Barriers to Creativity #5: "Play is Frivolous"

Creativity, like common sense, is supposed to be common. Creativity is natural and spontaneous. Yet it is not exhibited as frequently as it should. Experts believe that there are several reasons for this. These reasons are called ‘Barriers to Creativity’. ‘Barriers’ are the thing that stop us from thinking creatively and the reason that make us not as creative as we should be.

Barrier #5: “Play is Frivolous”

            A playful attitude is fundamental to creative thinking. We generate most of our ideas when we are playing in our mental playground. That is because our defenses are down, our mental locks are opened and there is little concern with rules and regulations. Play also free us from worry which is the root cause of our mental block. Unlike reality, during play – when we win we win, and when we lose we learn. (The only cost is time). Children know play is a good way to learn. Children love to play at cooking and driving. Just watch a kid playing in the school bus or at the computer. They try everything!

            We germinate ideas during play. We toy with an idea before we come up with the real product or process. Some of the most important inventions were originally conceived during play. How to nurture your creativity? Play. Play. Play.

   

Play is fine.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Barriers of Creativity #4: "Be Practical"

Creativity, like common sense, is supposed to be common. Creativity is natural and spontaneous. Yet it is not exhibited as frequently as it should. Experts believe that there are several reasons for this. These reasons are called ‘Barriers to Creativity’. ‘Barriers’ are the thing that stop us from thinking creatively and the reason that make us not as creative as we should be.

Barrier #4: “Be Practical”

            Remember when you suggest something and someone says it’s impractical? Kills your enthusiasm doesn’t it? Unlike any other God’s creations, human beings possess imagination. Our thinking is not limited to the real and present. We can imagine – and imagination is the first step in creative thinking.

            But the problem here is too many people always think of the practicality of things. “Your ideas”, they say, “must be practical.” And practical is what they know until then. We haven’t even tried the idea yet to see whether it works and it is already shot down. Frustrating. But creative people are perseverance and stubborn. They do not give up easily. For them, there is a place for practicality and there is a place for possibility. Remember Mr. Thomas E. Edison? He failed almost a thousand times before he finally invented the incandescent light bulb that evolves into the many type of lights that we’re using now.    

Cultivate your imagination.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Barriers of Creativity #3: "Follow the Rules"

Creativity, like common sense, is supposed to be common. Creativity is natural and spontaneous. Yet it is not exhibited as frequently as it should. Experts believe that there are several reasons for this. These reasons are called ‘Barriers to Creativity’. ‘Barriers’ are the thing that stop us from thinking creatively and the reason that make us not as creative as we should be.

Barrier #3: “Follow the Rules”

            There is a lot of pressure in our culture to follow the rules. ‘Do not try to be different’; ‘Do what everybody else does’; ‘Uniformity and compliance to rules make society work’; ‘Let’s do things the way they have always been done’; ‘It makes sense’; ‘Do not rock the boat’ etc.

            For creative thinking there is no virtue in doing things the way they have always been done. Creativity means doing things in new and better ways. If we keep doing things the same way we will never improve. Following the rules is a mental block, for we will always think of things as they are not as it can be. Tradition kills creativity. Challenging the rules (there is a limit however. As a Christian, I will not intentionally challenge God's Commandments) is a good creative thinking strategy. Ask these questions: Is this the only way? Is this the best way? Are there better ways?

Challenge the rules.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Barriers to Creativity #2: "That's Not Logical"

Creativity, like common sense, is supposed to be common. Creativity is natural and spontaneous. Yet it is not exhibited as frequently as it should. Experts believe that there are several reasons for this. These reasons are called ‘Barriers to Creativity’. ‘Barriers’ are the thing that stop us from thinking creatively and the reason that make us not as creative as we should be.

Barrier #2: “That’s Not Logical”

            Logic commands that things must be consistent and non-contradictory. While this principle must be followed faithfully in science and certain fields, in creative thinking situations, this rule need not necessarily apply. Imagination is required in problem-solving. Overemphasis on logical thinking inhibits and stagnant our thinking. If everything must be practical and correct, we leave no room for ambiguity and imagination. Furthermore we also do not give room to intuitive hunches. Intuition may have no apparent logical reason but they do help in many problem-solving situations. Sometimes we have to listen to our sixth sense or gut feelings. Logic is good when we are evaluating ideas but during stage of searching for ideas it short circuits the creative process.

Do not depend on logic alone.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Barriers to Creativity #1: "The Right Answer"

Creativity, like common sense, is supposed to be common. Creativity is natural and spontaneous. Yet it is not exhibited as frequently as it should. Experts believe that there are several reasons for this. These reasons are called ‘Barriers to Creativity’. ‘Barriers’ are the thing that stop us from thinking creatively and the reason that make us not as creative as we should be.

Barrier #1: “The Right Answer.”

Much of our education is geared towards finding the right answer. While it may be true for certain subjects such as mathematics, in many other areas there is no one right answer. There is no such things as the most successful business man, the best fried chickens or the most effective form of exercise and diet. It depends on what the criterion is or what context we are talking about. Life for example is ambiguous. There are many right answers. It depends on what we want and what we look for. The problem with us is that we think there is only one right answer, and we stop looking as soon as we think we have found one. Hence the death of creativity.

Always look for second (or third) right answer.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)