"Innovation is often given complex definitions. We prefer the simple one: 'New Ideas that Work.'" -- Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of the National Endowment for Science Technology and Arts
Do you think you are a creative person? If yes, you should know most people never benefit from being creative. True creative people have a developed ability to use and observe all of their resources, senses, and knowledge to help them succeed. So take the time to "sharpen your blade," because there is a long road ahead.
There are two hindrances that can stop your creativity. They are your external and internal barriers. Things that limit your imagination or inspiration are internal barriers and examples of external obstacles are weak expression or presentation skills.
This article includes some simple steps to increase your creativity. So, let's begin!
Steps to Develop Creativity
1. Stop depending on others.
Start learning to use your own resources. Look around for what you do have and how you can make the best use of those resources. This will be a little tough in the beginning, but with time, you will adjust.
This doesn't mean you will be alone and that you may disobey superiors. This just means you can build a learning capacity -- learning from others. It means making proper interactions and creating your own resources.
2. Dream, think, and create.
You have to believe you have an amazing mind full of thoughts and ideas. You need to express them. Tell them to others and see what they say. Some of your ideas may seem funny to you, or inappropriate, but that doesn't matter. It's been said a man is as big as his/her dreams. So, don't stop dreaming and when it's time to give shape to your dreams, express your best approach.
3. Surround yourself with excellence.
Pablo Picasso said, "Good artists copy, great artists steal." That means, good people learn from better people, and better people learn from the best. You can't develop your creativity when you're surrounded by those who keep on discouraging and distracting you. So have some real talented people around you, and learn from them.This is not only about surrounding yourself with talented people, it's about knowledge. Don't limit yourself. Always study and experience a variety of new things. This can propel your creativity forward.
4. Look for some non-value-added jobs.
Include in your daily schedule, hour or more to listen to your hobbies. It can be gardening, collecting souvenirs, painting or anything you like.
Maybe these things aren't going to benefit you financially, but it will definitely help wake up your creativity.
5. Fight your fear of failure.
The fear that you might make a huge mistake or fail in your efforts to do something new, can paralyze your creativity. You need to remember mistakes will always be there -- there are simply part of the creativity process. Many great minds struggle with fear of failure, but they never gave up and they kept trying until they succeeded.
However, to overcome your fear of failure; analyze every potential outcome, make a contingency plan and think about the worst possible scenario. This will help you to regain confidence and start over with full confidence.
6. Expand your comfort zone.
People are often stuck in their comfort zone and afraid to try new things in life. That can be a huge problem because when we have the same routine -- our creativity will just die. We need to change things and allow different adventures to boost our creativity.
You don't need to climb the highest mountain, but you can do some simple things like going to visit a nearby city, talk to a stranger, read a book from genre that you never read.
7. Keep your stress away -- enjoy life.
Don't let yourself to be down about your failures or stressed out. Take a long drive by yourself, hang out with your friends and family or just go to the movies! All these things will help you get back on track.
When we are feeling down, our creativity is stuck inside us and it hard to think of any new idea in that state of mind. That is why it's important to fight it and just enjoy life.
Follow Mehdi Toozhy at https://www.facebook.com/mehditoozhy. More of his insights can be found at http://mehditoozhy.com/blog/.