People have different levels of creativity. Not everyone can paint pictures, compose songs, or make films. However, universities have departments that teach various types of art. Creativity can be learned. The same applies to everyday creativity or the ability to think outside the box. Any problem has several possible solutions, and each task can be performed differently.
Sometimes, the first idea that comes to mind is the best, but more often, a tired brain suggests something that is most appropriate from experience, and it is not at all the fact that it is the most effective. The thought process is relatively energy-intensive, and searching for alternative solutions does not guarantee results. The question arises: why make so much effort when the solution is already ready? To circumvent these limits, you can use four relatively simple techniques that do not require special skills or knowledge.
4 ways to increase your creativity
1. Six words
We don’t all like listening to long voice messages. A question or request that can fit into one sentence can take several minutes. A miracle happens if you ask such an interlocutor to send text messages next time. Instead of “sheets” for a few paragraphs, we get relatively concise messages. Brevity is available to everyone. This is what the practice of “six words” is all about.
Describe something complex in just six words—your life, job, a particular person, weekend, or vacation plans. When faced with this artificial barrier, you will choose your words more carefully. Not only will memory be involved in the process, but it will also be a source of creativity.
Six words are not enough; the first constructions will look incomplete. Gradually, thoughts and images intertwine, creating new bundles to fit broad meanings into a narrow space. In turn, this will impact the vision of the described reality. But you will look at life, work, or a person with slightly different eyes from a different angle.
2. Changes in small things
Everything big, complex, and essential consists of many little things, including all areas of life. Getting into the daily routine, a person often acts on autopilot. This is how physical and mental efforts are optimized. Why think or make informed decisions when there have been proven algorithms for years? This is how habits and lifestyles are developed. You know the route to work in advance, which store you will go to, and what you will buy.
Of course, there is a place for effortless spontaneity: choose other chips and order a new type of pizza. “Cola,” “Pepsi,” or start an absolute riot by buying “Aunt Pear”? We also face such dilemmas daily, but life generally moves along the rails. Visit. A F R I N I K . C O M . For the full article .A sharp turn is almost impossible and also very dangerous. First, you need to lay alternative branches. Start with small changes in the little things, and give up some habits.
Gradually, you’ll notice how more global alternatives to the same job, summer vacation, and weekend activities are emerging. Going beyond routine and predestination forces you to make informed decisions more often and encourages you to think more creatively. Start by painlessly replacing familiar items, changing your favorite clothing brand, or going to the store. Bring an unusual little thing to your every day.
3. Don’t finish what you can’t finish
This idea belongs to the famous writer Ernest Hemingway, who considered all kinds of schedules and routines extremely harmful. This may be true when it comes to art and creative work. A masterpiece cannot be created to order within a strictly set time limit. The concept’s meaning is simple and contradicts the generally accepted rule about rescheduling cases. Postpone the completion of the task if you know exactly how and what to do next.
But, after the most difficult stage of finding an idea or working out a plan, save the sweetest for later. There is an important caveat here. The completion of the process needs to be postponed, not the beginning; otherwise, there will be no process. Ernest Hemingway proposed putting the brain in a position of passive idea generation.
Your mind doesn’t understand why you don’t complete the task, even though you have the time, and most importantly, you know exactly what to do and how to do it. Therefore, he will double-check his plans in the background and look for alternatives. You will notice these alternatives when you return to the task after a while. They may be useless because they were chosen almost unconsciously, but new, unique thoughts may arise.
4. Random interest
Our interests and professions largely determine our view of the world. The teacher looks at society as a classroom. A lawyer evaluates everything that happens as if he were in a courtroom. The historian is cynical because the most important things will end up on the pages of textbooks, and the rest does not matter.
The architect sees drawings and structures everywhere. Of course, this is not literal; everyone has feelings, emotions, and dreams. However, the professional field inevitably leaves its mark on the world’s perception. The easiest way to broaden your horizons is to communicate with representatives of other professions.
You need to take a casual interest in unknown subjects. Many things will be uninteresting and immediately discarded, but something will undoubtedly be fascinating. By mixing interests and knowledge, you will gain new concepts and appreciate entirely different points of view. In addition, the very process of learning something is a manifestation of creativity.
