People often think of creativity as a gift that artists, musicians and graphic designers have when they paint, write songs or develop marketing collateral. And while that’s true, creativity is problem-solving in everyday life. In fact, when artists design something new, they are problem-solving!
What are our beliefs about creativity? What are the actual skills involved? How do we recognize the qualities that constitute our individual capabilities? How might we take those gifts and incorporate them into our daily lives? And how do creativity and problem solving enhance our space, spirit, and overall well-being?
Every responsibility we have, every task, chore or assignment that’s required has room for creativity if we allow ourselves a little“play.” Youmightrememberyour childhood or perhaps that of your own children. Think about a toddler getting dressed, or eating in their high chair or “working” in the garden. Youngkidsfindroomfor creativity (play) in everything they do. It’s the way we learn! Sadly, our emotional response to daily “have to’s”, mundane tasks or repetitive jobs, becomes de-energized and even rote and dismal. Nevertheless, the potential is always there for us to play a little (privately) with what we have before us.
There are creative impulses and creative responses. The desire to make a sculpture, paint a bright color on a wall or fix an unusual meal is often an impulse. The challenge of clearing out a closet, or paying bills can allow for a creative response if we see the possibilities and make choices that are outside our habit patterns.
The choice is inherent in any creative response. Ifweonlyrepeatthesameroutine, we run the risk of boredom, apathy, and decreasing motivation. If we allow ourselves a whole new process, we might find we even enjoy the task. It’s all about remembering that we have options in the way we choose to schedule, and how we design our environment. We can pair soothing and activating music with our tasks, or take our bill-paying outside on a terrace or patio. We can light a fragrant candle, prepare a novel drink or healthy snack while we execute a dull chore. Suggestions for maximizing a creative outcome? Achieving a calm meditative state is the most familiar. Most of us have experienced the unique idea or slant on a dilemma that occurs in the less focused moments, like when we’re in the shower, or taking a walk. While these insights can occur spontaneously, more regular forms of relaxation can help us achieve similar ends. Regular engagement with any quiet type activities— mindfulness meditation, jigsaw puzzles, coloring with pastels or crayons, doodling with colored pencils or shaping up the garden, walking in nature, can relieve brain tangles by eliminating stuck thinking and daily pressure.
Alternating focused mental work with any physical activity, - swimming, working out or yoga helps us achieve refreshed and productive attention with contrast. Visiting new places, taking alternative routes when driving, and seeking diverse landscapes also clears the mind and provides fresh stimulation to the brain’s neuronal connections.
Some of the easiest ways to get inspired involve reading relevant books while sitting still, listening to motivational books while moving, and of course attending lectures and programs that address your concerns focused on personal or professional growth. Today a variety of audio material is available to us on our cell phones. Take advantage and explore! Exploring lends an opportunity to be surprised and delighted by novel stimuli. Reliably, theatre, dance, film, and the arts provide ingenuity that magically transfers itself into “just what we need,” if we are venturesome enough to give it a try.
And, we cannot overlook the value of group problem solving when we’re seeking fresh ideas. Brainstorming is often the secret sauce for partners, colleagues, and teams of all sizes to gather a big picture of possibilities from which to choose a direction and/ or solve a problem.
It’s important to remember that creativity is a process, not necessarily product. There’s a stage-wise process beginning with preparation and incubation and rounding up to illumination, evaluation, and implementation.
When we clean the house, or our
desk, or wander around doing what seems like random tasks, we are in the preparation stage. We’vesuggestedaproblemto ourselves and our brain quietly incubates. “Sudden insight” is the hallmark of the illumination phase - we might feel like an idea has hatched from out of the blue!
Finally, we choose and implement a solution to the dilemma we’ve been considering. Thisprocesshappensonmicroand macro levels, from small decisions occurring daily to major life dilemmas that don’t get implemented for years. With practice, you’ll bring that hidden cycle to light and begin to understand how it is you solve problems or make changes in your own life.
Switch it all up, call for insights, make different choices, and let yourself in for some new learning! The pleasure of growth is a wonderful stress reliever and productivity is the result. Go ahead and add to your power by revitalizing your brain with the skill and imagination to create new things.
And while we’re talking about refreshed mindsets... join Dr. Andrea Gould-Marks and BB Peters in creating the next chapter of your life at our June 13th “YOU...Re-imagined” workshop. Information and registration at boomtalkmedia.com.
