Sometimes it seems that certain people are simply gifted with the knack for creativity. If you feel like you were not one of those lucky few who draws from a seemingly endless creative wellspring, this does not mean that you are doomed to a life of the mundane and expected. Instead, focus on looking for ways to boost your own creativity.
Go for a Walk
A simple walk could temporarily improve certain types of thinking
Re-Conceptualize the Problem
Take a step back and revisit the problem from the beginning
Surround Yourself With Blue
The color blue tends to make people think more creatively
Meditate
Meditation has long been used as a relaxation technique, but recent research has demonstrated that health benefits extend far beyond relaxation.
- Open-monitoring meditation, in which the individual is receptive to any and all thoughts and sensations without focusing on any particular object or idea, can increase divergent thinking and the generation of new ideas.
Create Restrictions
When trying to solve a problem, people often rely on the obvious, building on existing ideas in order to come up with the easiest solution
- This often leads to a good outcome, but it can also lead to mental sets and functional fixedness that makes it challenging to think of creative solutions
- One way to overcome this is to place some restrictions or resistance on your thinking
Reward Yourself
Research has found that rewarding things that are already intrinsically rewarding can backfire and actually reduce motivation, a phenomenon known as the overjustification effect.
- So, try promising yourself some type of desirable treat as a reward for coming up with a creative solution. Just don’t overdo it.
Daydream
Boredom encourages creative thinking because it sends a signal that the current situation or environment is lacking, and looking for new ideas and inspiration helps overcome that
Get Emotional
Positive emotions are linked to creativity, but negative emotions can also be linked to creative thinking
- Make the most of negative emotions by working on something productive when you are in a bad mood
- Apply some of that energy towards solving a problem or accomplishing a task
Create Some Psychological Distance
Place some psychological distance between yourself and the problem
Surround Yourself With Inspiration
Stimulating environments can facilitate creativity, so surround yourself with things that you find inspiring and motivating
- Seek out stimulating experiences and settings that can help trigger inventiveness
- Create an office space that helps you feel inspired and energized
