Unlocking Creativity: 7 Proven Techniques to Enhance Your Creative Thinking and Boost Originality

Boost your creative thinking with these 7 strategies, inspired by Adam Grant's "Originals." Learn to generate a wealth of ideas, embrace failure, and challenge norms. Ideal for aspiring writers, musicians, artists, and innovators aiming to unlock their creative potential

Unlocking Creativity: 7 Proven Techniques to Enhance Your Creative Thinking and Boost Originality

Being creative is not always about a sudden burst of ideas, or a creative big bang, but rather creativity is about sweat equity. How do I pen a bestselling novel? Compose a Grammy-winning melody? Or create an art piece that leaves a timeless mark? The answer lies not in waiting for inspiration, but in actively seeking it.

Let's ignite your exploration of creativity by diving headfirst into the insightful world of Adam Grant. In his groundbreaking book, "Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World," Grant states, "The hallmark of originality is rejecting the default and exploring whether a better option exists." Such a perspective fuels the essence of our journey into unlocking our creative potential.

One key point that Grant makes about generating ideas is the importance of volume. According to his research, original thinkers, innovators, and creators come up with a lot of ideas, not just a few perfect ones. They generate many possibilities, knowing that not all of them will be successful or even viable. This aligns with the common saying in creativity research: "To have a great idea, have a lot of them."

Grant uses the example of great composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach, pointing out that these prolific artists didn't just create a few masterpieces, but hundreds of works, not all of which were successful or are remembered today.

He encourages readers to generate a lot of ideas, take risks, and be open to failure, which all can lead to original and innovative solutions. This is a process of trial and error, and it requires resilience and a willingness to learn from the mistakes you make along the way.

How do you boost your creative thinking? Start with these 7 techniques:

1. Broaden Your Knowledge Base: Read widely, explore new disciplines, and strive to be a polymath. Creativity often stems from the intersection of diverse fields of knowledge.

2. Practice Idea Brainstorming: Don't censor your thoughts. Write down all ideas as they come, even the silly ones. This is a fantastic way to expand your ideation process and push boundaries.

3.  Embrace Failure: Remember what Grant said in "Originals", "The greatest originals are the ones who fail the most, because they're the ones who try the most." Don't fear failure; rather, use it as a steppingstone to refine your ideas.

4.  Challenge Assumptions: Question the status quo. Break free from conventional wisdom and look for novel ways to approach problems.

5. Create “Thinking Time”: Dedicate a specific time each day for free thinking, brainstorming, and daydreaming. Giving your mind this freedom often leads to the most creative ideas.

6. Seek Feedback: Share your ideas with others, particularly those who think differently from you. They can provide a fresh perspective, sparking new ideas and will help to refine existing ones

7. Encourage Diversity: Surround yourself with people from different backgrounds and experiences. This diverse input can enhance creativity by providing a range of perspectives and ideas.

As you journey towards enhancing your creativity, bear in mind another principle from "Originals": "Argue like you're right and listen like you're wrong." This mindset encourages both belief in your ideas and openness to feedback, a combination that fosters creative originality.

Weekly Growth Tip:

Songwriting, for me, is an extension of my enduring love for poetry. My journey with verses began when I was just around 12 years old and has carried on in my adult life. I may not have been an extraordinary poet, but I took pleasure in it, and that was enough to keep me going. After penning down scores of poems, I ventured into writing lyrics for songs. My initial attempts were far from perfect, but like any creative endeavor, songwriting is a process, not a one-off event.

In 2008, after numerous iterations and revisions, I wrote my first complete song. That was a defining moment that bolstered my commitment to songwriting. Since then, I've crafted over 50 songs, some of which I believe are relatively good and some are bad.

So, here's what I want to convey: If there's something you truly enjoy and wish to excel at, dedicate some time to it every day, even if it's just a few moments. Over time, your skills will evolve, and you'll become better at it. If you're dreaming of writing a novel, be prepared to draft some mediocre chapters before you refine your narrative voice. If painting is your calling, accept that you'll need to produce some less-than-stellar art pieces. No matter what your creative pursuit is, the key is to start. Revel in the creative process, persist, because who knows? One day, you might just create a masterpiece.

I hope this helps!

If you would like to check out one of the songs that I’ve written, you can do so through the link below.

The Story of the Song, Coffee, and Sunshine:

Let me introduce you to a remarkable individual, Lee Roy Box, my grandfather, whose story is pivotal in my own history. You see, I come from a long line of “box” makers from England, hence my given name; Box, however the skill was lost on me.

My grandfather was a carpenter and farmer, from Central Louisiana and his story is a testament to the diligence and work ethic he embodied.

Under the scorching sun, he labored day in, day out, savoring black coffee from his thermos and puffing on Prince Albert tobacco. His face, weathered and lined, displayed tales untold, a canvas of experiences, and a life of stories unfold that makeup the fabric of who I am.

This heartfelt melody is a homage to those who toil, outdoors, with their hands, and never recoil. Crafting and building, their dedication shines through this song which is dedicated to each one of you. Enjoy!

Coffee and Sunshine by Kevin Box/Rumble.com