Barriers to Creativity #9: "To Err is Wrong"

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 #9: “To Err is Wrong”

From a practical standpoint, ‘to err is wrong’ makes sense. (Err means ‘be mistaken’ or ‘incorrect’; ‘make a mistake’). Nevertheless too attached to that belief may undermine our ability to generate new ideas. If we are more concerned with producing the right answers rather than original ideas, then we’ll by-pas the imaginative phrase of creative process. We need to test assumptions and challenge the rules. The creative thinker realizes the potential value of errors. They are stepping-stones to new ideas.

The history of discoveries is filled with people who used erroneous assumptions and failed ideas as stepping-stones to new ideas. A large part of creative thinking is not to be afraid to err. We learn from our mistakes.

           

To err is right, sometimes.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

*These 10 barriers to creativity are taken from creativity expert Roger Von Oech’s A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative book. Summaries mine. 

Barriers to Creativity #8: "Don't be Foolish"

This picture of Richard Branson play as AirAsia waitress really make me laugh!

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 #8: “Don’t Be Foolish”

Don’t be afraid to appear foolish. Granted that all of us are subject to group pressures but in creative situations we cannot simply follow the majority, for the majority is not always right. Furthermore new ideas are not formed in conforming environments. When in a group, people tend to get the approval of others rather than trying to come up with creative solutions or ideas. When everyone think alike, no one is doing much thinking. All we need to do is to agree.

To be creative we need to take a ‘poke’ at rules, regulations and conventions that keep us thinking the same old stuff. It will get us out of the rut and put our thinking to finding better solutions and ideas. If Christopher Columbus really believed that the world is flat, he would not have dared to attempt to sailing around the earth.

Occasionally play the fool and see what crazy ideas you may come up with. The crazy ideas, my friend, may prove to be winners!

           

Play the fool sometimes.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Barriers of Creativity #7: "Avoid Ambiguity"

Artistic ambiguous illusion design

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 #7: “Avoid Ambiguity”

Most of us do not like ambiguous (unclear or lack of clarity) situations. They are confusing and can cause communication problems. As a result we learn to avoid ambiguity (Personally, I am like that). This is a good rule to get your message clearly across. There are instances however, when ambiguity can be a powerful stimulus to imagination.

When in the creative process, a little ambiguity can provoke us into asking questions that will lead us to new ideas. We have to learn to look at things ambiguously. We ask questions such as “What does this mean?” and “How else can this be interpreted?” For example, the question, what is half of 8? The answer is of course 4. But if we assume the question is ambiguous, we will look for other answers such as 3 (if you slice vertically) or 0 (if you slice horizontally) depending on how we define “half.”

To be more creative we have to look for ambiguity in the world around us. I see a brick as a hammer and a ballpoint pen as a hole puncher when I need these things and there are none around.

Think ambiguously.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

Barriers to Creativity #6: "That's Not My Area"

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 #6: “That’s Not My Area”

            Today’s world is one of specialization. Specialists are held in high regard. As a strategy for creative thinking, however, specialization spells “danger” because it leads to the attitude that says “It’s not my area.” When this happens the person not only limits himself or herself to a small area, he or she may also stop looking for ideas in other fields. In creativity, cross-references and diversities are essential. We borrow from any field that can contribute to serves the purpose. We often hear people say, “That is an admin problem” or “I’m sorry, I can’t help you because that is not my area of specialization.”

            Ideas from one field can be used to make discoveries in another. In a brainstorming session, for example, the ideas generated would be much better and wider if the group compromises people from a variety of backgrounds rather than one in which all members are specialists in one particular are. Imagine the kind of ideas we can get if we put engineer, mechanical, business and psychology students together – Wow!

   

As far as creativity concern, be a generalist.

Lord, Give Us Today Our Daily Idea(s)

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)