You’re in the middle of a brainstorming session with your team, trying to crack a tough problem. Ideas are flying around, but none seem to hit the mark. The frustration is palpable, and just when you’re about to hit a wall, there’s that one colleague who calmly pauses, thinks for a moment, and then—boom—delivers a brilliant solution. They make it look so easy, right?
Have you ever come across someone like this at your workplace? So, what’s their secret? How is it that while everyone else is stuck in a rut, they seem to have an endless well of ideas? And how do they express these ideas so effortlessly, without a hint of panic?
It’s as if while the rest of the team is frantically trying to solve the puzzle, they’re sitting quietly in the corner, brewing up the perfect answer. And when they do speak, it’s often a solution so simple and effective that you’re left wondering, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
It’s fascinating, isn’t it? One moment, you’re stuck, and the next, they’ve come up with a clever hack that not only solves the problem but does so more efficiently than you’d imagined. If you think they were born with this gift—this magical ability to think differently and creatively—think again.
NASA conducted a study to test the creative potential of 1,600 children aged four to five. The results?
So, what happened? Why does our creativity, which seems boundless in childhood, fade as we grow older? More importantly, how can we reclaim it? These are the questions that might just hold the key to unlocking that effortless innovation we all admire.
The answer is that a small percentage of individuals—the top 2%—never stopped nurturing their creativity, whether they realised it or not. While some believed that becoming less creative was just part of growing older, these individuals were quietly proving that notion wrong, continuing to develop their creative skills over time.
You might be sitting there thinking, “But I’ve tried before, and I always end up feeling stuck, with no ideas and nothing to say.” It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that creativity is something you’re either born with or not. But here’s the thing: that’s just a myth. The idea that some people are inherently creative, and others aren’t, or that there’s a limit to how creative you can be, has been debunked time and time again by artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators across the world. Take the internet, for example. Thirty years ago, who could have imagined it would become as essential as it is today? Yet Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn did—they saw beyond the limits of their time and created something that has revolutionised our lives.
So, the real question isn’t whether you can be more creative. The question is: Do you want to be more creative?
Whether you’re an artist, a strategist, a leader, an entrepreneur, or even a mum, creativity is your key to standing out. It’s what sets you apart from machines and AI—your unique ability to generate ideas. In today’s world, I believe creativity isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for survival.
So, how do you unlock your creative potential, especially in challenging situations? It starts with following these FIVE easiest steps to boost your own creativity game:
Step 1: Flex Your Creativity Muscle
Ever tried to build muscle or learn to swim just by reading a book? Of course not! You hit the gym or dive into the pool, right? The same goes for creativity—it’s not something you can just learn from a manual. You need to practice it, and who better to learn from than the true experts in creativity?
So, what’s the trick? Start thinking like a child. Hang around little ones and marvel at how their minds explore endless possibilities without the constraints of logic. The next time you face a problem, channel your inner five-year-old and ask yourself, “What would a child do in this situation?” Let your thoughts roam freely, without boundaries. It’s like giving your creativity a workout, and trust me, the results can be amazing.
Step 2: Embrace the Art of Zoning Out
We’ve all been there sitting in a long meeting while our minds drift to a beach holiday or a lingering personal issue. Zoning out often gets a bad rap, but what if I told you, it could boost your creativity?
Instead of feeling guilty about letting your mind wander, make it a part of your routine. Set aside some “zone-out” time between tasks, allowing your brain to roam freely. This mental escape isn’t just a break; it’s a way to let creativity seep in. You might even find that your productivity soars. According to neuroscience and psychology, zoning out can facilitate creativity level. So go ahead, let your mind wander—you might just stumble upon your next big idea.
Step 3: Tune into Music Therapy
When was the last time you let yourself get lost in a happy tune? Music has this incredible ability to shift your mood and thought process almost instantly. It’s no wonder research shows that people who listen to upbeat music see a spike in their productivity and creativity.
So, why not give music therapy a try? Spend just five minutes each day listening to something that lifts your spirits, especially when your creativity feels stuck. It’s a small habit that can make a big difference—I do it before every training session, and it works wonders.
Step 4: Let Your Imagination Run Wild
Our brains have a natural tendency to focus on the negative—what could go wrong rather than what could go right. To nurture your imagination, you need to flip that script. Give yourself permission to imagine the best-case scenarios instead.
Set aside time to daydream, allowing your mind to explore possibilities without shutting down ideas as unrealistic. You might be surprised at how many of those “wild” ideas turn out to be completely viable.
Step 5: Shake Up Your Thoughts
When you’re stuck on a problem, sometimes the best thing you can do is walk away. Seriously. Disrupt your thoughts by doing something completely unrelated. Watch a funny movie, go for a walk, or have a chat with a friend.
By stepping away, you’re giving your brain the space it needs to come up with creative solutions. The answer might pop up when you least expect it—but first, you must give your mind the freedom to wander.
Conclusion
Anything you nurture will grow, and that includes your creativity. To become a more creative thinker, you need to start with a blank slate. Forget the old methods and routines that once worked for you and start embracing new ideas and experiences.
Expose yourself to things you don’t know. Engage in conversations with people who have different perspectives. Feed your curiosity, and you’ll see your creativity blossom— and yeah, one day at a time.
