The document discusses how creativity can be developed in people. It argues that while some individuals may have innate creative personality traits, creativity is also shaped by many environmental factors. It suggests that creativity declines with age if not exercised, as people tend to conform more and consider fewer possibilities. However, creativity can be strengthened through practices like associating with diverse groups, relaxing the mind, and using creative thinking techniques regularly. Developing creativity requires ongoing effort but has no limits other than what we practice.

1. creative
a simple guide to getting more !
@wowatwork

2. “Companies and organisations are trying
to compete in a world of economic and
technological change that is moving faster
than ever. They urgently need people who
are creative, innovative and flexible. Too
often they can’t find them”
Sir Ken Robinson

3. There is a belief that creative
people just are. They are born
that way and they are destined to
be creative.

4. Creative individuals often have specific
personality traits such as independence and
openness to new experience. But, research
suggests lots of factors shape creativity.

5. People who think of themselves as creative
are more likely to be involved in creative
activities and seek out creative solutions to
problems.

6. As children we are all incredibly creative. We
don’t need to think that we are. We just are.
As we get older we develop a sense of self,
shaped by our interactions with the world
around us. In particular education.

7. If we are told we work best with numbers and
facts it is likely we will develop this aptitude,
rather than our capability for imagination and
self-expression.

8. The more we learn about creativity the more
we understand that creative potential is
something we all possess from childhood.
We just don’t all get the chance to develop it.

9. Do you rule out certain ways of thinking
because “it’s not me”?

10. What if you were a creative person?
What would you do?
What would you wear?
What would you listen to?
What would you read?
How would you approach problems?

11. Can you see things from a
different angle?

12. We are hard-wired to become less flexible in
our thinking. Our brain looks for rules and
patterns and makes assumptions. It creates
mental shortcuts to the things we use most.

13. To think creatively start by challenging your
default cognitive processing style. If you
habitually see the wood, start looking at the
trees.

14. We are at our most creative when we are
motivated by our own interests rather than by
external rewards. If we really care about
something we generally find it much easier to
be imaginative.

15. Imagine you’ve been given £10,000 to
organise a partaaaay for you and your
friends.

16. See what I mean?

17. Ever noticed how many good ideas you have
down the pub or lying in the bath? A positive
and relaxed state of mind is the most
conducive to producing great ideas.

18. Anger, frustration, fear, fatigue and stress
make creative thinking much more
challenging.

19. We have ten times as many sub-conscious
neurons as conscious ones. We are more
creative when we tap into our intuitive
resources to explore feelings, hunches and
insights.

20. People sometimes think if you know an area
well you will be “too close” to come up with
new ideas. In fact it is much harder to be
creative when you don’t know anything about
the subject.

21. The trick is to keep learning and looking for
fresh perspectives in your area of expertise.

22. Sticking with the same crowd limits our
exposure to novel approaches and
alternative thinking. Creative individuals and
creative communities are generally part of
wide and diverse network.

23. So get to know lots of people from different
backgrounds.

24. Most of us have an overwhelming need for
social acceptance, whether we admit it or not.
We avoid behaviour that will result in ridicule
or exclusion. We nearly all conform to the
norms of our social group.

25. It takes courage, independence and
determination to voice alternative views.
Show you support new ideas and creative
perspectives.

26. Brainstorms, thinking hats, bean bags, ball
games, chunking up and chunking down,
doodling, mind maps, role play, sticky notes,
co-creation, TRIZ, Synetics, reframing, brain-writing,
analogy, lotus blossom diagrams,
lateral thinking, NUF test, random links, force
field analysis, wishing, what if…

27. There are tons of techniques and processes
that can help creative thinking. Most are
readily available on-line. (But remember,
processes don’t create ideas, people do)

28. Personality, self-identity, cognitive thinking,
motivation, mood, what you know, who you
know, creative techniques and social
environment all affect how creative we can
be.

29. Ultimately, creativity is like any other ability - it
takes practice to develop our full potential.

30. You wouldn’t attempt to run a marathon if
you couldn’t run for the bus. You can’t expect
to be creative if your creative “muscles”
aren’t in good shape. Our ability to think and
behave creatively has to be developed and
exercised regularly.

31. If that makes creativity sound like hard work
then you are right. It takes effort to think
differently. It takes courage to say things that
are out of the ordinary.

33. But…the great thing about creativity is that
there is no failure - only learning. Being more
creative simply means engaging with the
world with playful curiosity.

34. The more you do that is a little different, that
takes you out of your comfort zone, the more
likely you are to find creative solutions.

35. Creative inspiration …
• Out of Our Minds: Ken Robinson
• The Creative Habit: Twyla Tharp
• Game Storming: Dave Gray, Sunni Brown & James Macanufo
• Improv Wisdom: Patricia Ryan Madson
• The A-Z of Visual Ideas: John Ingledew