All of us are imaginative as kids. But as adults, when we wrestle with issues that demand innovation, it can feel like that spark of creativity has disappeared.
I’ve studied creativity for over 40 years as an educator, writer and consultant. I’ve written over 180 books, including two about how to navigate the obstacles that can make creative thinking more difficult.
I’ve found that there are some common phrases we use in casual conversations, meetings and even with our family and friends that stifle our potential. We often don’t realize we’re using them.
If you catch yourself saying one of these four phrases, here’s what to do instead to jump-start your brain.
1. ‘I’m not very creative’
So much of our education, particularly in grade school, is focused on getting the “right” answers to single-minded questions like, “What is the chemical symbol for salt?” or “Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?” These are called convergent questions.
Divergent questions have a wider range of possible answers and generally aren’t taught in this context
As adults, when faced with situations that may have many valid responses, we can shut down because for so long, we weren’t encouraged to think more expansively.
Do this instead: The next time you are struggling with a project or a problem, start by asking more divergent questions. Rather leading with “what’s the one solution to this challenge,” try “What are some different ways I could look at this?” or “What are several ways to solve this problem?”
This will take some pressure off of you, and give you more freedom to explore. If you are running into a creative block, this is a useful way to help fill that well.
2. ‘It can’t be done.’
If something new and unusual appears in front of us, we have a tendency to view it as harmful or scary. This is often our brain’s default position. As a result, we either protect ourselves or flee.
This instinct once helped early humans survive uncertainty. Now, it can work against us because our brains see new ideas as risky and try to silence them.
Do this instead: If you’re stuck, this is a simple exercise that can refresh your mind.
Think about a basic item and come up with different uses for it. For example, what are some alternate uses for socks? They could be used as golf club covers, hand warmers, painting supplies, or a bag. For the next 10 minutes, try this with a few different household items.
Now go back to your project and see how far you get. When you break away from logical thinking and a “it can’t be done” mindset, it helps you open you up to new possibilities. By starting small, you can work up to those bigger and potentially scarier ideas.
3. ‘I’ve always done it this way.’
So many people are locked into a fixed mindset. They struggle to embrace change because it intimidates them.
Their thinking is, why venture into the unknown when the known is very comfortable just as it is?
Do this instead: One of the best ways to deal with this issue is to constantly embrace new experiences. Read books outside your training or education, travel to places you’ve never visited, explore new cultures, eat different foods, or listen to varying genres of music.
“Same old, same old” is safe, but seldom leads to new perspectives.
4. ‘What will people think?’
Many people believe that creative ideas require validation. But looking for the endorsement and approval of others severely limits our creative spirit because the emphasis is placed more on acceptance, rather than on generating ideas.
Giving ourselves the freedom to express new ideas, regardless of criticism or recognition, is a critical step in a more creative life.
Do this instead: Creativity is sustained by a constant generation of open-ended inquiries. The image that always comes to mind for me is a child sitting down to do a finger painting. They will joyfully ask questions like “What if I put a purple circle here?” and “What if I draw a squiggly yellow line over there?”
This approach alerts kids to the power of their own minds without caring what anyone else thinks. If you want to feel creatively refreshed, channel your own inner child and start regularly asking “What if?”
Anthony D. Fredericks, Ed.D., is professor emeritus of education at York College of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Psychology Today’s “Creative Insights” blog. He has written over 180 nonfiction books including “Two-Minute Habits: Small Habits, Dynamic Creativity.” His latest book is “The Healing Wisdom of the Forest: Timeless Lessons of Renewal, Tranquility, and Joy.”
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