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The most comprehensive definition I’ve ever seen of creativity is on display at Dictionary.com. Per that web site creativity is defined as:

“the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination”.

In short creativity is the ability to bring something new and valuable to the table.  It is a firmly held belief of mine that most people sell themselves short when it comes to bringing new and valuable ideas to the forefront.  My experiences have shown me that creativity is stifled when no true source or inspiration can be discovered.  Today’s world is a treasure trove of ideas and creativity.  In order to unearth it you need to know where to look.  I can help you with that.

Baseline Ideas

On September 27, 1908 the first production Model T rolled off the assembly line.  It was largely considered to be the first affordable automobile for the masses.  At the time the standard 4 seat version could be yours for $850.  The car had a very basic design and used a hand crank as a means of start up.

Since that day cars have done nothing but evolve.  Modern cars are equipped with features like:

• Air Condition
• Power Windows
• Navigation/GPS
• Heated Seats
• Convertible Tops
• Smart Steering
•   6,7, and even 8 speed transmissions
• Remote Key Less Entry
• Blind Spot Detection

It has become a global tradition to bring something new and creative to the automobile industry with each year.  The automobile industry has flourished into a worldwide economic pillar by taking a basic idea and creatively expanding it.  That industry is run by human beings with the same skill set that you have.  If they can create new ideas, you can create new ideas.

 Competition

During times of competition human beings are forced to tear away the fabric of their limitations.  Few things in life have the motivational and creative capacity of competition.

When I joined Toastmasters there was a woman in the club who was the reigning champion of Table Topics (speaking off the top of your head with no prior knowledge of the question).  She won week in and week out with ease.  I dethroned her the first time I attempted a Table Topic.  Needless to say, she was not pleased.

We must have gone head to head at least 15 times in an 8 month span.  Each time we had to stretch farther than we had during the last confrontation.  In that time span I defeated her by telling a story backward, having an impromptu question and answer session with a founding member of the club, wondering aloud if she was reading my mind before I spoke, playfully accusing her of slander, and publicly declaring war against her reign of tyranny.  After that last one she backed down.  Since I’m a nice guy I let her share with the spoils of winning.

Without the reigning champ to compete with it these ideas would have been unnecessary and I would have never thought of them.

Brain Drain

A brain drain can be  30, 60, or even 300 minutes of constant thought without distraction.  The purpose of this activity is to sit back, relax, and let ideas flow.

Brain drains are extreme but they yield incredible results.  Unlike brainstorming you don’t stop when you come to the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd idea.  The purpose of a brain drain is to conjure up 15 to 20 high velocity ideas that you can use.

Conversations with Other People

One of the easiest ways to come up with ideas is to leverage the brain power and experiences of those around you.  People love attention and they absolutely love to feel important.  This combination can easily spell success for you when it comes to finding ideas.

While we are all immensely creative in our right there may come a time when another idea is beyond our grasp.  This is the perfect time to leverage others.  If the time comes when you need inspiration and creativity from an exterior source ask a question like “I was thinking through this scenario and I came up with a solution. If you were in my shoes what would you do?”

Questions like this give people a feeling of self-importance and status.  Creative energy is born when the ego is given a boost.  Take advantage of this situation and mine the gold you are given in their response.

Conclusion

Sources for creativity are all around you.  Your task is to find them.  In this article I have outlined several places for you to start.  All you need to do is pick a location and start digging

written by Marcus A Smith