Unleash the original thinker within

Opportunities and possibilities for innovation are all around us and businesses worldwide are striving to capture the market with a new product, an innovation or a unique solution to a pre-existing problem. Today, creativity and innovation are assets in all professions as consumers constantly desire new products. To quote Albert Einstein: “We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.” As the rapid growth of technology solves and creates new problems the requirement in the workplace is for professionals who can bring fresh perspective to problems and think of novel solutions. Here are some ways you can encourage your own creativity to blossom:

1. Playful learning: Very often while learning we are encouraged to accept concepts as absolute truths. As if they are not open for query? But in reality the entire universe is evolving and so is the knowledge within it. A fun way of developing your creativity is to play games like “Just imagine if …” or ask questions like “What if …?” When you learn to playfully challenge old knowledge you are gradually training your mind to create multiple solutions to the same problem and to form novel connections between pre-existing pieces of information.

2. Imagine being rich and abundant: Sometimes, when we are trying to think of new solutions, we limit ourselves by the availability of current resources and shoot down ideas which require additional assets. This is a classic way of limiting our own minds and the solutions we provide. At the brainstorming stage of the project let your mind be loose and free. Write down all the probable solutions without limiting yourself by the practicality of the solution. Once all the ideas are jotted down you could then go back and see what resources are required. This complete free-style of thinking will again encourage you to develop the habit of opening your mind to all possibilities.

Read the full article by subscribing to the print magazine or the digital edition.