How to be Innovative, Creative and solve Problems
- Gurvinder Singh
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Our minds function in fascinating and abstract ways; thus, creativity and innovation cannot result from the usual step-by-step sequence of effort.
Ideas emerge only under certain circumstances.
The essential ingredients
A curious nature, more curious the better.
A genuine seeker.
An open mind
A plan of action
The process.
Our challenges, problems, desires and concerns lie in our conscious mind.
Our values, beliefs, hopes, fears, and aspirations reside in the subconscious. It is here that all our learning and experiences are stored.
Creativity, innovation and finding meaningful solutions to our problems occur when the intelligence in the Subconscious rises to pair with the challenges nagging the Conscious mind.
The subconscious is the shy yet deep part of our being.
Silence and reflection are key for ideas and thoughts to rise from the subconscious to the surface and our seeking conscious mind, where we can grasp them. Thus generating answers, solutions, ideas and a fresh stream of thoughts.
Some people get their ideas in the shower, others during a walk, in the park, while gardening, driving, etc. It is always when one is alone.
The trigger.
Almost anything can be a trigger and come from any number of sources. Something we may have read, heard or observed, an article, a quote, a graphic, or an experience with people or situations.
Bang! Then a connection is made.
The capture
When they first bubble, thoughts and ideas are somewhat fuzzy and disconnected.
It's helpful to make notes not during but immediately after the bubbling up of thoughts.
Making notes during the emerging stage disrupts the flow of thoughts and
can extinguish the sparks.
Unlike all other work, creativity cannot be achieved merely by more effort.
Creativity is somewhat like farming.
Constantly prepare the soil with learning, experiences and an open mind. Fertilise it constantly with wonder. Then, when desired, seed it with questions, challenges and wait.
When the atmosphere is conducive, shoots of ideas will emerge. Treat all thoughts and ideas that emerge alike, as guests. Receive them gracefully without judgment, neither embracing nor rejecting them. Respectfully, simply make a note of them all.
After a while, the thoughts will crystallise into good ideas and solutions.
There are universal truths, 'just as the thirsty seeks the water, water too seeks the thirsty.' Similarly, 'Whatever we seek, is also seeking us.'
Transmission and Implementation
We all get ideas and thoughts from time to time.
Often, a great idea or solution does not succeed because of several possibilities, such as
The idea is not fleshed out properly.
People hate change, and it is not uncommon for stakeholders to resist. Failure to convince or tackle them effectively can stump an idea.
Improper timing of presentation of the idea.
Inappropriate forum/platform for expression of the idea.
Poor implementation.
To summarise. We are all born curious and to be creative; the challenge is remaining creative as we grow up and become part of a family, an organisation, or society at large. One need not be disheartened; we never lose our creativity, we allow it to be voluntarily or involuntarily suppressed. We can all be creative, innovative and capable of effectively solving problems if we choose to.
Interesting Links:
Creativity in Management ~ delivered by John Cleese
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Ref: G0986
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