5 Science-Backed Ways To Boost Your Creativity

1. Exercise your creativity like a muscle

Research shows that when people try to think more creatively, they almost always can and those effects are both significant and repeatable. The idea is that the more you use your brain to do something, the stronger the connections between the cells involved become.

But the key to this is dedicating more time in your day to actively thinking, which usually means unplugging from email, social media and more. 

Try implementing this idea in your everyday routine by considering dedicating specific time in your day to thinking creatively and remind yourself to do so before any brainstorming session.

2. Change up your surroundings even minimally

Data support that creativity “nudges” can come from changes as small as a warmer cup of coffee or different colors in the room. Try switching out some of the items on your desk, orienting yourself differently or doing an overhaul of the bulletin board you sit facing.

Take advantage of opportunities to periodically work in different areas of the office, sit with new colleagues or invite people from different departments to lunch, making any possible adjustments could translate to a significant creativity boost.

The regular changes of physical and social surroundings are good for creativity.

3. Go out on a limb with what you learn

Research suggests that broadening your knowledge by way of unfamiliar topics fosters new ideas and divergent thinking. 

New ideas come from interconnections among old ideas. There’s a good chance it won’t be immediately apparent how what you’re learning could be useful in the future, but the pieces of knowledge you’re collecting should come together naturally when you’re faced with a certain challenge or brainstorming ideas later on. The more interesting and diverse the pieces, the more interesting the interconnections.

4. Pay attention to and record new ideas that come to you

When an idea or a small component of an idea comes to you, start making it a point to preserve it. Jot it down in a smartphone note or write it in a pocket-sized notebook you carry around.

Capture now, evaluate later. Capturing your new ideas is likely the most valuable aspect of boosting creativity.

5. Challenge yourself in new ways especially when it comes to overarching issues in your industry

Challenges act as a catalyst for us to think creatively and come up with simultaneous ideas or solutions.

You can stimulate yourself similarly at work by setting a time limit for a task or taking on an “ultimate challenge” in your industry. Think about the overarching issues and questions in your field (How do I end world hunger in one week? How can I invent a phone that doesn’t require a charger?) and practice brainstorming open-ended solutions.

Edited by: 浪子

Bibliography

Hayden Field. (2018). 5 Science-Backed Ways to Boost Your Creativity. Retrieved from 

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/311870