Your brain on creativity
Do you know how your brain interprets creativity? (Image: Gerd Altmann for Pixabay)
Welcome to another post in this series on brainstorming and encouraging creativity.
This is one of my favorite subjects – how the brain works.
As you may recall from a previous post on brainstorming and creativity, many people have the perception that they’re either creative or they’re not. This is a real shame because it’s actually the way our brain functions that determines whether we are open to being creative or not. Let me explain…
The brain’s job
The brain is designed for two things: 1) to keep you safe, and 2) to respond to, and classify, information that is certain and predictable.
The brain as Protector
In its mission to keep you safe, your brain can interpret any deviation from what’s familiar – even something as small as hearing a new idea – as a threat. This can trigger a fight, flight, or freeze response and prevent you from thinking rationally, let alone creatively. So, to keep you safe, the brain reinforces habitual behavior – which means you’re more likely to approach problems the same way each time, and respond the same way over and over. This is one reason why people think they aren’t creative.
The brain as a Search Engine
One of the strongest habits the brain has is to sort data because this leads to certainty and predictability, which feels safe. Your brain automatically classifies incoming information based on previous experiences and observations. This system is highly effective for processing lots of information and batching new information with existing data that is similar, but this preference for familiar information also keeps you locked into old thinking habits. And this creates another reason why people think they aren’t creative.
The Brain on Creative Thinking
These neurological limitations are why we need to be intentional about creativity and use creative thinking tools. These tools are a way of taking the brain by the hand and gently leading it to a new way of thinking and playing with information. On their own, creative thinking tools can be effective, but what really makes this approach work is your mindset. If you go into a brainstorming session with an open mind and a willingness to be uncomfortable with some ideas you hear, then your brain will feel safe and engage with creative thinking tools. I’ll be introducing some creative thinking tools in upcoming posts.
TIP
I’ll end here with a tip to encourage empathy for those (including yourself?) who don’t think they are creative:
Reflect on assumptions you may be making about whether you, and other people, are able to think creatively.
I believe that, with the right support anyone can learn creative ways to solve problems. If you’d like to see what tapping into creative potential could look like at your place of work, contact me at Ellia@ThePotentialCenter.com to arrange a call.