You Can Learn How to Think Creatively

by Jacci Howard Bear

We all have some level of creativity within us. As with other activities, you can teach yourself to be more creative. Sometimes creativity requires us to look at things from new perspectives. Learn to unleash your inventive genius by thinking backwards. Here is an appropriate acronym containing five steps to creative thinking -- S A E D I -- that's IDEAS backwards!

S - State of Mind.
Creativity is a state of mind. Telling yourself or others "I'm not very creative," or "I can never come up with new or clever ideas," destroys that state of mind. Creative thinking requires positive thinking.

For long-term creativity, read and study books on positive thinking. Some classic titles include Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking and Robert H. Schuller's Tough Times Never Last, Tough People Do.

If you have to come up with a clever new ad slogan or a new product name by next week, use some "quick fix" state-of-mind techniques. Get plenty of sleep. Relax your body and mind with deep breathing. Let your mind wander freely. Don't dwell on deadlines or other negative thoughts. Finally, don't forget to daydream; it can be a very effective tool.

A - Atmosphere.
All of our senses -- what we see, hear, feel, taste, and touch -- influence our state of mind. A positive atmosphere contributes to a positive and creative state of mind. Some people thrive in loud, people-filled areas with much activity. Others need quiet and calm to think clearly and creatively. Find that place, noisy or quiet, that makes you feel comfortable.

If you think best "on your feet," find a hallway, sidewalk, or park where you can walk. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

Set up your office or other room with a good chair, paintings, lighting, music, fresh flowers, and anything else that will help you relax.

Surround yourself with inspirational props. In coming up with a business name or an illustration idea or a hook for your next press release, you might use magazines, phone books, junk mail, cereal boxes, poetry, or crossword puzzles to generate ideas. Collect whatever materials inspire you -- that give you ideas. Even computer programs such as IdeaFisher can help you develop your natural creativity.

Besides what we see or hear, the scents, textures, and tastes experienced during our "thinking" time contribute to our creativity. Both good and bad smells can trigger the ideas we need. Trying to come up with a name for a new food product? Smell it, taste it, hold it in your hands. Get all your senses involved in the process.

E - Effective Thinking.
While positive thinking allows your mind to accept new ideas and creative thoughts, effective thinking involves directing your thoughts toward specific goals. Daydreaming, relaxation, and free association allow the mind to come up with new or unusual ideas or idea fragments. However, without a specific goal in mind, these thoughts and ideas may not be particularly useful. Gerald Kushel, Ed.D., is the author of several books, including Effective Thinking for Uncommon Success. In a 1991 interview for Bottom Line Personal newsletter, Dr. Kushel says that to be an effective thinker, you need to have goals and a commitment to those goals. He outlines four steps toward effective thinking:

• Take Notice. Take stock of where you are or what you are doing. Is it moving you toward your goal? Pause. Take a break when you get off-track.
• Identify Effective Thoughts. When a thought enters your head, identify it as effective or defective, positive or negative.
• Choose. We can choose our thoughts. It's the underlying premise of positive thinking. It's true of effective thinking and creative thinking, as well. Choose to focus on those thoughts that bring you closer to your goals.

Applied to creative thinking, effective thinking means clearly defining what creative challenge you need to meet. Do you want a new business name? Are you looking for an unmet need to turn into a business? Are you trying to come up with an exciting or unusual direct mail piece within a limited budget? Whatever the challenge, direct your thoughts and activities toward that goal. Gather materials that will help you accomplish your goal.

D - Determination.
Creativity takes practice. Your creativity is there within you, but you must make a habit of using your imagination. Although many of your best ideas will come when you "aren't really concentrating," you can make them happen more often by regularly practicing effective thinking techniques.

Even when not pondering a specific creative challenge, set aside a certain amount of time each day, week, or month to relax, brainstorm, and daydream. Make creative thinking a habit.

I - Ink.
Whether you use ink, pencil lead, crayon, or a computer, write down your ideas. We retain more of what we hear or see if we write it down. That applies equally to college lectures and our own brainstorming sessions. Get in the habit of making notes, outlines, sketches, or doodles. If you are actively pursuing a specific idea or problem, always have paper and pencil or recorder at the ready. Jot down or record all your thoughts, no matter how "off-the-wall."

Some of your best thoughts come just before falling asleep and just after waking. Keep a notebook at your bedside so you will always be ready to write down ideas whenever they come.

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Jacci Howard Bear Company: JBdesigns
desktoppub.guide@miningco.com
Ink Spot
Copyright 1995, 1996, 1997 JBdesigns and The INK Spot. Contact Jacci Howard Bear at inkspotmag@aol.com for permission to reprint (electronically or in print). Reprinted with permission.
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