“Creativity is
the process of bringing something new to existence”
Ecstasy.” –
Rollo May, The Courage to Create
We have heard the word “Creative” all our life. Whether in
school, college, family gatherings or at work. People have always judged us and
tagged us with either being, “creative or not creative”. Have you noticed in
your personal life that some people are recognized and listened to more than
others? Or have you been on the receiving end where in your friend or colleague
is most sought after rather than you? I
am sure you have asked these questions to yourself and you’re always left with
unsatisfied answers.
Creativity is new and unique ideas; makes connections with
previously unrelated notions; is not afraid to use unorthodox methods; is seen
as original and meaningful thoughts or ideas. Creativity has set us apart from
all other form of life that exists. It’s this ability of mankind that has
helped us reach where we are today.
This book will give you insights into your very own creative
compartments and how to unlock those doors to harness your true potential. We
will learn about our true potential and enhance this ability to achieve greater
deeds. I won’t say this will be easy, but I can assure you that you will be
better than yesterday.
Chapter 1- Proficiency Level
In this chapter we will discuss about our current level of
proficiency in context of creative thinking and creative contribution on day to
day environment.
Level 1: Basic
A person who generates new ideas regarding his or her job or
day to day tasks, these are the people who try old solutions to solve problems
but are open to new methods when challenged. He/she is seen as creative and
contributor in brain storming settings or environment.
Level 2: Intermediate
A person who generates many new and unique ideas. Searches for
new and effective methods and good at making connections between previously
unrelated ideas. Is seen as original and value add in brainstorming
environment.
Level 3: Advanced
A person who develops innovative ideas and uses unique methods
of doing things. Pursues new methods and alternative solutions. Uses unorthodox
methods and connects disparate ideas. Is generally observed as a motivator and
a guide for others to generate thoughts and ideas in brainstorming settings.
Level 4: Expert
A person who consistently generates and implements original
ideas for himself or herself and for others, handling complex and simple
challenges or problems. Is not prejudiced and uses analysis and cross
pollination of information from one situation to another in order to find
solutions.
I hope this helps you in analyzing your current level of
proficiency and also helps you in setting realistic goals in terms of where you
want your proficiency level to be.
Chapter 2 – How to hone creative skills
Can creativity be learned?
The answers is yes.
We all are born with certain skills however it does not mean
we cannot acquire new skills. For example, if we had to start a new human race
from the beginning today then reading and writing will be impossible. But for a
fact we now know that our brain has the capability and a compartment to acquire
the skill set of reading and writing. It’s when the situation arise we learn or
acquire skills to meet the desired results. On a similar ground only when you
feel the need you can improve and unlock your creative thinking. Another
example which is common to all of us is, when your computer’s memory is full we
look at buying an external hard disk or to replace the existing one with a new
one so that we have the space that we need. Hence the desire has to come within
you. It needs a lot of discipline to hone these skills. Creativity can be
fostered.
Innovation and Creativity do not always come from the hallowed
halls of Ivy League University’s or Science Labs. Sometimes they come from the
least likely places and are born out of personal tragedy. An uneducated man
working in a Northern Nickel Mine is content to live out his existence pushing
an Ore Car when six members of his family are killed by a drunk driver. He does
not have money or business savvy or for that matter know who to ask where these
are to be found. What he does have is the burning desire to not let this
tragedy become just more statistics on a police blotter and quickly forgotten.
He begins a cottage industry business driving people and their vehicles safely
home who would otherwise be over the limit. Next month he will have removed
from the roads his 1/4 of a million person who would have endangered themselves
and others. This self-effacing man has raised a phoenix from the ashes of
tragedy. Lincoln learned to write on the back of a shovel with charcoal and
went on to write the Gettysburg Address. This man wrote in blood a new way of
thinking about what was once considered normal about drinking and driving.
Your aptitude to generate innovative ideas is not merely a
purpose of the mind, but also a function of five key comportments that optimize
your brain for discovery:
a)
Associating: drawing connections between problems,
questions from unrelated fields or situations.
b)
Questioning: Asking questions which are
unorthodox.
c)
Observing: Scrutinizing your surrounds and others
behavior to identify new ways of doing things.
d)
Networking: Meeting people from different walks of
life and observe their perceptions.
e)
Experimenting: Constructing interactive
experiences and provoking unorthodox responses to see what insights emerge.
The mantra for creative thinking is A-B-C-D (Always Be
Connecting the Dots) Creativity is a habit, and that too a desired one. If you
make the above five discovery skills a habit on a daily basis, you will develop
your skills in innovation and creativity.
There’s a particular element where creativity ascends. It’s a
little bit like the wick sweltering the flame, and its fuel is the oil – it’s
in an oil lamp, and you are the spark. All the resemblances, by the way are
very scarce, but it’s just a distant guesstimate to get you into a sagacity of
what that place is. So you are the flare, and you feel your way into the very
foundation – down the wick into where the oil is inside yourself. That’s the
place, the foundation, so if anything is new, creative, then it has a fragrance
of the cradle.
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