Dear friends,

Today I have prepared an exciting contribution on the topic of “creativity” for you. It is based on an article from the magazine “Gehirn und Geist” (brain and mind) from the spectrum of science publishing company, which publishes the latest findings of psychology and brain research.

Each of us must constantly solve problems. Our professional world constantly demands new, innovative ideas. But often the brilliant flash of inspiration doesn’t strike when we need it the most.

Stimulating creativity: Draw your company’s influence on certain projects!

Now on the web and in various guides there are hundreds of tips, how we allegedly can give our creativity a boost. But what methods really work and which ones can you forget about?

As you perhaps have experienced yourself, it is sometimes better to take a break or do something quite different (e.g. sport!), in order to come back later with new energy to the respective topic.

Looking for mushrooms, but please don’t take any fly amanitas with you, even though they are beautiful!

For this there’s a scientific expression: “divergent” (in other words: something different, opposite) behaviour. This also includes the classic “sleep on it”, before going back to work.

Sometimes it’s also helpful to change one’s perspective, to try to approach topic in a “different” way, to look at things in reverse order, change places – just a small change in the routine can often change the view of things and can lead to new ideas.

The opposite approach – also known as “convergent” behaviour – does, however, shows discipline and perseverance and the ability to work concentrated on a thing for and as long as necessary and to keep going until you have found a solution.

Stimulating creativity sometimes also means: Hanging on, until ideas grow!

Now this sounds less appealing, but sometimes such a behaviour is justified, especially in combination with the previously mentioned divergent behaviour. If we, at a certain point in our creative process do not begin to systematically develop our ideas then in the end all good ideas amount to nothing.

About the concrete behaviour, scientists have found that even our current mood influences which thinking strategy we prefer and, therefore how creative we are. So if you’re waiting on a brilliant idea, it’s alright to dance, sing and laugh a lot, then inspiration will strike on its own! : -)

Act your vision out as a performance!

Until next time! All the best, Birgit