6 Simple Techniques That Will Make You More Creative
Creativity is the driver of human progress. Without creative individuals thinking of innovative technologies and solutions, we would have been stuck in a cave rather than enjoying the comforts of an air-conditioned room. Think about it for a minute.
The first person who invented the wheel changed the whole world. And he or she invented it because they looked at a piece of log and decided that it should be cut into round shapes for better mobility when attached to a platform. If they continued to look at the wood just as wood alone, then maybe the thought of using it to create a wheel might never have entered their mind.
Even though we have progressed very far, creative thinking is still an important ingredient of success, whether it was the thought process that led to the creation of the atom bomb which gifted America victory in WWII or the Windows operating system created by Bill Gates that revolutionized computing prowess in the world, creativity is the key.
And if you are someone who is struggling to think creatively and come up with new, radical ideas to improve your life or the situation you’re surrounded with, then the following six techniques can help you open up your mind.
1. Accumulate more knowledge
Being creative requires that you have good enough knowledge about a wide range of topics. Someone who is only focused on computer engineering has a far lower chance of coming up with new, creative ideas when compared to someone who knows computer engineering, web server management, and online marketing.
While the first person will remain limited to being a chemical engineer, the latter might think of combining some computer engineering concepts with online server management to create an entirely new product or service, which they can market on a social media platform. These niches might sound random, but you never know what comes from the most bizarre of combinations.
So, do yourself a favor and start learning and understanding new things rather than only being limited to your working knowledge. As you explore hitherto unknown areas, you will start connecting the various information, helping you come up with new ideas or radical solutions to existing problems. Did I mention it is also fun to learn about new topics? When you learn new topics for just the sake of it, it takes the pressure of application away, making it more fun.
2. Answer essential questions of a topic
An easy way to make yourself think creatively is first to analyze a topic based on a few essential questions. These essential questions include – how, what, why, when, where, and who. So, if you are tasked with understanding a market for a new product to be launched by your company, look at the market and ask yourself the following type of questions:
- Why should there be a demand for your product in the market?
- Who will want to buy your product? Who will not buy your product?
- How will your product be sold to the people? How will it be marketed?
- Where will your product be sold, in all shops or at franchise stores alone?
- When will the product be launched?
- What will be the price of your product? What will be the benefits of using your product?
The checklist will allow you to start thinking about a topic. The more you think about it, the more you will question it until you understand the situation completely. And in the process, you might come up with creative ways to launch and market your product.
3. Get back to nature
Try taking a break and spending some time in nature. It can be a hike for just a few hours. Or even a long walk. But as long as it involves you walking in the forest and breathing in the fresh air, the trip should do you good.
Make it a regular activity, and your creative thinking abilities are very likely to get a boost. In fact, some neuroscience studies suggest that spending time in natural surroundings can boost problem solving and creativity of a person by up to 50%. That is definitely a good improvement considering that the only thing you have to do is to spend some time among the trees.
And many scientists have a good explanation for it. Apparently, being stuck in the concrete jungle of the cities, surrounded by numerous Wi-Fi devices and electronic equipment, dampens a section of the brain that deals with high-level creative thinking.
Hence, taking some time off from the city, and heading over to the forest is seen as a good way to get the front part of the brain to utilize itself to the fullest potential. So, the next time you feel like you are unable to think anything new – just hit the road.
4. Join a creative community
One of the best ways to start thinking creatively is to join a creative community. You should preferably look for a group which has no qualms with being supportive of any idea. For example, someone might come up with an idea to use ants as an investigative tool by hooking it up with a tiny camera and sending it into sensitive locations to gather information.
Someone else might voice an idea which requires people to beg on the streets for a day to understand the mind of a beggar. Whatever ideas they may be, as long as the community is tolerant of hearing out wildly varying opinions and offering beneficial feedback and suggestions, it is definitely a group you should join.
Having like-minded creative people around you has many benefits. For one, you won’t restrict your thinking. Instead, you will learn to embrace and express it fully. Second, the people who hear out your ideas and concepts will offer their viewpoints too. And this can lead to brainstorming sessions that can lead you forward into newer concepts.
5. Keep an ‘idea-book’ handy
Always keep an ‘idea-book’ handy. An ‘idea-book’ is essentially a small, easy to carry notepad that you can write down your ideas. No matter where you are, whether at home, office, traveling on the train, or anywhere else, jot down ideas as soon as they pop up in your mind. It need not be anything revolutionary.
The ideas can be as ludicrous and out of the world as they possibly can, but you must make it a point to record it in your book. The purpose of this exercise is not to find a solution to any problem you are currently having but to simply unlock your limitless thinking potential.
For example, when traveling by bus, you might notice that people in the bus are often hooked onto their smartphones, having minimal interest in interacting with others. And suddenly you might come up with an idea for an app that makes it easier and safer for people to connect with strangers on a bus.
Note the idea in your pad. It does not matter whether you will follow it up and actually create an app. By simply writing down ideas, you are reassuring the mind that thinking creatively or differently is okay.
After a few weeks or months, when you take out your book and read all the things you have written, you will definitely be amazed at the ideas and thoughts that came up in your mind in your observations of the world. And by that time, coming up with new ideas and concepts will be natural to you.
6. Look at things differently
The simplest way to become more creative is to train yourself to look at things differently. A mind that does not question anything, and simply accepts whatever is fed into it is a mind of a person who has no potential to be creative. Having a different viewpoint about a thing can truly help you understand it more, while also helping you expand your creative thinking process.
For example, imagine that you are a peace officer tasked with ending the conflict between two warring clans in an African jungle. The normal course of action will be to first determine what the source of the conflict is, then to contact each group and try to resolve the differences between them by bringing them to a middle ground.
Now, if the conflict has been brewing for decades, then it will be a long time before both clans even agree to sit together.
So, abandon such linear, straightforward thoughts, and start looking at the conflict from a different perspective. The people in your peacekeeping mission might be asking themselves, “why are these two clans fighting.” Instead of focusing on that, you should ask yourself, “why haven’t these two clans killed off each other even though they have been fighting for decades?”
By asking this, you focus on finding out what is common between the clans rather than the differences between them, like other people have been doing till now. And eventually, you might find some common ground that brings both the clans together.
For example, you might discover that both clans share a common myth of their ancestors having come from afar off, dreamy place. You can then use the myth to bring the clans together by reminding them that they are brothers and sisters of the same ancestor.
So, no matter what you are tasked with, train yourself to look at the subject matter from different perspectives, and you will come up with newer ways to deal with them in whatever way you wish. And in the process, you will become more creative in your thinking.
Takeaway
Tapping into your creativity boils down to letting your brain think without any restrictions and giving yourself time to actually stop and think. Jotting down everything is the best way to get everything out there and free your mind up for new ideas. You can develop something great from your most outrageous thought.
Motivation
Corporate Gifts in the UK: Trends, Tips, and Effective Practices
In the bustling world of business, it’s the little things that often mean the most. As we navigate the evolving landscape of corporate gifting in the UK, it’s time we shed a light on the trends steering the ship and the golden rules that make a gift go from ‘meh’ to ‘marvellous’. Buckle up, because we’re about to sprinkle a little magic on the corporate world!
The Bespoke Wonderland
Imagine receiving a gift that WonderDays specially selected for you, with every last detail calling your name! Bespoke gifts are all about that; they echo familiarity, a hint of homeliness in the corporate jungle. It’s about crafting experiences that resonate with individual tastes, championing the uniqueness of every relation. So, let’s champion gifts that tell a story, shall we?
The Green Revolution
We are all aboard the sustainability train, aren’t we? The corporate gifting scene is no different, with businesses now leaning towards green and glorious options.
It’s all about marrying elegance with responsibility, choosing gifts that hold meaning while treading lightly on our dear earth. Trust us; a little green goes a long way!
Supporting Local Artisans
Oh, how we love a gift that tells a tale of craftsmanship and passion! Turning to the local artisans of the UK and the vibrant stages of the West End theatre shows, we find treasures steeped in stories, waiting to add a splash of authenticity and warmth to corporate gifting.
The Ethical Compass
We know the rules can be a tad bit dizzying, but hey, we’ve got to play it fair and square, right? Navigating the legal pathways ensures our gifting adventures are both delightful and above board. It’s a delicate dance, balancing joy with responsibility, crafting memories while staying within the golden lines of ethics.
Personal Touch
Gifts that scream ‘you’ are the ones that hit home, aren’t they? Delving into the realm of personalisation, we uncover gifts that speak to the heart, echoing understanding, and shared moments. Let’s champion gifts that aren’t just objects but mirrors reflecting shared stories, memories, and a sprinkle of personal magic.
Tech-Tastic Surprises
Ah, the joy of unveiling a tech gadget that promises to sprinkle a little ease and a lot of fun in daily routines!
The corporate world is embracing tech gifts that are sleek, useful, and oh-so-cool. Think of gifts that are a nod to the future, promising not just utility but a dash of wonder and the joy of exploration.
Gifts that Live and Breathe
Who said gifts have to come in boxes? Experiential gifts are the talk of the town, offering adventures, learning experiences, and moments that live on in memories. It’s about gifting experiences that resonate, offering a slice of joy that goes beyond the tangible, diving deep into the world of experiences that exhilarate the senses.
ROI – The Cherry on the Cake
Yes, we’re talking business, but who says it can’t be delightful? Understanding the ROI of corporate gifting brings a new dimension to the scene, ensuring the act of giving circles back, fostering connections, nurturing relationships, and bringing a ray of sunshine in the corporate corridors.
As we embrace the vibrant world of corporate gifting in the UK, let’s remember that at the heart of it all lies the joy of connecting, of understanding, and of crafting memories that resonate. So, as you step into this journey, may your gifts echo warmth, understanding, and a sparkle of joy that lights up the corporate world, one magical gift at a time.
Motivation
6 Housing Options People are Turning to as Prices Continue to Climb
There’s no denying the housing market has been anything but smooth sailing for both renters and buyers. For one, interest rate hikes have made mortgages less affordable for most of the population, which has left buyers looking to invest in property having to find alternative housing options that fit their budgets.
Another complication driving buyers towards other options is that there are not enough houses to meet demand, so many buyers lose multiple bids and then get tired of the chase. Losing 10 bids in a row will make the house hunting journey lose all its excitement very quickly.
It’s no wonder other options such as a container home start to become more appealing. Which housing option would be right for you, then? Let’s dive in.
First, Why is the Housing Market Under Strain?
For years, the US enjoyed low interest rates that allowed buyers to secure affordable mortgages but with inflation rates rising and the cost of living at record highs, the interest rate honeymoon has officially ended. Higher mortgages for landlords have also pushed up the prices of rentals, making them much less affordable.
As we mentioned above, most houses end up fetching higher than their asking price after bidding wars, where many would-be buyers miss out on their dream home more than once. You can imagine how absolutely disheartening this is, because after all, there is a lot of emotion tied to buying a home.
Naturally, buyers who keep ending up disappointed and back to square one after every offer they put in will eventually feel like giving up. Many have turned to alternative housing solutions that offer a more minimalistic, affordable and nomadic lifestyle.
Storage Units
One surprising alternative housing option that is starting to gain momentum is designing a micro home within a shipping container. They can be decked out with windows and doors and fitted with a kitchen and bathroom. Containers are generally 20ft long, so they’re unassumingly big and can fit a fair amount of furniture in the interior. While compact, shipping containers offer portability, so they can be assembled in beautiful locations such as the woodlands or on a lake.
Tiny Homes
What started with a few documentaries about people living in tiny homes has turned into something of a social movement with people across the world downscaling their living situations for smaller homes.
The tiny house movement advocates for a simplified life with less “stuff”, giving you more financial freedom to travel and invest in experiences. These homes are fashioned from sheds, playhouses, containers and even tree houses, with some even being small enough to be popped onto a trailer for nomadic homeowners.
Houseboats
If you’ve ever been to London and taken a stroll along the River Thames, you will notice a number of houseboats anchored to the dock. While it may be a foreign concept to some and turn the stomachs of those who suffer from motion sickness, the concept of a houseboat is nothing new in most countries around the world.
House boats offer a compact living space for those who are adventure seekers and water lovers. They are also motorized to take you on relaxing cruises within the body of water your boat is located in. Drinks at sunset on your private houseboat deck sounds like the perfect way to destress after a long day.
RVs
Many families and couples have sold their traditional homes in favor of adopting a more nomadic lifestyle by renovating RVs to hit the road in style. You can really go all out with sprucing up your RV, going so far as to install laminate floors, quartz kitchen counters, chandeliers and soak-in tubs.
Being on the road doesn’t mean you have to give up the luxuries and comforts you are accustomed to. While undoubtedly more compact, RVs can offer a comfortable way of life for those seeking adventure.
Shared Housing
Many homeowners purchased homes while the interest rates were still low and then struggled to cover their mortgage repayments when they were hit with big price hikes. Of course, the banks and repo man don’t care that you suddenly can’t afford your repayments, so you need to make a plan.
What many people who found themselves in this situation have done is share their home with a friend, family member or advertise for a roommate. This way, you are getting help with your mortgage repayment through your roommate’s rent and can manage your repayments more comfortably.
Airbnb Empty Rooms or Self-contained Cottages
If you have an empty ensuite room in your home or a self-contained cottage on the property, you can rent it out through Airbnb and bring in a decent income that can help you pay off your mortgage faster.
Final Thoughts
Despite a tumultuous housing market making the barriers to entry for homeowners much more difficult, it doesn’t mean all hope is lost. The trend of adopting an alternative lifestyle with a mobile home, finding a roommate or renting out a portion of your home all offer ways to own a home for less in these tough times.
Motivation
Strategies for Building an Effective Dota 2 Team
Competitive video game tournaments have become increasingly popular over the past few years, with many players vying to be part of the best Dota 2 teams. For those unfamiliar with the game, Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game developed and published by Valve Corporation. In the game, two teams of five players battle for control of a map and try to destroy the other team’s ancient structure ultimately.
Players from all over the world come together in teams to compete in professional tournaments and leagues, with the top teams and players winning massive prize pools. Dota 2 is a complex game, and in order to be successful, each team needs to have a balance between individual skill, team synergy, and understanding of the meta. Here are the other strategies for building an effective Dota 2 team.
Consider the Individual Skills of Each Team Member
In order to create an effective Dota 2 team, it is important to consider the individual skills of each team member. A successful team is composed of players who can work well together to execute strategies, coordinate objectives, and ultimately win. It is also important to remember that each team member brings unique abilities to the team, and these skills must be taken into account when forming a team. By fully utilizing each player’s unique abilities, teams can create a powerful synergy that makes them stronger as a unit.
Develop a Team Strategy and Plan
A powerful team strategy and plan are essential for any Dota 2 team looking to be successful. Not only does it provide an advantage against opponents, but it is a crucial tool for team coordination, team building, and communication. With a well-thought-out and structured team strategy and plan, players have a clear understanding of the team’s expectations and goals. This allows the team to see the bigger picture, think creatively, and come up with the most effective strategies in order to capitalize on the strengths and capitalize on weaknesses of their opponents.
Foster Team Communication and Collaboration
In a competitive Dota 2 match, communication and collaboration are essential. It is important to bring players together who understand each other and can work together to develop a strategy that will be successful. Communication and collaboration allow the team to make decisions quickly and efficiently so that all five team members can work together in harmony and understand the importance of their individual roles.
Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
Identifying individual team members’ strengths and weaknesses is the key to unlocking a successful, productive, and cohesive team. It’s an important part of team building and can be the difference between success and failure.
When you have a clear understanding of each team member’s strengths and weaknesses, you can leverage them to create an effective team. For example, suppose you have one team member who is particularly strong when it comes to strategy and analysis. In that case, you can assign them tasks that require those skills while assigning other tasks to team members that excel in other areas.
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