5 proven ways to boost creativity to solve tough problems
Consider these activities and tools to help build your ability to think outside the box and bring new ideas to intransigent challenges.
Are you creative? Unless you paint masterpieces in your free time or spend your days figuring out how to get humans to Mars, it can be tempting to say “no.”
But while creativity might seem like something only the Da Vinci’s and Walt Disney’s of the world are blessed with, there’s a growing body of research that suggests the trait lies with everyone. Here are five proven ways to boost your creativity and stimulate breakthroughs in your professional and personal life.
1. Look at your problems in a different light.
Could you solve the candle problem?
In this classic psychology test, subjects are given a candle, a box of matches and some thumbtacks. They’re then asked to attach the lit candle to a corkboard so the candle doesn’t drip wax onto the table below. Most people either try to pin the candle to the wall with the thumbtacks or melt the side of the candle with a match to stick it to the wall.
The solution? Reframe the matchbox as a platform for the candle to stand on and then fix that to the board with tacks.
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