After A Bet: 2.) Re-Conceptualize The Problem

Creativity
1.) Restrict yourself

One of the most famous examples is when Dr. Seuss produced
Green Eggs & Ham after a bet where he was challenged by his
editor to produce an entire book in under 50 different words.
Im no Dr. Seuss, but Ive found (and Im sure other writers can
relate) that when Im suddenly restricted to writing something in
500 words when I had planned to write it in 800 words, it can lead
to some pretty creative workarounds.
Try limiting your work in some way and you may see the benefits
of your brain coming up with creative solutions to finish a project
around the parameters youve set.
2.) Re-conceptualize the problem

One thing that researchers have noticed with especially creative
people is that they tend to re-conceptualize the problem more
often than their less creative counterparts.
That means, instead of thinking of a cut-and-dry end goal to
certain situations, they sit back and examine the problem in
different ways before beginning to work.
Heres a candid example as a writer who handles content
strategyfor startups, my cookie cutter end goal is something like
write popular articles. The problem is, if I approach an article
with the mindset of, What can I write that will get a lot of
tweets?, I wont come up with something very good.
However, if I step back and examine the problem from another
angle, such as: What sort of articles really resonate with people
and capture their interest?, Im focusing on a far better
fundamental part of the problem, and Ill achieve my other goals
by coming up with something more original.
So, if you find yourself stagnating by focusing on generic problems
(What would be something cool to paint?), try to reconceptualize the problem by focusing on a more meaningful angle
(What sort of painting evokes the feeling of loneliness that we all
encounter after a break-up?).
7.) Create during a powerful mood

For a long time, the research has pointed to happiness as being the
ideal state to create in.
Recently though, a relatively new study (2007) on creativity in the
workplace made this bold conclusion:
Creativity increased when both positive and negative

emotions were running high
the lead researcher concluded that
diversifying experiences help people break their

cognitive patterns and thus lead them to think more
flexibly and creatively.
How to Kill Creative

Thinking
1.) Role mismatch
The fact of the matter is that when people are assigned to
tasks/jobs/roles/creative projects that they have no
interest in or passion for, their creativity takes a hit.
This could correlate with otherresearch that shows
people are mosthappy when they feel they are busy, but
not rushed.
6.) No positive feedback

Many of us try to come off as humble, but lets be real honest, it
feels GREAT when something weve worked very hard on
generates a positive response or outcome.
According to Amabiles research, praise and positive feedback are
also very necessary for creative people, who thrive on having their
ideas impact the lives of others.
Without support, motivation and work ethic to get creative
projects done will wither away.
This can be hard for beginners especially, so if you come across a
creative project from a relative nobody, invest in your
entertainment by leaving them some positive feedback!
People who have participated in the creative stage are

likely to be more motivated to carry out the groups
decision.
3.) Creative people are both smart +

responsible and irresponsible + immature
There are numerous studies that show creativity positively
correlates with intelligence, but after a certain point, the
correlation dips off.
Conversely, some research conducted on creative geniuses has
shown that immaturity often goes hand-in-hand with creativity (as
you might be able to imagine).
The thing is, there is a very fine balance between this responsible +
irresponsible nature in very creative people
Without discipline, creative works cannot be achieved, and
creative people are known for long extended blocks of work (being
wrapped up in a project). Conversely, the immaturity shown in
many creative people likely goes hand-in-hand with their ability to
produce novel ideas.
5.) Creative people are a bit crazy

If this section felt too much like ego-stroking, well its time to
take creative people down a peg!
There has been a plethora of research that shows creative people
are a tad crazy and kind of mean.
For instance, many studies show that creative people are better
liars than their peers, and other research has shown that creative
people were:
More likely to cheat on a game in the lab
Better at justifying their dishonesty afterwards

and get this: Creativity was more closely associated
with dishonestythan intelligence! (Remember how I said that
creativity only coincides with intelligence up to a certain point?)
Other research has shown that creative thinking is unusually high
in criminals and lawbreakers.
Most troubling (and direct) of all, a few studies have found
that creative people score higher on psychoticism, which includes
traits like less empathy, being cold, and egocentricity.
Worse yet, the advantage that creative people have (discussed
above) in having lower levels of latent inhibition may open them
up for a variety of mental illnesses.

After A Bet: 2.) Re-Conceptualize The Problem

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

After A Bet: 2.) Re-Conceptualize The Problem

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

After A Bet: 2.) Re-Conceptualize The Problem

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Creativity

1.) Restrict yourself

2.) Re-conceptualize the problem

7.) Create during a powerful mood

Creativity increased when both positive and negative

the lead researcher concluded that

diversifying experiences help people break their

How to Kill Creative

6.) No positive feedback

People who have participated in the creative stage are

3.) Creative people are both smart +

5.) Creative people are a bit crazy

More likely to cheat on a game in the lab

Better at justifying their dishonesty afterwards

You might also like