5 Ways to Develop Your Creative Thinking

“I’m just not good at creative thinking.”

“I haven’t got a creative bone in my body.”

“I was last in the queue when they were giving out imagination and the ability to be creative.”

Have you ever said this about yourself? If so, you wouldn’t be the first.

People often think that they are not creative just because they don\’t paint, sculpt or make things with their hands. Negative comments often turn out to be self-fulfilling prophecies. The more we think that we can’t be creative the more that we stop the creative juices from flowing. Every one of us is creative in some way or another if only we allow ourselves the time and space.

Creative thinking adds value to everything in your life. It helps you develop the skills you need to create out-of-the-box solutions to problems. Conceptual, abstract, analytical problem solving all begins with a creative thought.

Creative thinking develops your ability to learn. As you expand your abilities, you find yourself seeking more ways to be creative. Once released, creative thinking grows and builds on itself.

Characteristics of Creative Thinkers:

Creative thinkers are curious. Creative thinkers are willing to risk failure. Creative thinkers learn from their mistakes, not live them. Creative thinkers keep an open mind. Creative thinkers embrace uncertainty. Creative thinkers are always looking for the missing piece to complete the puzzle. If there is a problem, they want to find a way to solve it.

5 ways to develop their creative thinking

1.Draw a mind map so that you have a visual representation so you can see how different topics relate to each other. Here’s five of the best mind mapping tools on the market

2. Use as many differently coloured resources as possible: pens post-it notes, crayons, clips, coloured paper, etc…

3. Tell the story about what you’ve developing and what it means to you. Try recording your story and playing it back to yourself. Be open to what you’re hearing. Notice the emotion (or lack of) Allow yourself to get distracted.

4. Play with modelling clay or pipe cleaner as you talk through your ideas. Don’t focus on what your hands are doing, just talk and allow the shapes to develop. Then when you’re finished, reflect on its meaning and how this is connected to the idea that you’re developing.

5. Meditation has been shown to increase cognitive thinking skills, perhaps because it enhances concentration and focus. In a number of studies participants who had meditated performed up to ten times better on cognitive thinking tests. By playing meditation or relaxation music in the background whilst working, it will help you focus your breathing. Take a break every couple of hours from work and really allow yourself to follow the music. Link to Free Huna relaxation download: HaBreath Download (courtesy of Begin Within