Creative thinking is an essential skill that can help you in all areas of your life. By using your creativity, you can solve problems more efficiently, develop better relationships, and even reduce stress and anxiety.
While there is a common misconception that you’re either born creative or not, it is, in fact, a skill that can be trained.
So, what are the best ways to improve creative thinking? In today’s article, we will explore some of the best strategies you can try.
Engage in Creative Activities
One of the best ways to improve your creativity is to engage in creative activities. Take up a hobby that forces you to think outside the box, express yourself, and deal with unfamiliar situations. Don’t be afraid to engage in activities that you haven’t tried before. You might even discover a new passion.
If you’re not sure what you like, you can try different activities and see which one fits you best. The number of creative hobbies you can try is endless, and anything from painting to dancing or programming can take you out of your comfort zone.
Making time for these activities will not only help you exercise your creativity, but it will also help you relax. This is very important, as research shows that relaxation can actually make you more creative.
Search for Inspiration
Creative ideas rarely come out of nowhere. Usually, you need to see or hear something that triggers a brilliant idea. Therefore, it’s important to look for sources of inspiration when trying to improve your creative thinking.
Keep in mind that inspiration can come from anywhere—books, movies, music, nature, or even random things you see on the street.
To actively seek inspiration and improve your creative thinking, you should try to regularly consume new types of content. For example, you can try to watch movies or read books from different genres or different time periods. This will take you out of your comfort zone and provoke you to look at things from a different perspective.
Another great way to seek inspiration is by spending time with other creative people and brainstorming ideas together. Exploring the ways in which other people think can help you find solutions you would have never thought about on your own.
Explore Multiple Options
When you need to make a decision or find a solution, think about each possible option. This exercise will help you come up with creative solutions and choose the best outcome.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should always postpone making decisions or that you should second guess your choices. It only means that you should keep an open mind and explore different scenarios before making up your mind.
Daydreaming is also an efficient way to boost your creative thinking. In fact, research shows that allowing your mind to wander enhances creativity and helps us connect remotely associated ideas.
Collaborate with Others
While it’s possible to come up with innovative solutions and improve your creativity on your own, spending time with others can also be beneficial for enhancing this skill.
By exploring ideas with others and performing brainstorming sessions together, you get the chance to see how other people think and see things from perspectives that are completely different from your own. Doing this is beneficial for all people involved, as you get to learn from each other and boost each other’s creativity.
Another thing you can do is ask for feedback when you feel stuck or when you’re trying to come up with new ideas for your projects. Don’t be afraid to get feedback on your work. Even criticism can be extremely beneficial, as long as it comes from people you trust and respect.
Try Active Reading
Active reading is another great technique you can use to improve your creative thinking. This process consists in engaging with what you’re reading and taking notes for the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the text.
There are several things you can try throughout this process:
- Underline important information;
- Write down anything you find interesting, from quotes to ideas;
- Ask yourself questions about the text;
- Summarize important chapters or ideas;
- Take the time to reflect upon what you’re reading.
Books can significantly enhance your knowledge and creativity, and active reading is a great technique if you want to get the most out of the content you choose to consume.
Final Thoughts
Like any other skill, creative thinking can be improved through training. Therefore, if you think that you’re not a naturally creative person, don’t lose hope. Use the strategies above to boost this skill.
Also, if you are interested to discover more tips on how to improve your skills and transform your life, don’t forget to download the Beautiful You app for weekly inspiration.
