any other kind of negative emotion will hinder creativity.

This is why Google and Yahoo employees are allowed games, pets and music in the workplace. Anything that makes them feel comfortable will enhance the quality of their ideas.

Expect To Find The Answer

Don’t go into something saying “this is impossible” or “I could never do that”. Rather approach the task as if there was a logical solution, and always confidently expect to find the answer. It may not come to you immediately, but it will eventually.

Use Positive Language

Avoid using negative limiting language such as “problem”, instead try “challenge” or “opportunity”.

Remember you have complete control over the way you feel, so be careful what language you use and how you speak to yourself.

Define The Situation

Make sure you clearly understand what you are working with. If you go into something with only a vague idea, you will most likely end up frustrated and unhappy.

So try to educate yourself as much as you can, and make sure you clearly understand what you are trying to do.

Ask Questions

The more questions you ask the more answers you will get. Try asking obvious questions first and then consider the opposite to that answer.

Ask what other people would do in your situation. The more curious you can become the more creative you will be.

Write 20 Answers

If you have a task that you are trying to solve but can’t seem to think up any good ideas, try writing down a list of 20 answers to the challenge you face.

The first few answers are likely to come easily, as these will come from your conscious mind.

The last few answers will be the most difficult, but they will usually be the most valuable as they will come from your subconscious. However for this method to work you must do the list in one attempt!