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Andy Eklund

Training for Business, Communications and Creativity

Want To Be More Creative?

4
  • by Andy Eklund
  • in Problem Solving
  • — 22 Oct, 2013

pencilsI love these eight strategies mapped out in How To Cultivate Creativity, by author Tom Kelley (co-founder of IDEO). Simple, spot-on and succinct.

Can I add one more?  9. Restrain your negativity. (or, Ask “Why not”?)

1. Choose creativity.

To be more creative, the first step is to decide you want to make something happen.

2. Think like a traveller.

Like a visitor to a foreign land, try turning fresh eyes on your surroundings, no matter how mundane or familiar. Don’t wait around for a spark to magically appear. Expose yourself to new ideas and experiences.

3. Engage relaxed attention.

Daydreaming has a bad rap. But new findings in neuro-psychology show that flashes of insight often come when your mind is relaxed and not focused on completing a specific task, allowing the mind to make new connections between seemingly unrelated ideas.

4. Empathise with your end user.

You come up with more innovative ideas when you better understand the needs and context of the people you are creating solutions for.

5. Do observations in the field.

If you observe others with the skills of anthropologists, you might discover new opportunities hidden in plain sight.

6. Ask questions, starting with “why?” 

A series of “why?” questions can brush past surface details and get to the heart of the matter. For example, if you ask someone why they are still using a fading technology (think landline phones), the answers might have more to do with psychology than practicality.

7. Reframe challenges.

Sometimes, the first step toward a great solution is to reframe the question. Starting from a different point of view can help you get to the essence of a problem.

8. Build a creative support network.

Creativity can flow more easily and be more fun when you have others to interact with and bounce ideas off.

Any other strategy you’d add?

Photo source: Colorfull

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Tags: IDEOTom Kelley

4 Comments

  1. Georgia says:
    22 October 2013 at 12:33 pm

    Great article Andy– all good suggestions— being an artist, I especially like the ‘reframing’ option! Please check out my new blog post on creativity and problem solving at http://www.passport2paint.com . I’d love to hear your thoughts!

    Reply
  2. Jim Clark says:
    22 October 2013 at 4:20 pm

    I’d add #10. (I’m also a bit surprised that Kelley didn’t add this to #6.) It’s always begin by asking the question “WHAT IF?” And then, add “WHY NOT?” or WHY? The WHAT IF question moves the mind into what might be instead of dwelling on what is.

    Reply
  3. Personalised Canvas says:
    19 December 2013 at 6:09 pm

    I am a handmade greeting cards maker and also I work as a part time designer in one of the interior design company. What I think is creativity is something which everyone has. We should get involved for something creative every week. Then we can improve and take out the creativity from our soul.

    Reply
    • Andy Eklund says:
      6 January 2014 at 8:21 pm

      I couldn’t agree more. Like any skill, creativity needs to be used often to be improved over time.

      Reply

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      • Understanding the Audience
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