Psychologists have studied the nature of human problem solving methods over the past hundred years. There are several methods of studying problem solving, including; introspection, behaviorism, simulation, computer modeling, and experiment.

Now if I sit here and explain what each one of those methods includes and how it is used, I wouldn’t be able get to the real bread and butter. Bottom Line: A solution has to be simple, and cannot be complicated.

Systems Diagram

A system diagram is a great way to help you understand how something works and the steps the system takes. When broken down into visuals it helps us understand the problem as simple as possible. Lets use an example.

As an Advertising consultant there are some common problems I come across when I begin to work with organizations. Since I can best demonstrate problem solving through the industry I work in, I will use advertising as the example. Please note that this methodology can be applied to any industry.

• Problem: ACME Inc. is struggling to maintain its market share as its competitors aggressively acquire its share in the market. This uncertainty in the market has caused reduced sales for ACME Inc. and also diminishes the brand loyalty. This negative perception can hurt long-term business growth and potentially devastate the financial standpoint of the organization. Bringing consistent layoffs, reduction in research and development, and less funding to seek company growth. ACME Inc. must aggressively tackle this new up and coming issue while cash flow remains positive.

Well sure that sentence sums up the problem, but if you are reading a brief, with multiple problems, this can be cumbersome to understand, let alone solve. That is why when I am briefed I make doodles. Yes I doodle out the problem rather than write it out. It just makes more sense to me. Here is the same problem visually. Now you tell me which one is easier to understand. The words or the visuals? Also keep in mind that it is human nature to forget things, and therefore we look back at our notes. Which one of the two is quicker to browse, the visual or the words?

This was a fairly easy problem to draw out visually. Often times people tend to struggle when the problem has many components and becomes complex. Regardless of the situation, you must come up with your own conventions to understanding things.

For example to me circles with a line going down can be a representation of a person. Simple. And of course you will have to practice making system diagrams, but eventually it will be easy to draw out. Try it out on simple math problems. Visually demonstrating the problem can often lead to the “ahh haa” moment to solving the problem, and avoiding silly mistakes. It is also a great way to gearing your mind into visual thinking. It is a very powerful tool, and might I add rare individuals utilize visual thinking. When was the last time you were sitting next to someone who draws notes out rather than write? If you are one of the few “true visual” thinkers, think about your personal marketability…

Happy Systems Diagramming

Mitesh Solanki

mitesh@inventcreativity.com

Lets be honest here. We all get these voices that talk us out of things and inhibit us from moving forward. I admit that I get these voices; voices of doubt and most of all fear of rejection. We are wired to talk ourselves, which is what we call the simple concept of “thinking”. Often it is by hearing another story of rejection, or another story of failure. If you are busy listening to this voice how can you actively channel your thoughts to solve the problem?

When I was going to college, I choose a design school where I faced a new unapparent challenge. I was put in a room with hundreds of other creative individuals who had a similar thought process as I did. Eventually we were competing for the A in the class by having the most creative projects and executions. From the very beginning I started to hear that voice, and the times I felt more pressure I would hear more voices of doubt and concern. 

Luckily one day as I was sitting down to work on a project I realized after three hours I had gotten nowhere. My advertising campaign had no concept and the deadline was only a couple days away. At that moment I realized, the only reason I had gone nowhere was because of the voice. That very voice slowed me down and made me feel like I was a creative hack. I mean come on, three hours and no ideas? I realized that instead of focusing my energy on what I needed to solve, I focused it on that negative voice. 

The moment I started to catch myself is the day I started executing my projects more naturally. Ideas started flowing left and right. It was a matter of positive mental clarity. All it took was realizing when the voice becomes negative and hitting mute. Eventually the voice dies down, and it becomes just another sound in the crowd. The real positive voice that helps you solve problems is the one you want to listen to. It is the voice that inspires great ideas. So if you are still stuck in the same boat of problems, what are your thoughts focused more on? Solving it so you can fix it, or wondering about it so you can think about it over and over again?

Happy Thoughts
Mitesh Solanki

mitesh@inventcreativity.com

I recently had a discussion with a close friend of mine in regards to passion and career. She has chosen a new path in life in relation to her career, and along the way she frequently receives negative criticism as to why she choose it. If that isn’t enough already, she receives further criticism on how there are better options out there that are higher in social status.

Unfortunately this criticism occurs often, far more than it should. I recall receiving criticism when I choose to attend a Design School over a traditional University. It was inferred that I would fail, or that it would be one of the greatest mistakes of my life. However, not once did those assumptions stop me for pursuing my passion.  As I step back, I see myself farther than my peers in terms of accomplishments and success.

What does this have to do with Creativity?

I define creativity as “the formation of ideas that ‘WOW’ ”

It’s simple if you think about it. Passion is a desire and enthusiasm for something. When you allow yourself to explore that desire, you no longer worry about understanding its complexities. Your focus is on accomplishing that goal that craves within you thereby naturally channeling creativity into your work.

Example:

If you hand an artist a pad and pen, he/she is likely to draw something interesting and also likely to continue drawing for a longer period of time. Give a mathematician a pad and pen, the outcome may not be equivalent to the artist. He/she is not as likely to have the same motivation as the artist to draw. Rather he/she may begin to solve a mathematical problem. Both the artist and mathematician have a pad and pen, but they utilize the medium to their own desires and interest.

If you do not pursuit what it is you desire, or rather inhibit someone to pursuit his/her desire, how can one expect innovation? Creativity starts with a passion for what it is you are doing. Then it is a matter of innovating to be different, to stand out, and most of all be known and respected for what you do. Creativity is passion explored.

Mitesh Solanki

mitesh@inventcreativity.com

As strange as it sounds, I have been wondering what I can possibly write about I mean this will set the tone for future postings right?  It is not always easy but I ask my fellow readers to feel free to send me suggestions on topics that they would want posted on this site.  I believe that the best way to keep the communication lines open is to really just ask for feedback.  It never hurts and I firmly believe that you will be a creative person because of it.  (But that is just my 2 cents!)  

Now is the time for all of us to take a step back whether we like it or not.  I am sure all of you have noticed that as a society we are constantly moving not realizing that we can make our lives simple by finding creative ways to do so.  For example, I was browsing the internet and noticed that almost every major headline or eye-opener was a list of over a dozen creative ways to almost do anything!   I know that all of you out in cyberspace notice it too:

• 10 simple ways to save money at the gas pump
• Workout at home with these simple moves
• Meals in under 30 minutes

I am sure that you get the point.  We are always in a rush to get things done, or to get to our destination.  It really makes me wonder why don’t we just put simple methods in practice to alleviate stress and enjoy life? As cliche as it sounds, we are conditioned to continue in a cycle and we aren’t used to change.  This takes time and if we want a simple solution we will try it and if it works its great and if it requires that we put in ‘time’ we believe that it is not worth it.  Let’s take a step back and change that method of thinking and just try simple things and see how your creative thought process will change.  If we as a society did all the little things to make our lives better imagine the possibilities!  

As a creative myself, I would like to share with you some techniques on how to get your creativity working towards your benefit.  

• Take 30 minutes everyday to just relax, I find that listening to music works for me.
• As a kid at heart, I find that coloring with Crayola crayons brings you back to your childhood and can really help you unlock your creativity (I also want to note that the late Randy Pausch also believed in this)
• If you can have a simple workout regimen at least 3 times a week you would be surprised how much energy you will have and you will also be healthier

So my fellow readers, I ask that you at least try one of the above suggestions and see what it does for you. You will find that this will take time but creativity needs you the individual to be at 100%.  That is it for now fellow creatives!  

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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

mitesh@inventcreativity.com

10 greatest mistakes people make while in a brainstorming session.

Leading a Brainstorming session as a group/team is a great way to bounce ideas. But how many people do you need to involve, and when is it to many people? For starters, brainstorming sessions I have been apart of have been as few as one other person to as many as forty people. I have witnessed and been intertwined in groups as upwards to forty or so people, but quickly found that only a select two or three individuals will actively participate, another couple individuals will interject every now and then, and the rest sit there and node, smile, and usually yawn.

A group of say up to six individuals works best. Everyone participates because the environment forces them not to stay quiet. It is easy to make connections with everyone in the room. Bouncing ideas is apart of creating synergy, and that synergy exists in smaller environments. My most successful sessions have been with just another person. Advertising agencies are notorious for this approach. A team of two will concept for a client. But at the same time there will be three to four other teams attempting the same project. Only one idea will win, but it is a way to find more ways to solve a problem.

You know that voice in the back of your head, “How will I ever solve this.” Eventually seconds go by turning into minutes, and all you have really done is questioned your own ability to think creative.

Try and stop that voice before it becomes subconscious where you think your trying to solve the problem, when really you’re repeating the same phrase over and over again. Usually when people are in this state, they always give feedback in the group that goes something like this. “I don’t know.” “I just can’t think of anything today.”

So make it a note as of today, if that voice comes in your head, stop early so you can really focus on the problem rather than creating your own mental problem.

Some people are wonderful at coming up with ideas on fly, and for all of you who have that innate ability, congratulations. However, there are far more individuals who simply do not have the necessary practice to solve problems on the spot let alone do it creatively. That must be kept in mind before calling a brainstorming session. Allow your team to prepare with notes, research, and maybe a few ideas here and there to get the ball rolling prior to the session. One very successful session I was involved in required that we submit our ideas prior to the session. It helps place a focus, and really breaks through the problem of number 9.

Creativity requires a great deal of imagination and many thoughts are processed during that time. The mind can only stay stimulated for a certain period of time. Therefore if your sessions are stretched out to anything more then thirty minutes, it may not be as effective as it could be if split up during different parts of the day or throughout the week.

The mind needs to get away from things in order to come up with the best solution. Some people find their ideas in their sleep. Some of my best ideas have come during abnormal activity, working out, driving, surfing the web, and looking at random images. Allow your team to get away from the problem, it can actually be the best thing you can do.

Brainstorming sessions should have rules but keep them simple. I have been in sessions where the moderator insist that no one walk around, raise your hand to provide input, offer criticism to the previous idea before adding or stating a new idea and frankly the list goes on. Here are a few rules that I use when moderating.

• Get up and walk around the room
• Do whatever it takes to keep your mind stimulated and stay comfortable
• Leave your phone(s) at your desk unless it is an emergency
• Bring things to eat and drink
• Make the session conversational and open
• Criticize ideas after we are done

I’m sorry to say this, but not everyone can lead a successful brainstorming session. Many times brainstorming sessions are treated like meetings with a formal agenda and documentation that must be read and presented etc. I find that the moment there is an “authority figure” in the session, individuals are afraid to present their ideas. Productivity increases when individuals are less afraid to perform or say the wrong thing. Therefore, if you know you are an authority that frightens your team from time to time, maybe you should stick the sessions out, and leave the job to a capable facilitator. Someone who can keep the team on track, take wonderful concise notes, and most of all, can engage the group in an active conversation.

If you have uncomfortable chairs that people just cant sit still after five minutes, consider changing them out. If you have a small room that cramps everyone together, consider expanding (if you have the budget of course), or consider moving the meeting outdoors at a local park. If you have a table that won’t accommodate everyone’s things and begins to look like clutter with everyone’s pad and computers, consider a larger table. If your walls look sterile, no pictures, white, and boring, consider spicing things up. Make the environment as comfortable as possible, it can greatly help increase employee efficiency and well worth the dollars spent for the million dollar ideas coming out of them.

Brainstorming sessions are meant to be fun and exciting. It is your chance to think wild and imaginative thoughts, regardless of the problem (and if for some reason you are reading this and thinking “are you kidding me” you already have the wrong mindset). Learn to relax and let ideas flow, and to listen to others. It can help stimulate your own thoughts and place things in perspective.

Keep this in mind, just because you maybe the leader of the team, it doesn’t mean you have to be the one with the ideas. You are in your position because you understand what works and what doesn’t, because you have good judgment calls, and most of all because of your leadership qualities. That is why it is ok to let someone else have the fame, after all that is the point of the session. So take number three and blend number two together and you will find your team is also more relaxed.

If it is anything that can ruin a brainstorming session, that would be the negative criticism presented while ideas are flowing. Negativity causes people to one, feel like they let the boss down by presenting a weak idea, when in fact could have been salvaged if the remark was more positive. Two, it un-relaxes not just the person being criticized but also everyone in the room. People want to share their ideas, but not if they are going to get shot down. If that is your attitude, do the team a favor and don’t attend the session. Plus on top of all that it makes the environment less conducive. People need nurturing and assurance, regardless of the person. Therefore work as a team and help one another out.

To all my readers who have bombarded me over the past several months about “what creativity really is?” I think I finally have the best answer…

• Creativity is a challenge. It is a purpose to improve and simplify.
• Creativity is courage. The world needs more fearless people that can influence all disciplines to challenge their very existence.
• Creativity is reflection aimed not at yourself, but at the world around you.
• Creativity is an approach to the world to solve a problem.
• Creativity is a way to influence, to get the world behind you with new fresh thinking.
• Creativity gets noticed, and all those who copy only copy because they noticed.
• Creativity is original thinking, not just thinking, but real thinking. Thinking that is hard, and doesn’t come easy.
• Creativity is being imaginative yet realistic.  
• Creativity is a capacity to understand the difficult.
• Creativity is a sudden inspiration.

Most of all creativity cannot be taught. It is not mathematics or science, it is a mental process. So why do I have a blog on creativity. Because the world is being robbed of its creative thinkers, and creativity is inspiration from anywhere. All it takes is to believe that you are creative and become a little fearless. Techniques only help you get there, but only you can teach yourself. I can only help you jumpstart, the rest you have to do on your own. Creativity is what keeps the world changing its dynamics. Are you the change or the one who follows the change?

I have seen many ideas from initial concept to final concept. Ideas that I could only wish that I had thought of myself (that’s when you know it is a really good idea). So the initial concept is spectacular, one can see many benefits from going in that route and see how it can/will be effective. But here is the thing, one must understand that the concept is only 40% of the game. Execution of the idea and/or concept is what brings the real results. Execution is 60% of the game.

Regardless of what your creative capacity is, if you simply do not understand how to execute the concept so that it will bring measurable results, the great idea becomes a flawed idea.

Here are a few simple tricks that can help you execute your creative idea. Remember if your idea is golden, it probably is golden because of its simplicity and because it solves a problem. Now executing that idea so that it becomes reality also needs to have simple creative steps. If something seems difficult its because your not thinking simple enough.

One of my friends had a wonderful idea for an Internet Business. His idea was golden, but when it came time to executing it, he was spinning in circles. Creating more work than required, and ended up not going anywhere for the first four months.

Step 1:

Don’t tangle yourself in useless thoughts. Often times you get distracted. You look at other people and how they did things, and try and model yourself after them. I ask why? Your objective is to execute your big idea. Plan from scratch. Do what it will take to execute your plan, not someone else’s. To clarify I am not saying re-invent the wheel, but I am saying just because someone did it one way, doesn’t mean you have to as well. Look at it from the point of view of, “Will this strategy ultimately get me to where I need to be, or is it just icing on the cake?” Creativity starts by innovating.

Step 2:

Make a list of targets. If I told you my big idea was to start a blog on creativity. Well the steps can be simplified of what I need to do. Buy a domain name, get a hosting plan, install wordpress, design a layout, and write some posts. Well that’s the basics. Every problem has steps, small to big. No need to write out paragraphs on how to do it. That’s your job. Rather write out simple steps that need to be taken just like above.

Step 3:

Stop thinking that you can’t do it. If everyone thought that way there would be no fortune 500 companies around. Everyone started from the bottom. If you are at the bottom right now, I say plan to move ahead. Key word, “PLAN.” If your not planning then your never going to execute, and therefore your ideas will go from great to nothing. And great ideas are rare. So if you get one, I say plan and execute it through simple effective steps. Even if you believe you are at the bottom. You have to start somewhere.

Happy Execution

Mitesh Solanki

mitesh@inventcreativity.com

Our culture is extremely visual. Everything from TV, advertising, movies, magazines, architecture, interior design, video games, im sure you get the point…

Visual Literacy is defined “as the ability to understand communications composed of visual images as well as being able to use visual imagery to communicate to others.”

In order to become visually literate, one must practice expressing their thoughts and ideas in visual forms such as drawings (encoding) and translating/understanding the meaning of visual imagery (decoding).

Visual literacy isn’t always easy. In fact some artists make their visual work difficult to understand, and only those truly observant will understand. Show me a photograph, and there is an excellent chance I will be able to interpret the photographers intentions only because of my years of practice and dedication.

Benefits of Visual Literacy

·      Increase of Creative Capacity

·      Enhanced Observational Skills

·      Improves visual represented comprehension (charts, graphs..etc.)

·      Improves Capacity to Develop Powerful Concepts and Solutions

·      Enhances Ability to Think Simplicity

Sure visuals can be complicated, but those that have the most powerful concept are the simplest in form. If you are out to problem solve and need to understand the concept of simplicity, visual literacy is a great way of getting there.

Take a good look at the above image. I shot that image while I was in Wisconsin. I used special lens filters on my camera just to get my intention across visually. Any ideas on what I was trying to portray? Leave a comment and lets see what everyone comes up with. It’s a good starting point.

Those who are creative tend to have a high capacity of visual literacy. Unfortunately many major institutions other than design schools have tested visual literacy, however, I am big believer in Visual Literacy. It helps Problem Solve, and problems are a large part of everyday life. So why not emphasize something so important to everyday life?

Cheers

Mitesh Solanki

Lets take a minute and think about creative talent. First off, it is fair to say that it is a rare talent. Secondly, it is difficult to find the perfect blends of creativity and logic. Lastly, creative’s have a much different problem solving habit and therefore are wired to think much differently than most of the average population (another reason why creative’s tend to score poorly on standardized test).

Now as creative’s engage in companies in an effort to do what they do best (problem solve), that talent can go from an A to an F in matter of a couple months. I have seen a high turnaround rate in Agency culture, corporations, and most of all any company that seeks to hire creative talent to further its business.

Therefore here is my message to all executives, directors, managers, or anyone who may get the opportunity to work with a creative individual. Bare in mind their job is difficult, that is why you hired them. Also note that thinking simple is far more difficult than thinking complicated. Creative’s don’t enjoy taking on stress, in fact it hurts their job performance. Creativity requires fresh original thinking, which comes from the subconscious. If the subconscious is not calm, it cannot function the way it is meant to function.

Take it from me, give them a culture that they can thrive in. Spacious room, spontaneous activities throughout the day (stop everyone from working and start a soul train line), keep them calm and focused. If you go with the pressure and stress route, you will notice a high turn around rate and lack of performance (what a waste of a payroll).

Now for all those who are thinking, well we have deadlines… Well I too run a successful agency, and my business partner and I hardly ever run into the stress avenue and plan a strategy to avoid it. Plan your projects carefully and you will achieve. It starts with your attitude. There is a reason why Target has the best employee efficiency. They too have adopted this strategy…

Mitesh Solanki

Every company CEO, COO, President, VP, Director (you get the point), I have spoken with always mentions one thing, “Making this company profitable is not the hard part. The hardest part is getting the rest of the team to think intuitively.”

Lets break down what intuition really is. The dictionary presents it as “The ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning.”

Intuition is an interesting concept. Why would you want your employees to act without true reasoning or factual data to prove it will work, isn’t that dangerous? Personally I believe the creative process alone is dangerous. When presented a problem, there are multiple solutions, some better than others. However, identifying which ones is the correct path quickly without conscious reasoning is the difficult part.

Here is the secret:

1.    Gut Instinct

We all have a gut instinct; some learn to listen to it while others choose to ignore it. Learn to feel what is right and what is wrong. It’s human nature to just have a hunch. Like they say first instinct is usually correct so why question it? Thinking intuitively is what makes great leaders. It is a way to make quick decisions, so learn to listen to your gut instinct and stop ignoring it.

2.    Leave the Fear at HOME!!!

Lets face reality, we are all afraid to take certain risks. But when you have that gut feeling telling you what the correct solution is, take the risk and run with it. It’s your intuition so use it to guide you when your lost.

3.    Forget about Methodology for Once

If everyone followed the rules laid out by other innovators, there would be no innovation. Creativity is new born solutions, things people have not thought about. So isn’t it time we all start innovating?

It all starts by thinking intuitively (your gut instinct minus the fear).

Happy Intuition

Mitesh Solanki

I was on a road trip with my family over the past two weeks. While on the road we obviously had the CD cranked with all sorts of music. Folk, Classical, Rock, Hip Hop… well you get the point. While I wasn’t driving and there was a lack of conversation (sort of personal time), I would be working on my current projects.

I noticed how my style of design was inspired by the music. When I was producing a logo, I had this real fluid design when listening to classical and a somewhat grudge look when Hip Hop was playing. Without even really thinking, my mind was in that zone. My creativity was heightened by the influence of music.

I learned something new about my personal pursuit to expand my creativity. Music influences your thoughts. It is how you channel those thoughts to your benefit. So if you are a designer, artists, or problem solver for that matter, consider the type of music you listen to. Change it up, and notice how your mind just might change its state of consciousness.  

Happy Creative Pursuit

Mitesh Solanki

Often times when its time to create a list of some sort, or put things down on paper, you know random thoughts, people tend to fire up their computer and open up good old word.
Every design professor I have spoken with, every creative individual I have come in contact with prefers paper to a computer hands down. WHY?

• Helps visually demonstrate the thought, not just boring text.
• Gives freedom of the page, does not need to be structured.
• When the pencil/pen touches the paper it lets you feel in control of your thoughts.
• No race against forgetting. Quicker than typing.
• Easily be elaborated as a chart and/or form.
• Brainstorming partner can easily see flow of ideas.
• If you find yourself stuck, doodling can be done to jump-start that imagination.

Paper is freedom and therefore the next time you find yourself firing up that computer, try the SIMPLE paper and pen. Notice I said SIMPLE, creativity is also simple ideas done imaginatively. Why not cater to the art? After all it is what the professionals do.

Happy Brainstorming
Mitesh Solanki

If ever you have been in the position to find creative talent, you have probably noticed how difficult it can be to find. Strong creative talent is rare, partially due to the educational system that pushes students away from creativity. However, there is always the right person for the job, regardless of how impossible it may seem at times.

I have been asked a few times on how to test someone in regards to their creativity. Creative individuals tend to have personalities that extend a wide array. They jump from topic to topic and find interest in some of the smallest facts in the world. They have a tendency to be able to hold conversations with people, regardless of the discussion. They have the brain capacity to break things down and make them simple. A complex solution to them is still considered a problem. Simplicity to them is a solution.

I recently came across a creative myself. Over the past seven to eight months I have come to know more and more about this person. From the beginning I had a feeling there was talent behind the mind. She approached things from a new point of view. Asked questions that nobody else would ask, and potentially would overlook. Most of all she solved problems and always found SIMPLE solutions that would work in replacement of COMPLEX solutions.

That is why I have asked her to join me on Invent Creativity as an Author. Please welcome Hatel. She will be writing alongside me in this blog to help our readers increase their creative capacity and reach their aspirations. She has that talent, and is now more than willing to help others achieve the same. 

Mitesh Solanki

F

Failure: Lets be realistic, not all ideas will work. Reality is, in order to get your winning idea you have to think it through and test them. Remember, not all solutions work, and frankly speaking, if you decide you want to do something you have to be willing to fail for as long as it takes to get the right solution.

B

Basics: If you want to get that award winning idea, break down your problem into the basics. Make it simple to process and only worry about the main points, versus all the points. If you want to get that big idea to solve your problem, think simple. Its what makes creativity creative.

C

Condense: Take all your solutions that you have come up with. Step back and look at them. Can these solutions be condensed to even greater simplicity? Sometimes an idea is good, but if it can become simpler, the idea goes from good to great. Don’t just kill an idea because it’s good. Kill it because it can’t get passed good.

Happy Creativity

Mitesh Solanki

While I was surfing the web, I came across a very interesting post on 50 creative ways to make your blog popular. Inside are some very key gems that I am sure many of us have overlooked.

50 Creative Ways to Make Your Blog Popular

Enjoy
Mitesh Solanki

Every time I have been in a brainstorming session I find that there are two types of individuals. One type that does not mind throwing out an idea, or adding onto an existing idea, and the other who sits and listens and provides feedback, such as, “I like that”, or “that’s pretty good”. That same individual (if he/she does not comment further or present ideas) is also known as “fear minded:” Unsure how others will take their ideas, and therefore simply afraid to present them. These individuals also tend to talk themselves out of a good idea, looking for anomalies from everyday life. “My idea has to be done, it came to easy.” Or my personal favorite, “everyone is going to think it’s a bad idea.”

Fact of the matter is, no idea is a bad idea. If for some reason you believe it to be a bad idea, then stop for a second and remember, your thoughts are generated through your own personal creative capacity. Nobody on this planet has the same mind capabilities you posses. Sure we think alike, but we also think differently. Your angle can be far different than anyone else’s angle and that is what makes every idea a good idea. It’s a way of collaboration and often times, one idea leads to an even larger idea.

So take it from me, the next time you are going into a brainstorming session, leave the fear outside the door. Force yourself to present your thoughts, and you will notice how much creative freedom that brings. And for the final note, do not ever tell another person their idea is bad or completely wrong. It ruins the environment and concentration of that individual. Learn to push a small idea into a big idea that is simple.

Cheers

Mitesh Solanki 

Sir Ken Robinson speaks about creativity and its importance in this four minute video.

Have you ever stopped and reflected your life vs a child. Just think about it for a minute.

· A child isn’t afraid to be wrong, are you?

· A child will take a risk, will you?

· A child won’t over think what he/she wants, do you?

· A child learns to forgive quickly, do you?

· A child isn’t afraid to fail, are you?

We forget that we used to be like that. We all had a portion of our lives that had virtually no worries and it didn’t matter what we did because we found a way to have some fun. That child in you was a creative genius. Fear never took over your thoughts, and it is that same fear that holds your imagination behind. So take it from me, loosen the tie from time to time, and just let go. Let your mind be free, and maybe that solution will be around the corner.