The following was taken from an electronic newsletter published by Dr. Firestien, on September 6, 2001Welcome to the first issue of Insights From The Road, the e-newsletter of creativity from "The Gold Standard of Creativity Training," Roger L. Firestien, Ph.D. Enjoy!
No more "Same Ol' Thing"!
Sometimes the road takes me, not to another speaking engagement or creative problem solving session, but back home. This summer, a visit to my parents' home in Colorado took me back to my own creativity as well. Here's how.
While back on the farm, I decided to pitch in and help out around the homestead. My chore? Saddle up the old riding mower and take it for a spin.
Although I hadn't mowed that lawn in twenty years, I gradually noticed something. I was doing the job the exact same way I had two decades before! The same patterns, the same directions -- I went around the obstacle course of trees and flowers on autopilot.
That got me thinking. What other areas of my life am I mowing the same old way?
That should get you thinking, too. What are you doing that, although it's working just fine, isn't doing much for your creativity?
If you're stuck in the same old pattern, here are five easy steps to get a bit more creative, and possibly increase your productivity and profit.
1. Notice. Just notice. Notice patterns that work, and those that don't. Are you exercising regularly? Taking time out to develop new ideas? That's a good pattern. Now look at patterns that aren't working. Do you always react to a certain person or project the same way? Is there a consistent bottleneck in your work? That pattern needs changing.
2. Step back. Get some distance from the situation. Imagine what you would really like the situation to become. What would you ideally like to see happen?
3. Change the pattern. Now ask yourself, "How else can I do this?" "What if?" "How can I use something that doesn't fit with this problem at all?" At first your responses may be a little vague, so play with those ideas a bit.
4. Check the results. Like what you're getting? Great! You've changed the pattern for the better.
5. Adjust as necessary. If you're still not satisfied, keep adjusting what you're doing until you get the results you want. Remember -- there's no final step in the creative process.
That's what creative thinking is all about. Noticing -- and changing -- the way things have always been done. So next time you find yourself stuck as a mower or a manager, remember that sometimes creativity isn't coming up with new ideas. It's eliminating old ones!
Written on airplanes, in airports and hotel rooms, Insights captures creativity insights you can use for outstanding results every day. Thanks to the Web, I can share those insights with you overnight. Let's be creative out there!
Sincerely,
Roger
Creativity That Gets Results(TM)
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