Please.......Not Another Whack!
by Joe Mayne

Some of you remember the book by Roger Von Oech called "A Whack on the Side of the Head." He literally suggested this technique to change the way people looked at challenges. Businesses today need people who can approach the ever-changing marketplace with creativity and innovation. Have you ever said, "I'm just not a creative person."?

Creativity is the human mind coming up with ideas and solutions to challenges. Innovation is applying these ideas.

Here are five proven techniques that, if applied, will allow you to tap into your creative process.

Key 1. Think of yourself as a creative person. You need to start developing a self image that you are creative. Start to see the value of your ideas and affirm your creativity. Believe in the creative ideas that come into your mind. Emerson wrote..."to believe your own thought...to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men...that is genius."

Key 2. Cultivate a sense of curiosity. This opens your mind to input and new ways of doing things. When you're curious you want to learn and expand your horizons. Try to renew that childlike sense of wonder. Research shows that creativity is measured highest in children up to age 5. Then it declines to two percent of all adults (who test "creative") by the time we reach 30 years old. This is because we're socialized and conditioned into thinking in fixed patterns. So ask questions. Why? How does this work? What would happen if....? Then write your ideas down.

Key 3. Focus 100% of your mental energy on the problem before you. This concentration will allow you to develop insight and solutions. You can use a quick, systematic approach to problem solving:
1. Define the problem
2. Gather Information
3. Come up with no less than 20 different solutions (write them all down)
4. Evaluate each for practicality
5. Take action. Test the solution.Number five is key...most people think and plan too much and the key is to ACT.

Key 4. Focus 0% of you conscious mind on the problem. Here you should think about anything else. Put yourself in a state of relaxed consciousness. This is very powerful. Psychologists call this the "incubation phase." Your creative subconscious is taking some processing time. Let your ideas simmer.

Key 5. Associate with positive, creative, can-do people. It is proven that there is a direct correlation between a "can-do" attitude and creativity. You will find that regularly meeting with positive people will bring out your own drive to creatively approach challenges. The cost of a round of coffee and danish one morning per month with these people is a small investment in bringing out your creative juices.
These five key points, if put into practice in your everyday live or career/business challenges can truly supercharge your creative and innovative nature. So when the question is asked..." Who has a unique approach to help us solve.......?" You will be the pro-active person who steps forward. And you can take off the hard hat. There will be no more whacks!