The Real Challenge of Creativity
Before I start this post, I would like to take this time to wish one of my closest friends a “Very Happy Birthday.”
Often times when I am brainstorming, I come to the conclusion that my idea has been done. Even if I feel that it is a brilliant idea, I convince myself that it must be done. No rational but just a gut instinct. That forces me to do some research and often I find that it has been done.
That is the purpose of this post. The real challenge of creativity is not just coming up with great ideas, but it is also the struggle to come up with original concepts. Creativity isn’t just a matter of brainstorming a cluster of ideas, nor is it just the process of innovating. Creativity is hard thinking, it is a struggle to get past what has been done and paint a new canvas. A canvas that when looked at, people think, “now there is an idea, or, why didn’t I think of that?”
How to Get Passed What Others Have Done?
- Understand that everyone is creative and fully capable of coming up with great ideas.
- Understand that more than one individual has had to problem solve a similar situation.
- Understand that creativity is not easy, and if you give yourself the right amount of time, the solution will come.
The Process
- Do your research. The number one reason why people fail to come up with original concepts is because they did not effectively do the right amount of research. You are not the only one who is facing this issue, many people have. Therefore, a quick search on a search engine can help you see another point of view. Research will get you in the right mindset to make things simple and more creative.
- Keep all your ideas. If you get an idea, sketch it out, or write it down so that you when you reference it, you can recall the entire scope. I have been in brainstorming sessions where people look at their notes and cannot remember their golden nugget. That is the last thing you need. If you believe your idea is no good, still write it down. There maybe someone else that believes the idea can be better or finds a golden nugget within it. Never rule out an idea, especially the day it was thought of.
- Come back to your ideas. Spread them out on the wall or the floor. Take a look at each idea. You may find that some ideas you thought of yesterday that were good, seem to be weak today, and often the weak ones from yesterday are your strong ones today. A fresh perspective makes all the difference in the world.
- Rule out the ideas that you and another individual cannot salvage. Be sure to keep a rejected pile and never throw away an idea. That idea might be a solution to another problem.
- If you cannot find the perfect solution to your problem, go into your archives of previous ideas you had on a different problem. Gems or Golden nuggets maybe in there that can help jumpstart new innovative thoughts.
- If you do not have a previous archive change the way you brainstorm ideas. There are many brainstorming techniques you may find in this blog.
It is simple. Research > Concept > View > Modify > Rule Out > View Archives > Implement.
Happy Brainstorming
Mitesh Solanki
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September 23rd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
The process is really interesting. I have heard other people talk about brainstorming, but you really placed things in perspective on this post. Thank you for the wonderful infomation
- taz
September 27th, 2008 at 11:46 am
[...] I feel that it is a brilliant idea, I convince myself that it must be done. Mitesh Solanki presents The Real Challenge of Creativity posted at Invent [...]
October 4th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
[...] presents The Real Challenge of Creativity posted at Invent [...]
October 7th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
A friend sent me a link to your blog and told me that I would find it useful.
You have great quality posts here. Thank you so much for posting about creativity. I have been looking for a website like this for years. This is really going to help me accomplish things. I will keep coming back as you update.
Also you mentioned in this post that it is bad to rule out idea. I agree, but what about when you know it is terrible? I tend to rule them out when I feel it is bad, is that wrong?