We often think that there are people who are naturally creative. It doesn't cost them anything to come up with a new idea, create an innovative project, or creatively approach the most common task.
But is this true? And if you can “train” your creativity, how can you do it?
Believe it's possible
If you think you're not creative at all, no idea will come to you －－ inspiration will simply subconsciously “block” yourself. Creative thinking is available to everyone －－ If you have never tried to create and create before, you just need to spend a little more time and at least start.
Observe
Creative people love to look around. It's not for nothing that they say about them: “catching crows again” and “hovering in the clouds again”. In fact, creative people are very observant. They are interested in who is doing what in this world, how and how certain processes take place. Consequently, they are more likely to notice something they don't see when they're in a hurry to get things done.
Get into the habit of just “wandering” the streets, watching the world around you, and this will give results.
Include curiosity
Imagine that you still have a 5-year-old child who is ready to bombard everyone you meet with questions like “how does it work?” , “why?” and “what for?”
Innovative ideas are often born from these questions.
For example, microwave inventor Percy Spencer became interested in the properties of a magnetron when a chocolate bar in his pocket warmed up and melted －－ the question “why did this happen?” led to a new invention that can now be seen in almost every home.
Jonathan Ive, famous for his unusual designs for Apple, was also known for going everywhere asking questions. “Good ideas start with conversations,” －－ he said.
Write down ideas
Famous inventors write lists and keep diaries. Thus, Edison owned thousands of notebooks with different notes. Leonardo da Vinci captured ideas using mirror writing and supplied them with diagrams and drawings, many of which were more genius than his time.
Keeping a notebook will help save ideas for the future if you don't have the time or opportunity to implement them at the moment, and will also create the habit of being open to new ideas and appreciating each of them.
Think associatively
Associative thinking －－ it is one of the best idea generators, and it can and should be developed.
The term “association” was coined in 1698 by the English philosopher and teacher John Locke. It is thanks to associative thinking that we learn to think outside the box, cope with complex tasks more easily, develop imagination and stimulate brain function.
The same genius da Vinci, comparing a bird and a man, became imbued with the idea that one day humans would be able to fly. Despite the fact that the flying machines he invented survived only on paper, the inventor's drawings became the starting point for his followers.
Thus, next time you have a spare minute, instead of gadgets, pick up a piece of paper, write any word on it and come up with as many associations as possible. Give preference to non-standard solutions!
Don't be afraid to experiment
Bold experiments －－ This is the path to new ideas and better solutions. Try to do the old in a new way －－ this will expand the boundaries of your perception and open up “untrodden” paths =)
Try to come up with new ways to use ordinary things. Why else would a lamp be useful? How else can I use the chair?
At first glance it seems silly, but in fact, with this exercise you are training your flexibility in thinking.
Don't criticize
“Give up rational perception”, －－ Jonathan Ive said, and he was right. When it comes to new ideas, common sense only gets in the way. Let your thoughts flow freely in your head and on paper －－ You never know which one will shoot. In any case, you will have time to analyze the idea more thoroughly and modify it if necessary.
Include an “idea counter”
Tell yourself that you're going to come up with two or three ideas a day, and stick to the plan strictly. It will seem difficult at first, but you will soon notice that ideas will “crawl” into your head =)
Solve puzzles
It is known that various puzzles, puzzles, charades, puzzles and similar games teach us to look at the problem from different angles and look for innovative solutions.
Create new words
Word games －－ a simple, affordable and fun way to develop creative thinking.
- Change the syllables in words to get new ones, and try to connect them to the old ones.
- Rearrange letters.
- Read the words from right to left.
- Look for shorter words in longer words.
All these seemingly simple exercises will give you a lot of fun and new discoveries, and will also bear fruit.
Be open to any new information
Listen to conversations on the street and in public transport, look at shop windows and billboards, look into other people's newspapers and books, read the inscriptions on T-shirts. Be 100% “on” －－ ideas are all around us.
Search for logical connections even where they don't exist
Write a list of any ten words and try to connect them together, or better yet, write a story using each of them in it. Look for commonalities in unrelated events. Find something that connects two of your unfamiliar friends.
These simple actions will teach you to see connections where they don't exist, find new meanings and create something creative and interesting from the most mundane things.
If you want your child to become more creative and spontaneous and bring their ideas to life, sign up for a free one trial lesson to Progkids online school! We offer a wide range of exciting courses for children, such as creating animation and digital art using AI, as well as developing games through basic programming skills. Block programming courses in Scratch are available for little ones, and your child will also be able to express themselves creatively through blogging.
