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The Value of Ignorance to Your Creative Process
Creativity Means Breaking Preconceptions
When we start something with a preconceived notion, we stifle any creative process. An open-mindedness combined with a willingness to experiment can provide us with a pleasant surprise in the final outcome, as we embrace the unexpected and are open to where the process takes us.
The unknown territory is to be reached in our path towards being creative when our expertise fails to hinder our experiments.
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Restrict yourself
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Re-conceptualize the problem
Instead of thinking of a cut-and-dry end goal to certain situations, creative people sit back and examine the problem in different ways before beginning to work.
If you find yourself stagnating by focusing on generic problems, try to re-conceptualize the problem by focusing on a more meaningful angle.
For example: Instead of thinking “What would be something cool to paint?” rather ask, “What sort of painting evokes the feeling of loneliness that we all encounter after a break-up?”
Create psychological distance
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Creative Thinking Defined
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Top Creative Thinking Skills
- Analytical. Before thinking creatively about something, you first have to be able to understand it.
- Open-Minded. Setting aside any assumptions or biases you may have, and look at things in a completely new way.
- Problem Solving. Using your creativity to solve important issues.
- Organization. Being able to structure a plan of action with clear goals and deadlines is vital.
- Communication. Strong written and oral communication skills to communicate your solutions effectively.
Examples of Creative Thinking
- Artistic Creativity. You don't have to be an artist for your work to have an artistic element. For example: Composing a new fundraising script for volunteers or devising a lesson plan that will engage students.
- Creative Problem-Solving. For example: Coming up with new procedures to improve quality or suggesting a way to improve customer service.
- Creativity in STEM. For example: Constructing a research model to test a hypothesis or devising a computer program to automate a billing process.