Creativity is often misunderstood as being the exclusive domain of artists or creative professionals. It has been confused as having talent in technical skills such as the ability to draw or sing. However, creativity is simply ‘the ability to create’. It is the ability to come up with new ideas. It is possibility thinking.
Research shows that some people are inherently more creative than others. In the Big Five Personality Theory this is referred to as ‘Openness’. Openness refers to qualities such as openness to experience, curiosity, imagination and a desire to try new things.
That said, people who aren’t naturally high in openness can equally paint, write, draw and cultivate the inner skills of creativity – as mentioned before, the ability to paint, draw and sing are actually technical skills that you learn through committing time to improving them.
If you aren’t creative you may think “Yeah but, I don’t have any ideas for what to paint or write or draw”. Do not despair, you can cultivate more openness in many ways.
Working with Questions, in particular, is a helpful way to stimulate more openness. Asking: ‘What if..’ ‘Why this, not that?’, ‘What can I do that is different?’ ‘What am I not noticing?’ ‘What if I do the opposite of what I’ve been told to do?’ asks your brain to think outside the box. This is why facilitative coaching is so beneficial and why I see it as a collaborative artform in itself – it expands your possibilities through encouraging an openness to new experience and ideas.
Stream-of-conscious journalling through asking yourself open-ended questions is another way to stimulate creative thinking.
Cultivating the skills of creativity is highly beneficial not only to the individual but also to the community. Cultivating a deeper connection with the vital, creative parts of ourselves helps us to flourish, raise our individual standards of living and contribute positively to the community.
What do you think?
Do you agree or disagree that creative thinking can be enhanced?
What tips would you offer to help increase creativity?
Comment below and I’ll be sure to reply!