" Imagination is the
beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire,
you will what you imagine, and at last, you create
what you wish." - George Bernard Shaw
We all admire the
creative process. We marvel at a symphony composed
by Beethoven or Mozart, artwork produced by
Rembrandt or
Picasso, or a novel
written by Robert Ludlum or JK Rowling. Especially
in today's ever-evolving technological society, we
revere those
who can create
innovative goods and services. Yet most of us
believe that creative ability resides only in the
hands of a select group of
fortunate, gifted
individuals.
But what about the
rest of us? Can we also learn to be more creative,
or are creative geniuses born that way? Where
exactly does
creativity stand in
the "nature versus nurture" debate? If indeed
creativity can be cultivated and nurtured, what
factors contribute to
enhance or inhibit
creative performance?
Let us first define
what we mean by creativity. The word implies a sense
of inventiveness, originality, the ability to see
things in novel
ways, and to
synthesize ideas in a unique fashion. Creative
individuals are able to generate new possibilities,
or more than one solution
to a problem. They
are skilled at what is known as "divergent
thinking."
According to the
latest research, creative people seem to be more
adept at " cognitive disinhibition", whereby our
cognitive filters are
dissolved, thus
allowing more internal stimuli to flow through into
consciousness. Brain wave research further suggests
that this process
involves the
interplay of the subconscious region of the brain,
known as the thalamus, relaying internal signals to
the frontal cortex, which
orchestrates
conscious awareness and problem solving skills.
Research also suggests that we can train ourselves
to become more
skilled at
encouraging tis process to take place.
Indeed, environmental
factors may play a crucial role in promoting
creativity. Studies have shown that children
entering first grade often
show a decrease in
creative output after completing the first year of
school. It is believed that this decrease is caused
by the negative
messages the students
receive from teachers who insist on doing things "
the right way." Thus, positive messages and a
supportive
environment can
indeed boost creative output.
Most experts on
creativity would agree that it is a skill that can
be improved upon and mastered with practice. In the
world of business,
many methods have
been proposed and developed to help boost
creativity. The traditional approach assumes that
creativity is
unstructured and
doesn't follow any patterns or rules. In this
light, "brainstorming" groups are typically formed,
whereby participants are
encouraged to think
and explore wild ideas "outside of the box", in
order to come up with breakthrough solutions.
Conversely, Professor
Jacob Goldenberg, co-author of " Inside The Box,"
believes that we innately possess certain mental
templates or
patterns for creative
problem solving. However, according to the author,
these are most effectively elicited and utilized by
limiting our
focus of awareness
rather than expanding it, thus imposing "closed
system" constraints to boost our creativity.
Finally, another concept
employed by those
teaching creative thinking skills is to encourage us
to challenge and contradict previously held beliefs.
In other words,
rather than copying
or imitating what others have done, you need to
consider breaking the rules of the industry and then
re-define them.
Creativity and mood
also appear to be related. research suggests that
being in a positive mood state increases one's
creativity. In
various studies,
subjects put in a positive mood scored higher on
divergent thinking tasks, such as naming more uses
for common
objects. Thus, while
it is easy to feel sad ,angry or frustrated at times
when struggling to find a solution to a problem,
taking a "time out"
might be of help. At
such times, why not engage in some fun, playful
activity that can improve your mood? Later, when
refreshed and
rejuvenated, you will
probably have greater success with your problem
solving efforts.
In conclusion, the
following tips are offered to help boost your
creativity:
1) When problem
solving, let yourself run wild with zany ideas, and
assume a non-judgmental attitude.
2) You never know
when you will be visited suddenly by your
"creativity muse." Always carry a pad with you to
jot down inspirational
ideas as they emerge.
3) When feeling
stuck, take a walk, jog, dance or skateboard. All
physical activity and exercise is good for thinking
as well, as it causes
the release of
endorphins (those happy mood chemicals) in the
brain.
4) Avoid drugs that
can interfere with brain function, especially those
that are depressants.
5) Expand the mind by
regularly taking classes in new subjects. Try
activities that challenge you, and don't worry about
failure. It's all
good for you.
6 )Engage in
stimulating mind games and puzzles.
7) Find ways to
generate laughter.
8) Find uplifting and
inspirational music, and let your soul soar.
9) De-stress
yourself. Go to a spa. Get a massage. Meditate.
Generating those "alpha waves" in the brain when in
a relaxed state
appear to be a
precursor to creative output.
10) Keep a dream
journal. Many great ideas come to us in our sleep.
" Think left and think right
And
think low and think high.
Oh, the thinks you can think up
If only you try."
Dr. Seuss
Happy
Birthday Dear Bennett!!!!
Love & Hugs,
Joyce and Gerard