Creativity is one of the most underrated yet incredible traits that a person can possess. This is one of the few talents that, while it can be improved to some extent, appears to be inherent in some individuals while absent entirely within most.
Many of the most successful people throughout the course of history have risen the ranks in their respected fields due to a knack for going outside of the box and using creative thinking to resolve an issue or problem.
In much the same way that creativity avoids using one approach to solve an issue, the way in which this trait manifests itself in people is equally as diverse. We are all familiar with forms of creativity that result in well-known pieces of music or works of art.
Make no mistake, however, just because they may lack the generational beauty of a treasured sculpture, some of the inner workings of the most life changing technology available today was born in the brain of a creative individual.
Fortunately for those of us lacking Michelangelo-like artistic creativity, creative thinking is a form of this inherent trait that is actually attainable through effort. The purpose of this discussion will be to outline a few ways to utilize creative thinking in your own life in an attempt to solve perplexing issues.
Different Outcomes Require Different Methods
While we often fail to realize it, many of us spend an enormous amount of time making the exact same mistake, or a very similar one, repeatedly. This leads to anger and frustration to the point that a lot of people give up on the thing all together. However, when we really stop and think about whatever this mistake is in our own lives, the issue is that we are usually taking the same path every single time.
If you want to resolve a problem that has seemingly stumped you over and over again, you had better stop trying to conquer it the same way. The truth is, it is better to fail, but fail differently, than continue to repeat a perpetual cycle. If you want something you have never had, you have got to do something you have never done.
There Is No Cookie Cutter Solution
Although the majority of the people in your life will tell you otherwise, there are very, very few things in life that can only be done one way. All too often, we get into the habit of using the same method to address the same obstacle.
When using this logic on something simple, such as opening a jar, the process is usually successful time and time again. However, when faced with more challenging issues that other people have unsuccessfully attempted to tackle, it is important to avoid taking the general opinion as gospel.
There will be times in your life where a new problem will require you to come up with a novel solution. When those around you are all using the same tools and consistently failing, the same tool will probably not work for you either. Try something different.
Be Confident Enough To Do Something Abnormal
You can have all the creative thinking ability in the world, but if you are too scared to act on any of your ideas for fear of standing out from the crowd, it won’t do you a whole lot of good.
The fear of being criticized by other people has clipped the wings of many incredible ideas before they could even take flight. Human nature tells us to avoid things that are different and new, creative thinking is a prime example.