CBS News recently conducted a poll on what Americans think about creativity as part of its “Where America Stands” series, a series that is taking a look at the various issues facing the U.S. in the new decade.
The poll revealed that of the 1,048 randomly chosen adults surveyed nationwide, 43% of them think Americans are more creative today in the arts and technology than they were 40 years ago. Another 31% say Americans are just as creative now as they were back then, and one quarter thinks Americans are less creative today. Interestingly, there was an age gap with 34% of seniors thinking that Americans were more creative 40 years ago and only 22% of those under age 30 agreed with that.
When asked where the greatest need for creativity was, respondents were evenly divided for the most part: alternate energy sources (28%), health care (26%) and education (24%), while transportation received less (7%). Responses were skewed by age: 32% of younger Americans thought education had the greatest need for creative innovation, while 32% of seniors thought health care was the priority.
Overall, those surveyed are confident that creativity is alive and well among Americans, which is good news, but how many people can become even more creative in everyday life?
Through the practice of creativity, genius can be born. Here are five ways to help boost creativity.
1. Help the Creative Process by Writing Morning Pages
Author and artist Julia Cameron in her book, The Artists Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, recommends a basic tool for a “lasting creative awakening,” called morning pages. She describes morning pages as three pages of longhand writing, strictly a stream-of-consciousness or a brain drain, whatever crosses the mind.
She explains that there is no wrong way of doing the morning pages and nothing written is too petty, silly, stupid, negative, or weird. She recommends that the pages be written in the morning and that nobody read the pages, even the person writing them for at least eight weeks. She says the purpose of this brain dumping is to get all that “angry, whiny, petty stuff” written down so that it doesn’t stand in the way of a person’s creativity.
2. Keep a Book for Creative Ideas
Ever had an idea present itself in a dream, during the ride to work, or in the shower? Great ideas can come unexpectedly, so it’s important to document them so as not to forget. Keeping an idea book handy can help to capture a thought or idea in the moment before a person's busy mind gets distracted.
The idea book can hold bits of wisdom, observations, elaborate or small ideas, or simply words that inspire. It can also be used as a brainstorming tool. A person may want to carry it in a pocket or purse and have another book near his or her bedside. Just as long as it can be easily accessed when that inspiring idea comes.
3. Use a Mind Map for Creative Problem Solving
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind mapping can be a powerful visual tool for creative problem solving, decision making, planning, project outlining, brainstorming, and taking notes.
A mind map is a diagram that includes the arranging of words, ideas and activities linked to a central idea. The goal is to organize and classify information visually to quickly identify and understand the structure of a topic and how all the pieces fit together. An example of a mind map can be found on the website LiveTheSolution.com.
4. Find Inspiring Tools for the Creative Process
What gives people inspiration and fires up their creative juices can vary. For some it’s music, perhaps a particular kind like jazz or country. For others it may be looking at a photo, picture or symbols.
Perhaps it could be communing with nature, or reading a certain book. Inspiration comes in many forms and it’s important for people to know what inspires them and gets the creative spark going. Whatever it is, call upon it when starting a creative endeavor, or simply use the tool to help launch creative thoughts.
5. Create a Vision Board
One way to spark creativity is through the creation of vision boards, which can provide inspiration and help in manifesting goals and dreams. They can be created for all kinds of uses such as a particular project or outlining a person’s desires for his or her life. Whatever the use, the board is a way of getting thoughts, goals and desires on paper to add clarity and make more indelible on the mind. Keep the board in a place where it can be viewed daily .
Engage in Creative Practices
With the practice of creative thinking, ideas are birthed that can change the world. Life is full of possibilities and people can bring forth their dreams from writing a screenplay, to becoming a website designer to making wedding cakes. The only real limitations are those that are self-imposed. Once a person can get past fear and self-doubt, creativity can flourish. These practices aim to help people expand their creative aptitude and potentially achieve the extraordinary.
Stacey Porto - Stacey Porto, CC is a certified life, career and business coach, graduating from the Life Purpose Institute of San Diego, CA. She has a ...
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