The real magic of discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes
~MARCEL PROUST~

Nothing is ever new under the sun.
This means there is practically almost no skill, knowledge, result or formula that hasn’t being before now.

This brings a great measure of relief to an incredible number of people, that, you do not have to conjure new things up in the air to be considered creative.

In honor of our promise to publish practical, time tested and well researched contents on GCB, this post is aimed at demystyfying all the elements that sum up creativity, in order to become practical solution providers.

To create is always to do something new.
~MARTIN LUTHER~

Creativity is the ability to create. Can every man create?
Yes.

We were made a Creator; and also in His image. This means every man has an innate ability to create a thing.

However on earth, we cannot make anything out of nothing. Every man starts with all there is, i.e. the potential elements, constituents and materials which are all present in the universe.

THE DYNAMICS OF CREATIVITY
Creativity is the faculty of the mind and spirit that enables us to bring into existence, ostensibly out of nothing, something of use, order, beauty or significance.

Creativity is more a thing of the mind, than the available elements.

The creative mind sees possibilities or connections that are normally invisible to the normal mind.

The task of a creative mind is to combine ideas and elements that already exists.

It is the function of creative people to perceive the relations between thoughts, or things or forms of expression that may seem utterly different, and to combine them into some new forms – the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.
~ WILLIAM PLOMER ~

Creative imaginations must have something to work on. The people considered most original are those who adopt from many sources.

Everything has been thought of before, but the problem is to think of it again.
~GOETHE~

EXERCISE 1
Try to picture a man you saw a couple of times today. He probably wore a shirt and a trouser, but can you remember the color of his belt and shoes? Was a mobile phone in his hands? Can you make a sketch on paper?

Creativity thrives on imagination. We tend to assimilate the strange or unfamiliar things we see comparing it consciously or unconsciously to what is familiar to us.

EXERCISE 2
If I asked you as a man to think up a “new” haircut or as a lady, a “new” hairstyle, naturally, you will discover that your creative answer would be gotten first, reflecting on the usual and common options you are aware of.
Then, you will attempt to make a new one exploring more style options and mixing them together.

Since we’ve established how creativity works, the secret to being creative is to become aware of the new within the old. Making familiar events and occurrences appear strange, helps you to become more observant of the elements that causes it to happen.

Large portion of truth arises from seemingly irrelevant facts.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CREATIVE THINKERS

• Creative thinkers value ideas.

Creativity is about having lots of ideas. You will have ideas only if you value them.

• Creative thinkers explore options.

Exploring a multitude of possibilities help to stimulate the imagination, and imagination is crucial to creativity.

Options provide the key to finding the best answer; not the only answer. Good thinkers come up with the best answers.

They create back up plans that provide them with alternatives.

• Creative thinkers embrace ambiguity.

Creative thinkers have a higher threshold of tolerance to uncertainty, complexity and apparent disorder than others. Otherwise, they will end up settling for less.

• Creative thinkers connect the unconnected.

Whilst utilizing the ideas of others, there’s great value in being able to connect to another.

Think – Collect – Create – Collect – Connect.

• Creative thinkers don’t fear failure.
• Creative thinkers challenge status quo.

KEY ENHANCERS OF CREATIVITY

Observation is a skill. We actually do not learn from experiences, but observation. Observation of the roles played in action is what gives our experience meaning.

The art of observation is not complete untilyou have recorded what you have seen, there committing it to memory.

Having an open mind does not guarantee that you will buy into the idea; but it reveals that you are genuinely interested in new ideas. You will buy into the ideas if the price is right.

A good listener draws the best out of the talker.

You listen for ideas, not stories.

Give every man your ears, but few your voice.
~WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE~

Reading gives you something and also the freedom to imagine.

A good writer’s task is not to spell everything out. His task is to encourage his readers to contribute his or her own reflections and imagery. The power of a good book is the intimate relationship between the author and the reader.

Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge. It is thinking that makes what we read ours.

~JOHN LOCKE~

The labor of copying out ideas give you time to reflect on them.

Decide what is worth keeping and write them down. Browse through notebooks when your mind is fresh and unencumbered with daily activities. It should be done intentionally.

HOW TO BECOME MORE CREATIVE

I believe there is a measure of creativity in every man, as we were created in that image. All that is needed is deploying what is within.

• Remove creative killers

  Quit saying things like:

• Think creatively asking the right questions.

To think creatively, you must ask good questions. You must challenge the process.

The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a creative mind to spot wrong questions.

~ANTHONY JAY~

• Develop a creative environment

Creativity needs to begin somewhere.
Creative thinking leads you to new ideas. A new idea is delicate. Creativity includes bringing it into existence.

The freedom you give yourself to make mistakes is the best nvironment for creativity.

• Spend time with other creative people.

Creativity is contagious. The interplay of ideas can be electric. Spending time with creative people makes you feel energized.

You begin to think like the people you spend a lot of time with.

• Get out of your box.

Although many rules are in place to support us, it is unwise to allow self impposed limitations to be an hindrance.

The most effective way to help yourself get out of the box is to expose yourself to new paradigms traveling to new places, exploring cultures, countries and traditions.

Also, broaden your thinking reading new subjects.

Think creatively about your life. it changes your perspective. Your life isn’t figured out completely. As you begin to think, more ideas come to you.

THE SPIRITUAL COMPONENT

When you received God’s DNA in your spirit, embedded within were multifaceted solutions to multiple problems. It is resident in a place called the subconscious mind.

However, the transfer of these ideas to the conscious mind in order to relieve them has been a problem for many believers.

When you realize that all you might ever need is within you (Christ the hope of glory), you would need to let Him out deploying Him to the world. It is easier to relieve an experience you believe you already have.
Creative thinking requires sustained action, but not necessarily conscious attention. Sometimes, drift, wait and listen. Listen to the Spirit of God within who has all the answers.
Knowing when to turn away from a problem and leaving it for a while is an essential skill in the art of creativity.

It is the heart always that sees, before the head can see.
~THOMAS CARLYLE~

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING.

• THINKING FOR A CHANGE BY JOHN MAXWELL
• THE ART OF CREATIVITY BY JOHN ADAIR

Thank you for reading through today. I hope this helped you?
I love you!