The modern business environment is highly competitive, challenging and dynamic; hence many businesses have been forced to look for ways of enhancing their workers’ efficiency as a panacea for bankruptcy. It is, however, frustrating to observe that most of the conventional measures gleaned from expensive training and development programmes (locally and abroad) have failed to yield the desired results. A careful thought would reveal that the solution lies inside of us- in our minds.
Managers, in the corporate interest, must exercise discretion in making decisions and solving critical problems. It is sad that many workers are not innovative, despite being highly motivated. The creative thinker is much more successful, with less effort and stress. But many still frown on the thinking process because of inconsequential excuses. According to Bertrand Russell, “Some people would rather die than think, and some do.”
Dr. Fellers in his book, Creativity for Leaders, exposes the readers to the creative concepts that yield breakthroughs in all facets of life. The book helps to unleash your latent potential by showing you how to overcome the destroyers of creativity and innovations in the workplace, in business, and at home.
The vital lessons are encapsulated below.
Be Positive
“Believe you can become more creative, and you will.” Having a positive disposition is the first step to being a creative thinker. Negative thoughts or perceptions deaden your creative might and reduce your chances of making life-transforming decisions and choices. If you want to make a remarkable progress in life, eschew all forms of pessimism.
The Mind
The human mind comprises two parts: the subconscious mind and the conscious mind. The subconscious mind, which is the source of most creativity, organises all that have been heard, seen, thought, tasted and touched into creative ideas. The susceptible subconscious can easily be tricked by unwholesome suggestions and is often reflected in our bodily functions. If you believe you are sick, you eventually become sick.
The analytical, conscious mind rarely sees associations of seemingly unrelated concepts and can deal with fewer data than the subconscious.
Scientists refer to the creative part of the psyche as the “right brain” and the analytical, judgmental portion as “left brain.”
The subconscious mind generates a lot of alternatives while the conscious mind is used to select the best option.
Enriching the subconscious
Boredom, stress, anxiety, anger and conflict dampen the enigmatic subconscious. But maintaining a calm mind or present-mindedness- a mind free of guilt from the past and anxiety for the future- ignites and rejuvenates your creative mind.
However, you must fill the knowledge gaps to improve your subconscious because throwing your net into an empty pond yields nothing. You can enhance your subconscious by:
1. Reading Widely
Varied experiences enrich the subconscious, but none of us can live long enough to personally experience all he wants or needs to know. Therefore, reading different types of books enables you to learn from the experiences of other people. Suffice it to say that your best creativity usually comes in your own area of expertise. So, routinely read material technical trade journals and note ideas as they flow.
2. Practising Intense Observation
Using all your senses at least for 5 minutes several times a day, observe the things around you (including yourself) without making analyses or judgments. This exercise helps you to regain your present- mindedness, increase your mental energy and creativity.
3. Avoiding Articulate Incompetents
Articulate incompetents are people who know all and do everything to please the boss by presenting a false image. These low-level minds sometimes have excellent verbal skills but lack intuitive or creative power. Regular negative suggestions by these people can trick your gullible subconscious and kill your creativity.
4. Doing different stuff
Novelty forces your subconscious to work to double time. It triggers the release of natural chemicals that cause creativity by rejuvenating the brain and leading to synergy (2+2=5). You can:
- dine with old friends in new places.
- experiment with new mode of travel- a bus or train to a routine place.
- walk a route you have driven for years. Note what you have been missing.
- take a brisk twenty-minute walk everyday to clear your mind. Do this within a half hour after dinner and burn twice the calories.
- take 8 to 10 five-minute brain-balancing breaks a day. Stand if you usually sit, enjoy colourful flowers if you study data summaries all day, move around.
- start a new hobby.
- meet new friends from different professions.
Incubation
Ideas develop from the subconsciousÍ´ ability to correlate, combine, associate, ignore and categorise phenomena. Sequel to the introduction of a problem to your subconscious, surrender and wait for the answers to come.
Or when stuck up in the process of finding a solution, abandon it for a later date and do something else. Ensure that you have long-term goals; your subconscious mind will surely guide you to relevant experiences to accomplish your calling.
Laughter
Laughter releases endorphins that reduce stress and energize the brain. Even when faced with unavoidable stress, learn to trick the brain’s biochemical processes with humour, rigorous exercise, singing, taking calcium and B-Complex.
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