Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has
developed a theory on creative flow and the
relationship between challenge and skill. When
the challenge is high compared to the person’s
skill, worry and stress inhibits creativity.
On the flipside, when the challenge is limited and the skill is high, then the lack of
stretch leads to boredom and apathy. The trick is to strike the right balance between
the challenge and your level of skill. This point of balance will be different for each
person. As beings created in the image of a creative God, creativity and the ability
for original thought is there for all of us to access and develop.
As we engage in ministry, mission, family, life and work we encounter
complexities that require creative solutions. Here are some principles for
creative thinking and problem solving. Let’s find our flow!
Simple Guide to
Creative Thinking
By Teagan
Dwyer-Riviere
1. Find your happy place
Create an environment where you can be creative.
Remove distractions and give yourself the time and mental
space you need. Although some people do their best work
under pressure, creativity and the development of original
ideas usually flows best in a calm environment.
2. Figure out the ‘why’
Work out what the end goal, or purpose, is at
the start of the project as this will inform every step along
the way. Even if your goal is just to relax through creating
something, this is still a purpose. There are infinite routes
that can be taken to the same destination, however
without the end point in mind, your super creative
solution might actually lead you to a dead end.
3. Brainstorm it out
Your first idea is never going to be your best idea, but write
it down anyway. Ideas trigger each other and sometimes it
takes the getting out of all ideas, ‘bad’ included, before the
creative, interesting and innovative ones flow.
4. Change shoes
Depending on who you are, the same problem might look
very different… in fact for some it might not even look
like a problem at all. In seeking to think creatively about
a situation or develop a new idea, look at it from different
angles and put yourself in the shoes of those who will be
engaging with the final solution.
resonate
· issue 32 · page 9
4a. Bring others in
When you have run out of shoes, bring others into the
conversation. Although it’s sometimes painful to open up
the doors for feedback on your idea baby, it is an incredibly
valuable part of the process. Fresh eyes can push your
concept to the next level and open your eyes to the ways
in which it isn’t quite working. Disclaimer though… yes,
listen to others and yes, consider their perspective, but
sometimes you just have to go with your gut.
5. Give it time
It’s amazing the difference a day or even 10 minutes can
make to your creative flow. When you have hit the point
of being stuck, then stop. Stop for at least long enough to
walk around the block and make a cup of tea. After giving
your mind a circuit break, and the space to creatively
reset, don’t be surprised if the solution jumps out at you
the next time you look at it.
6. The wheel is fine as it is
Finding a new solution for something only works when it
is actually an improvement. Don’t reinvent the wheel or
make changes for the sake of it. It has to be better.
Creativity,
here we come!