7 Ways To Boost Creativity
Posted on November 25, 2008 - Filed Under On Ideation
1. Listen to Lupe Fiasco. His lyrics are sick. If Lupe doesn’t inspire you, we are obviously from different generations.
2. Always carry a small notebook and a pen or pencil around with you. That way, if you are struck by an idea, you can quickly write it down.
3. If you’re stuck for an idea, open a dictionary, randomly select a word and then try to formulate ideas incorporating this word. You’d be surprised how well this works. The concept is based on a simple but little known truth: freedom inhibits creativity. There are nothing like restrictions to get you thinking.
4. Define your problem. Grab a sheet of paper, electronic notebook, computer or whatever you use to make notes, and define your problem in detail. You’ll probably find ideas positively spewing out once you’ve done this.
5. If you can’t think, go for a walk. A change of atmosphere is good for you and gentle exercise helps shake up the brain cells. My favourite walk is from my car to the gondola at Whistler.
6. Read as much as you can about everything possible. Books exercise your brain, provide inspiration and fill you with information that allows you to make creative connections easily.
7. Exercise your brain. Brains, like bodies, need exercise to keep fit. If you don’t exercise your brain, it will get flabby and useless. Exercise your brain by talking to smart people and disagreeing with people – arguing can be a terrific way to give your brain cells a workout. If you don’t have any friends, read the Economist.
- Christian
*Post originally written November 2007
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6 Responses to “7 Ways To Boost Creativity”
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Great idea’s Christian
Cool post mate!!!
Pete
Lupe Fiasco rocks. As do your techniques for getting through a creative block.
Number 3 reminds me of a really cool comic exercise I do sometimes. You pick an object (bar stool) and spend 5 minutes thinking of other things it could be, such as: a hockey puck for a giant, an eye patch, a frisbee, knee pads, etc.
Christian – This is a VERY useful post. I particularly embrace #2 and #4 – getting it on paper is the key! If you can simply list ideas, problems, solutions, goals, benchmarks, etc. Work through the actions that you can take today, tomorrow next week, etc. Decide which 20% of the task will produce 80% of the measurable results and focus on those, save the others for when you can allocate time to complete those.
Thank you for sharing the list!
James
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Read poetry with great imagery. It will help you see comparisons and make connections you’re not used to. Here is a poem about the birth of creativity.
http://www.usiku.net/eloquencepoem.htm
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