Creativity is often seen as a mysterious and elusive quality, one that is an innate gift that can’t be learned or developed. But the truth is, creativity is something that can be cultivated and developed with effort and practice, and it is available to anyone who is willing to put in the necessary work.
The truth is that creativity is not a ‘gift’ or something that is only given to some lucky few. It is a skill that can be acquired and honed by anyone. While some people may be more naturally prone to creative thinking, anyone can learn to think more creatively if they have the desire to do so.
The key to creative thinking is to be open to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. Rather than trying to stick to an existing way of thinking, be open to exploring new ideas and looking at things from different angles. This can help you to come up with fresh and innovative solutions to problems.
Media often portrays creatives as possessing quirky personalities and remarkable talent. Research has also highlighted multiple personality traits that are associated with creativity, such as openness to fresh experiences, concepts, and outlooks.
This combination paints a seemingly bleak picture for those who consider themselves traditional thinkers, and for those who do not have roles in the creative sector – including those that are usually thought of as conventional and non-creative, such as doctors and lawyers.
Creativity is not something that is exclusive to certain people or professions – it is something that is regularly engaged in, often without us even realizing it. Furthermore, it is a skill that can be developed and enhanced. As professionals, it is important to recognize this fact.
Recent research findings indicate that a reframing of a challenging situation can increase the creativity of conventional thinkers. This approach can be beneficial and, if employed, can lead to higher levels of creativity.
Utilizing imaginative thinking to manage emotions
Creativity is often described as the production of fresh, useful ideas. It is a process that involves thinking outside the box and coming up with new and unexpected yet feasible concepts.
On a daily basis, creativity can be seen in many forms, from concocting imaginative dishes from leftovers to devising innovative solutions to everyday tasks or combining different clothing items to create a unique style.
Practicing emotional reappraisal is another way to alter your feelings toward a situation. This involves being creative and breaking away from your existing views and forming a new outlook. As an example, if you are feeling frustrated about a sudden bill expense, it can be seen as a learning experience and may help to reduce the negative emotion.
Framing a work presented as an opportunity to share ideas can help alleviate anxiety, rather than perceiving it as a high-stakes performance. With a professional tone of voice, this approach can help avoid the risk of potential demotion.
If you are feeling upset about a conversation where someone appeared to be overly aggressive, it may be beneficial to reflect on the situation and consider that the behavior was likely not intentional but rather unintentional. In a professional manner, this will help you to gain a better perspective on the discussion.
Examining the association between creative thinking and emotional reappraisal, the research involved a survey of 200 people. Results indicated that those with higher creativity scores were more likely to engage in emotional reappraisal on a regular basis.
The research team sought to explore whether emotional reappraisal may be utilized to hone creative thinking abilities. In other words, could the connection between emotional reappraisal and creative thinking be utilized to help people become more creative? With a professional tone, they aimed to investigate the potential for people to exercise emotional reappraisal as a means to cultivate their creative aptitude.
The team conducted two experiments, involving 455 participants, to explore how different approaches to managing emotions can be effective. Participants were presented with scenarios designed to elicit an emotional response and were instructed to either suppress their feelings, distract themselves by thinking of something else, or reappraise the situation from a different perspective. Some participants were also left with no guidance as to how to manage their emotions. The results of our experiments provide valuable insight into how best to manage emotions.
The participants were asked to use their professional creativity to come up with solutions to a problem at work. Those who employed a technique of reappraisal produced ideas that were more innovative than those who had used suppression, distraction, or had no instructions.
Cultivating a flexible mindset
It is natural to experience negative emotions in the workplace and in life. However, it is important to be mindful of these feelings and to cultivate flexible thinking, rather than attempting to hide or ignore them. By developing the ability to think adaptively and embrace change, we can more effectively manage our emotions and navigate difficult situations. This requires a professional attitude and approach.
Work managers should be mindful of the implications when considering how best to make use of their workers’ skills. Human Resources may often assess job applicants’ creative potential from certain indicators, however, these indicators may not be reliable indications of performance and could potentially restrict managers from accessing employees whose expertise and experience can be highly beneficial for creative results.
The findings indicate that a considerable portion of the workforce may be underutilizing their creative potential. Supervisors can create training and interventions to nurture creativity in their personnel – even those who may not seem likely to possess it.
Furthermore, the research indicates that individuals can exercise flexible thinking in daily scenarios when they are confronted with negative feelings. Although they may not have power over external occurrences, they do have the freedom to decide how to cope with emotional circumstances – and they can do so in ways that better their productivity and well-being.
