Creativity
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Contents |
[edit] Problem
Lack of creativity, lack of motivation, skill limitations.
[edit] Context
A lack of creativity is threatening to diminish a projects effectiveness.
[edit] Discussion
Lack of creativity can be a serious problem for any project. The changing nature of projects makes creativity a vital function. Plans change so you have to be able to adapt. By using creative ideas and methods most issues within a project can be resolved.
The lack of creativity is shadowed by the lack of motivation. In art projects for example a lack of creativity can bog a project down but a lack of motivation can kill a project. Also a lack of creativity in a piece of art can reduce the art's impact on the viewer or worse cause the viewer to pass the art by.
Skill limitations within a project is an issue. Your creative ideas are more advanced than what your skill level is to be able to complete. This problem can lead to feelings of failure and not being able to complete the project to the fullest potential. This issue may or may not be detrimental to a project depending on the type of project.
[edit] Solution
Creativity needs to be used in order to complete a project. To combat a lack of creativity brainstorming should be used. A journal can be used to write down any and all ideas pertaining or relating to the project. Ideas should not be judged as good or bad until a analysis of all ideas has been completed. The most productive or efficient ideas that further the project should be implemented immediately. Creative ideas can be good or bad but something is always learned from them and can be used to refine future projects. Efforts should be given to acquire the skills needed to complete the project (tech. training, education, interviews, research, etc.)
[edit] Related Patterns
Motivation, Education and Training, Brainstorming & Ideating
DIVINE INTERCONECTOION
The source of creativity is always up for discussion the natural ebb and flow can be unpredictable and at times seemingly unattainable. Creative thinkers are always trying to find the next wave or source for creativity that then can ride in on to finish their projects. The problem comes when these creative waves dry up.
Creativity is a limited unlimited resource meaning that a creative person will not always have that creativity at their disposal, but there is always the potential for their next creative gush at any given time.
Therefore: A creative person needs to find ways in which to tap that creativity more readily and exercises to get them into their creative zone. What are theories on the source of creativity and how does it work? How can a creative person encourage the generation of creative thought? Are there ways in which a person can make themselves more creative?
The ancient Greeks believed that there were muses that provided inspiration to artists today we believe differently but creativity can be just as mystic and elusive as those Grecian water nymphs. Today there is no one decisive definition or way to measure creativity. Many disciplines in social sciences study the phenomena of creativity including behavioral psychology social psychology, psychometrics, cognitive science, philosophy, history, economics, artificial intelligence and design research, business and management.
A standard working definition of creativity is the creation of new ideas general using existing ideas and creating new ones by connecting these already established ones. There is conflicting theories on the source of creativity whether it is an intrinsic trait or a taught technique, and if intelligence and creativity are the same process. Modern theories on the generation of creativity include right brained thinking, intuition, genius, madness, intrinsic personality traits and an acute sense of humor. There seems to be a strong connection between manic depression, schizophrenia, and creativity, many famous authors including Sylvia Plath, Hemmingway and Virginia Wolfe were manic depressive and eventually committed suicide. Social Psychologist Graham Wells defined creativity in 5 stages: preparation, incubation, intimatation, illumination, and verification. Basically his models follows man first focusing on the task at hand, then digest the problems thinking it over internally, then getting to a point where you can feel that an idea is coming, then the idea moves from the subconscious to the conscious mind, finally the idea is fleshed out and turned from vague to solid. To me Wells’ model claims that creativity is your subconscious problem solving.
The theory of right brained thinking not only offers an origin for creativity but solutions for fostering creative thought. Because it is believed that creativity is located in the right hemisphere of the brain activities that stimulate the right side should spawn creative activity. Such techniques include: Establishing purpose and intention, Building basic skills, Encouraging acquisitions of domain-specific knowledge, Stimulating and rewarding curiosity and exploration, Building motivation, especially internal motivation, Encouraging confidence and a willingness to take risks, Focusing on mastery and self-competition, Promoting supportable beliefs about creativity, Providing opportunities for choice and discovery, Developing self-management (metacognitive skills), Teaching techniques and strategies for facilitating creative performance, Providing balance.
A personal solution for a creative road block is to reference materials in and around the genre of your assigned task. Look to the past to find your solution today. Through out the course of one’s life one will be exposed to very similar and different instances that will form your frame of reference therefore given the same source material there will always be a variation on creative the product. Another way I combat a lack of creativity is to work with a partner that mirrors some of my views and fills the gaps in views that differ and experience I lack. Two heads are better than one and when it comes to creativity having another POV can save a project.
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Creativity is an intangible concept that everyone knows because everyone possesses it to some degree, yet it is still as indefinable to modern man as it was to the ancients. Creative thinking is an unpredictable phenomenon there are theories on how one can tap into creativity but nothing is concrete on the subject. Sometimes it comes down to whether you’ve got it or not and there is nothing you can do. When stuck in a creative block it is always good to have a creative partner or external information source to tap for inspiration.
SEE Working as a Creative Team
