Cultivating Creativity

Many of us are creative in our daily lives, in ways that impac us and those around us. Occasionally, someone makes a discovery or creates a work of art that changes our culture. Children from about age 4 to 7 are usually at a developmental stage where they are bursting with creativity. What makes some of us more creative than others?

All human brains are very much alike. However, some of us choose to use our resources, such as free time, in more creative ways. How your creativity manifests itself is based on your personality and life experience, your knowledge, the environment you work and play in, and your culture. You can influence or change these variables to increase yourcreativity. Everyone has creative potential. The following are suggestions for developing creativity in your life.

 a. Read - read anything that sparks your interest. If you have access to a library, use it. There are books on practically every topic you can imagine.

b.  Become more curious - look at the world around you with an open mind. Have you ever closely examined the leaves on a tree? Or taken apart on old radio or clock?

c.  Try something new - often people assume that they could never participate in certain activities - "I could never do that!" If you think you can't draw, but haven't tried since you were 10, or have never been taught how to draw, how do you really know?

d.  Change your personal space - make your home, or room, or car, an expression of yourself. If you feel comfortable and happy with your surroundings, you are more apt to be creative

e.  Pay attention to your emotions - What makes you happy, sad, excited?

f.   Make time to be creative, and vigilantly guard this time. Examine your daily routines to see if you can simplify or do away with anything to make more time for creativity. Often, simplifying routines is a creative act itself.           

At Work

If you are trying to find solutions to a problem, define the problem on paper. This will make it clearer in your mind, and often this alone will bring to mind solutions.

Think of an opposite or really far-out solution to a problem, or turn the problem around: No one is paying attention to what I tell them vs. I'm not paying attention to what I say (I'm not communicating effectively).           

Don't assume you know the best solution. Consider all types of solutions before settling on one.

Be willing to change your strategy along the way. New information or circumstances often require a change in plans. Flexibility is key to creativity.

For Children

Have all kinds of materials for creative play available - drawing and painting supplies, old clothes for dress-up, clay, blocks or other construction toys, etc.

Read to children, and encourage them to read. Take them to the library. Ask them questions about what they are reading.           

Use different materials for old activities. For example, spray shaving cream on a window or table and let them finger paint in it. Let them use blankets, chairs and boxes to make forts. Encourage them to figure things out for themselves.           

Be supportive of their ideas or creations - don't criticize or tell them how something "should" look.