Creativity, the fuel that drives innovation and drives progress, is a valuable asset in today’s world. With the promise of improving our problem-solving skills and sparking new ideas, thinking methods designed to increase creativity have been shown to be effective. Yet a strange phenomenon remains – why don’t people flock to these proven techniques?
Let’s embark on a journey to uncover the complexities behind this creativity enigma.
1. The awareness gap
It’s a big world out there, full of innovative thinking. But not everyone comes across the tools of creative thinking. Many individuals do not seek out these methods and remain blissfully unaware that these techniques exist, thereby missing their potential to unlock untapped creativity. Creative thinking methods are given very little place in school and other educations and you can live a whole life without discovering them.
2. Walking familiar paths
Humans are creatures of habit. We often cling to the thought patterns that are familiar and comfortable. These paths, while not always the most creative, require minimal effort. Venturing into unknown territory by adopting and settling into new ways of thinking requires a conscious break from the norm.
3. Haven’t got time
In a world that values speed and efficiency, taking a moment to engage in creative thinking can seem like a luxury. The perceived time investment required to master and implement these practices may discourage individuals from exploring their creative potential, even though they likely save time in the long run.
4. The fear of failure
The fear of failure, of producing results that do not meet the norm, can cast a shadow over creative endeavors. Trying untested ways of thinking can lead to unknown results, triggering a hesitation rooted in the fear of failure. The same goes for anything unknown we try as adults.
5. No motivation
In contexts where productivity and efficiency prevail, creativity can sometimes take a back seat. Individuals may not feel motivated enough to venture beyond traditional approaches and are happy to stick with what they know works, even if another way would be many times better.
6. The comfort zone
Stepping into the unknown requires stepping out of our comfort zones. For many, the familiar is cozy, and the unknown is terrifying. Innovative methods may require that leap, which can be a big challenge for some.
7. Exposing weaknesses
Awareness is one thing; skill is another. Even if individuals are aware of these methods, they may not have had enough exposure or practice to use them. Practice is essential to mastering new techniques.
8. The culture
Cultural and social factors influence our approach to creativity. In environments that value conformity over experimentation, it can feel strange to adopt new ways of thinking, it becomes like deviating from the norm.
9. The concept of complexity
Complexity can be daunting. Some mindsets may seem complicated or challenging to implement. The perceived learning curve can discourage individuals from starting to learn new ways of thinking.
10. Lack of resources
Access to resources plays a central role. Without adequate training, workshops, or tools, individuals may struggle to effectively apply these techniques, sometimes stalling their creative efforts.
In the great fabric of human behavior, the reasons behind the avoidance of proven ways of thinking are often surprising. Overcoming these barriers only requires starting to do things that promote creative thinking, and learning from it. Although it feels strange and maybe even fuzzy at first, creative thinking methods are proven and scientifically proven to work, and create skill through practice, just like anything else.
It is a journey, a process and a commitment – a journey that unlocks the potential of our minds and paves the way for a world full of innovative ideas.
