10 Steps for Boosting Creativity
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
This article is the first piece I wrote about creativity for the web. It dates back to 1996 and has remained one of the most popular articles on this web site. I've learned a lot about creativity since writing it and I have made two minor changes over the years, but it is still relevant and, I trust, fun.
![]() Johann Sebastian Bach | 1. | Listen to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. If Bach doesn't make you more creative, you should probably see your doctor - or your brain surgeon if you are also troubled by headaches, hallucinations or strange urges in the middle of the night. | |||
2. |
Sleep. That's when your brain processes information and reorganises all the stuff kicking around in your head. When you wake up, you may surprised by the ideas that burst into your brain! |
3. |
Always carry a small notebook and a pen or pencil around with you. That way, if you are struck by an idea, you can quickly note it down. Upon rereading your notes, you may discover about 90% of your ideas are daft. Don't worry, that's normal. What's important are the 10% that are brilliant. |
4. |
If you're stuck for an idea, open a dictionary, randomly select a word and then try to formulate ideas incorporating this word. You'd be surprised how well this works. The concept is based on a simple but little known truth: freedom inhibits creativity. There are nothing like restrictions to get you thinking. |
5. |
Question your problem. Grab a sheet of paper, electronic notebook, computer or whatever you use to make notes, and question your problem in detail. You'll probably find ideas positively spewing out once you've done this. |
6. |
If you can't think, go for a walk. A change of atmosphere is good for you and gentle exercise helps shake up the brain cells. |
7. |
Don't watch TV. Experiments performed by the JPB Creative Laboratory show that watching TV causes your brain to slowly trickle out your ears and/or nose. It's not pretty, but it happens. |
8. |
Don't do drugs. People on drugs think they are creative. To everyone else, they seem like people on drugs. |
9. |
Read as much as you can about everything possible. Books exercise your brain, provide inspiration and fill you with information that allows you to make creative connections easily. |
10. |
Exercise your brain. Brains, like bodies, need exercise to keep fit. If you don't exercise your brain, it will get flabby and useless. Exercise your brain by reading a lot (see above), talking to clever people and disagreeing with people - arguing can be a terrific way to give your brain cells a workout. But note, arguing about politics or film directors is good for you; bickering over who should clean the dishes is not.
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Follow this link to see the poster and order yours!
For a more scientific explanation of creative ideas, check out this article..
By Jeffrey Baumgartner
© 1996-2016 creativejeffrey.com
Bangkok - Brussels
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