When it comes to art, one of our biggest worries is often how talented we can be, or come up with better ideas.
Research in this area is ubiquitous, but I have collected some of the most useful lessons to help you apply some techniques that can increase your intelligence. All of these lessons are useful for everyday creativity in everyday life, so try a few more to see which ones work best for you.
9 ways to enhance your creativity
1. Restrict yourself
Research shows that the most common problem people have is that they tend to take a “little bit” approach, building on the ideas they already have or trying to use all available resources.
The fact is that research also suggests that setting personal boundaries can enhance art because it forces intelligent people to work outside of their comfort zone (which they no longer have, even if they "survive" more than most).
One of the most famous examples was when Dr. Seuss produced Green Eggs & Ham after a bet when he was challenged by his editor to produce the whole book in less than 50 different words. Personally, I have found that when I was suddenly forced to write something in the form of a short form, like an Instagram bio, it could lead to some good creative work.
Try to limit your work in some way and you can see the benefits of your brain coming up with creative solutions to complete the project around the parameters you set.
2. Re-conceptualize the problem
One thing that researchers have come to realize is that intelligent people are more likely to think about the problem than their creative counterparts.
That means, instead of thinking about the purpose of ending the suspension in certain situations, they sit down and evaluate the problem in different ways before starting work.
Here's a straightforward example - as a writer in charge of marketing content launcher, my ultimate goal of "cookie-cutter" is something like "write popular articles." The problem is when I go to a story with the thought, "What can I write that will get more tweets?", I will not come up with anything better.
However, if I go back and look at the problem in another way, such as: “What kind of topics do people really hear and take their interest in?”, I focus on the most important part of the problem, and I will achieve some of my goals by coming up with something real.
So, if you find yourself standing still focusing on common problems (“Would it be nice to paint it?”), Try rethinking the problem by focusing on the meaningful part (“What kind of painting evokes the feeling of loneliness we all experience after a breakup?”).
3. Create psychological distance
While it has long been known that quitting (and, moreover in time) helps to break the creative block, it seems that creating a “psychological” distance can also help.
The subjects in this study were able to solve dual cognitive problems when asked to think about the source of the work how far away, rather than being too close.
Try to imagine your creative work being cut off from your current location/location. According to this study, this can make the problem more accessible and can encourage higher-level thinking.
4. Daydream, and then get back to work
Although research after research confirms that dreaming and sleep can help with the thought process, there is one research item that everyone seems to be leaving out…
Some research in particular shows that if a little work is done on a problem, a little dream will help you.
That is, daydreaming and hibernation are very effective in a project that has already invested a lot of creative efforts in it.
So before you try to use sleep and daytime dreams as an excuse not to work, be honest with yourself, and don't forget to get busy first!
5. Embrace something absurd
While I will be putting the case in a more “weird” experience over time, in the meantime, you need to know that research suggests that learning / encountering something absurd or surreal can help increase pattern awareness and creative thinking.
(Articles in this study have read Franz Kafka, but issues such as Alice in Wonderland have been raised by psychologists)
The conclusion is that the mind is always trying to understand what it is seeing, and surreal/irrational art puts the mind on "overdrive" for a short time while trying to do what it is just watching or reading.
I like to read short stories like The Last Question or browse absurdist art in places like r / HeavyMind where I am looking for some inspiration.
6. Separate work from consumption
Also known as the “suction mode,” this method has been shown to help with the incubation process and is more effective than trying to combine work with creative thinking.
It also makes sense - we often have two very different mental states when we take a job and when we try to create something.
I’ve found that my writing is ruined when I try to manage research + writing at the same time, and I’m much better off if I just turn off my “performance mode” and use more inspiration in the way I read, watch, and watch.
7. Create during a powerful mood
For a long time, research has pointed to happiness as the ideal condition for intervention.
Recently, a new study on creativity in the workplace has made this bold conclusion:
Creativity has increased when positive and negative emotions are at work…
The implication seems to be that although some negative emotions can be the founding killers, they are not as universal as positive emotions (happiness, happiness, love, etc.) in that they can sometimes promote creative thinking rather than prevent it.
I don’t want you to put yourself in a bad mood to create something, but the next time you’re in a strong emotional state, try to sit down and focus on that energy in building something, the end result can be helpful.
8. Get moving
Is it any wonder that ‘More Exercise’ is one of the most desirable good habits in the world?
Other studies have also suggested that exercise can also enhance creative thinking, thanks to its ability to beat hearts and put people in good shape. It is similar to how some research shows that thinking about love can produce many creative thoughts; it is not an action, a change of mood.
If you're stuck in a creative process and want to take a break, try incorporating exercise while your mind is working casually, it can help speed up the "Aha!" Your moment.
9. Ask, “What might have been?”
Depending on the research surrounding the process of mindfulness, you look at the situation that has already arisen and ask yourself, "What could have happened?" it can promote art in the short term.
According to a review by Jeremy Dean:
Analysis problems are best addressed with a subtraction concept: thinking about what would be taken in this situation.
Extended problems have benefited greatly from additional contentious thinking: thinking about what would be added to the situation.
A case of a truly weird experience
Creation comes from an unexpected quest and entry without your experience. —Masaru Ibuka
Think of some brilliant people you know (yourself!)… They are more likely to be described as “weird” than the less intelligent people.
According to research, the cause of this is often that these people are subjected to strange things, or are pursuing a completely different experience (perhaps the two are related?).
Researchers have found, for example, that intelligent people are often the victim of traumatic events in their lives. But you don't have to worry about needing a sad event to be creative! Researchers have also found that people with art are more likely to follow an unusual experience, as this study reveals that living abroad is linked to art in general.
In a recent study (2012) on art, the leading researcher concluded that…
“… A variety of experiences help people to break free from cognitive deficits and thus lead to more flexible and constructive thinking.”
The belief that many people hold, but now there is strong evidence: comparisons with different control groups have shown that a divisive feeling - defined as active (but not strange) involvement in an unusual event - increased mental flexibility rather than active (or unconventional) participation in "normal" experiences.
Why is that? The answer is not entirely clear, but some research points to things like familiarity and setting up as creative assassins, and these two things often “fight” with a novel and a different experience.
What, then, is the key to success? Research at this point seems to indicate that it is about the weirdness of the person around, or that doing things outside of your normal patterns is not enough to encourage ingenuity, rather than having a “weird” set of things to do that applies to everyone.
So make sure you get out there and squeeze your comfort zone… don’t just take it too busy!
Can you develop wisdom by thinking about others?
Another interesting paradox in the field of art seems to be what many of us would call, "luck for beginners." In fact, a number of studies have shown that the one thing that often hinders human creativity is their existing knowledge.
If, for example, you are writing a song, you are probably the type of person who fills in with a certain style of uplifting music. This awareness is often at odds with “the beginning,” as your head is full of music and you often hear, “This has been done before…” when you try to create something new.
Many talented people struggle with this problem, but what can be done about it?
Based on research surrounding the Construal level of psychological level, the answer may remain by thinking about the process of creation with "incomprehensible" words rather than physical words.
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