Creative Solutions

Creative thinking is vitally important for our success and happiness. We need to be able to come up with creative solutions whenever it becomes necessary. We need to live our lives creatively. Creative life is not reserved for artists, writers, and inventors – it is for every person. People who do not develop their creativity, more often become perplexed and even depressed when they suddenly discover that their old and “proven” methods of doing things don’t work anymore.

What can you do to learn creative thinking?

1. Accept every outer challenge or inner tension as a chance to develop a creative approach. We as humans like when our life is peaceful, predictable, and well-organized. We don’t like sudden changes, especially the ones of unpleasant character. However, such occurrences give rise to our creativity as nothing else.

2. Become aware of your thought and behavior patterns. You don’t have to label them as “good” or “bad”, just try to recognize them. We all gradually become accustomed to think and act in a certain way. We react to all that happens in a certain way. Become conscious of those reactions. Once you know them well, it will be easier for you to change them, when it will become necessary.

3. Allow your imagination to play. Well-developed imagination is a hallmark of every creative individual. Amidst your usual activities, find some time for a mental play. Imagine the desired outcome of your plans. Imagine what would happen if you would act differently. Think of uncommon things and ideas. Relate different things to each other. You are absolutely free to do whatever you want in your mind – so, use this freedom for your benefit. Many of the thoughts you play with, can become workable solutions for your problems.

4. Do not give away your power to outward appearances or labels. Just think, what solution would you prefer: the one that works, or the one that is in agreement with some tradition you follow? Would you like to live and work effectively or to be approved by some group? A desire to comply with certain conditions can be a trap, especially if those conditions are outdated. Creative thinkers are known for their disregard of man-made and useless rules.

5. Ask questions. Perhaps, the most important questions are “why?” and “does it work?” These questions raise your level of awareness. They invite you to examine your day-to-day thought and behavior patterns, and to determine whether they help you in achieving your goals, or obstruct your progress. You also need to remember that if something doesn’t work, trying harder won’t necessarily make it work. Be honest with yourself.

6. Align your creative solutions with your values and priorities. Don’t compromise that which is dear and important to you for short-term gain. You won’t regret it later. As a rule, we make compromise because of fear, but fear kills creativity.

How do creative solutions look like? There are several factors to look at:

- they are simple. They remove unnecessary complexities from our lives;
- they are flexible. As we embrace them, we don’t replace our former rigid patterns with the new ones;
- they are beautiful;
- they are the source of inspiration for you.

© 2009 by Andrei Yashurin