How to Think More Creatively

To think more creatively you must begin utilizing questions far more effectively. Questions are of course vital because they help unlock answers that lead to new understandings, insights and perspectives. This subsequently generates new possibilities that you can use to your advantage to move forward in a better way. However, when facing a problem we sometimes just don’t know what questions to ask. In such instances, ask yourself what questions it might be helpful to ask in this situation. Then ask those questions. One question will lead to the next, and eventually creative ideas will come.

Thinking more creatively requires a lighthearted approach to living. In other words, stop taking things so seriously. Moreover, stop taking yourself so seriously. To think more creatively you need to loosen up a bit and have a little fun. This of course requires tackling every challenge in a lighthearted, playful and imaginative way. Creative ideas will only come to you when you’re enjoying the process of solving your life’s problems. With this in mind, turn your problems into a game, and then challenge yourself to lightheartedly play with ideas until adequate solutions come to mind that can help you move forward in a better way.

Creativity is of course very often a number’s game. The more ideas you are able to generate, the better your chances of coming up with something that may work. And this of course involves the process of trial and error. In other words, creativity is all about testing and experimentation. You must try new things, take risks and learn from all your successes and failures. Mistakes will no doubt be made along the way. That’s just part of the creative process. View your mistakes as valuable feedback that you can use to move yourself forward. And above all else, keep an open mind when exploring new possibilities.

Having an open mind means being receptive to new possibilities, perspectives and ideas. Now of course, throughout the creative process, things won’t always make sense. In fact, you might come across new understandings and insights that don’t quite seem right, and may actually make you feel rather uncomfortable. Instead of dismissing these ideas, choose to question your assumptions. Is it possible that you’re not seeing things clearly? Is it possible that your assumptions are preventing you from understanding the value of this idea? Keeping an open mind will allow you to be flexible in thought, decision and action.

Often, in order to think more creatively you need to be willing and able to break the rules about how things should be done. In other words, you must muster up the courage to think differently and challenge accepted standards, practices and norms. Consider why things are done a certain way, and then question whether there may actually be a better way to get this desired result. This approach to thinking of course involves stepping out of the box in order to gain a different perspective of the situation. It might even require breaking that box and rebuilding it in a new and more efficient way that opens doors to new possibilities.

To think more creatively of course requires practice, and practice of course takes time. There will be plenty of ups and downs throughout the creative process, and possibly some major struggles. Creative answers don’t often come quickly or easily. With this in mind, creativity therefore requires patience and resilience on your part. You need patience to develop exceptional creative ideas, and you need resilience to persist and persevere through your struggles. The creative process therefore cannot be rushed, and it is something that needs your full and undivided attention for as long as it takes to light that spark.