We all are used to considering the thinking process as something analytical, logical, focused and, in a way, difficult. That’s how we were taught to think at school (and it’s true when we are talking about problem-solving, for example), but when we grow up, we forget about our natural creativity.
Do you remember yourself as a child? Do you remember how candy wrappers could be even more valuable than money, or that pillows could be more convenient for fighting than sleeping? We could invent a gripping adventure having only a stick and dad’s compass and be truly satisfied with our ideas.
We weren’t afraid to look silly, to be laughed at, to be told that some objects are supposed to be used in a different way. Everyone was creative then, but not everyone has become an artist, a musician, an author or a fashion designer because creative thinking has nothing to do with painting a portrait or composing a symphony.
Creativity is the ability to invent or imagine something new. That’s why creative thinking is the process we use for generating ideas by changing or combining existing ones. Some creative ideas can become life-saving and brilliant, while others can just be useful and simple ideas that haven’t been developed yet.
As you already know, you don’t need to create a masterpiece to start thinking creatively. All you need is to:
First of all, you should remember that acquiring this skill isn’t as easy as it may seem, because it requires self-motivation and hard work. It is often very hard to change our mind and think differently, as we have our point of view and tend to adhere to it.
Some barriers prevent us from thinking creatively, and overcoming them is the most important step you can make towards becoming a creative person, for example:
Generating ideas is an integral part of personal and professional life. Creative thinkers are constant learners who are curious about everything around them; they seek the challenges; they are willing to improve even the best decisions they’ve made; they are not afraid of strange and weird ideas; they are optimistic about even the worst solution, trying to find something good and useful in it; they see problems as interesting challenges; and they don’t give up easily but continue working hard and persistently.
In the modern world, employers are looking for candidates with various skills, and creative thinking occupies one of the leading places in the list of required skills.
"Capital isn't so important in business. Experience isn't so important. You can get both these things,” said Harvey Firestone, an American businessman. “What is important is ideas. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn't any limit to what you can do with your business and your life."
In the work world, creative thinking is applied in different ways. Here are some examples: creating an exam to test students’ knowledge; designing a logo; finding ways to cut costs of the company during budget crisis; suggesting ways to improve customer service; proposing a new look for production; creating unusual interview questions; redesigning machinery to enhance productivity, and so on.
So being a creative thinker means being a valuable worker, and being a valuable worker during the time of constant changes means a lot, doesn’t it? Your future is in your hands; put away your fears, there is nothing to be afraid of, and start improving yourself.
Y Skills Institute is a mine of information, and using it will maintain your endless curiosity and help your mind be open to the wonderful challenges of the new era.