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Creativity and the Brain

by rcritchett
18 replies
I used to think creativity was some gene that only the "special few" had the privilege of being born with.

That was until I learned how to use my mind. Creativity results when you release the hold of bad mental programming. If you're programmed to think "creativity is for the special few," that's bad mental programming.

If your brain references only the past, where you were not creative, that's just your brains reference system. It needs to reference something.

The truth really is, creativity is cultivated once the bad programming is out, and you actually give yourself the time to do the one thing that HURTS US OH SO BAD...THINK!

You're a genius, give yourself the credit. You'd be surprised at what you can do with ten minutes of thinking about an idea, moving right past bad beliefs or restrictive programming.

Among the many other functions, the Frontal Lobes of your Brain give you the ability to do what's called "divergent thinking." This means you have the ability to take ideas, and let them slip right past any rigid limiting mental programming. Sit down and make it a habit to do this, you'll literally start to train yourself neurologically to do it more often.

THINK ABOUT IT! Thanks for reading folks, this is RC.
#brain #creativity
  • Profile picture of the author Clara H
    Great post! Too many times we immediately set ourselves up for failure... it may seem basic, but what you can achieve really *does* come down to your mindset. I've achieved some life changing things by training my mind to think in a different way.

    While I was one of those 'creative-born people', honestly I have far more advanced creativity when I'm in the right mindset and work for it, compared to 'raw talent'.
    Now I have the opposite problem... I am so bad at maths and standard, linear logic that it hurts! That's something I need to change my mindset on, then I'm sure I could learn it.
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    • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
      Originally Posted by Clara H View Post

      Great post! Too many times we immediately set ourselves up for failure... it may seem basic, but what you can achieve really *does* come down to your mindset. I've achieved some life changing things by training my mind to think in a different way.

      While I was one of those 'creative-born people', honestly I have far more advanced creativity when I'm in the right mindset and work for it, compared to 'raw talent'.
      Now I have the opposite problem... I am so bad at maths and standard, linear logic that it hurts! That's something I need to change my mindset on, then I'm sure I could learn it.
      Great Reply! I'm totally with you on the "right mindset" for creativity, even though inherent capacities are there.

      Yea, I can also align with you on the left brain stuff! We just want to come up with ideas and leave the calculating to the logical people! Seriously though.. lol.. I have to train myself to go and do the sequential analytical stuff too. The more we do it, the more it trains pathways in the brain to do it easier. Thanks again for commenting!
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  • Profile picture of the author scortillion
    I also believe that creativity is something that is developed. Most of us have our creativity walled up when we are kids. How many times were you told to stop day dreaming and that you wouldn’t get anyplace by letting your mind wonder.

    Dreaming is your creative mind. When people teach you to shut it down and wall it off they are teaching you how to hide it, forget it. So most people think they don’t have creativity what has happen is they were taught how to bury it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Furiousx
    Negative programming is a bad thing indeed, that's where all the mental and physical problems come from
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    • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
      Originally Posted by Furiousx View Post

      Negative programming is a bad thing indeed, that's where all the mental and physical problems come from
      You got it friend!
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    • Profile picture of the author scortillion
      Originally Posted by Furiousx View Post

      Negative programming is a bad thing indeed, that's where all the mental and physical problems come from
      You are correct, yet the majority of people would prefer to feed this beast instead of taking charge of their lives and creating a successful environment for themselves. I listen to people and it is almost a contest to see who has the worst day, life or whatever.
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    • Profile picture of the author prismkuet
      Originally Posted by Furiousx View Post

      Negative programming is a bad thing indeed, that's where all the mental and physical problems come from
      I appreciate it that bad programming your mind collapse your creativity. But I think it needs sometimes to make a distinction between good and bad thing.
      Hope all agree with me.
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    • Profile picture of the author prismkuet
      Originally Posted by Furiousx View Post

      Negative programming is a bad thing indeed, that's where all the mental and physical problems come from
      I appreciate it that bad programming in mind collapse your creativity. But I think it needs sometimes to make a distinction between good and bad thing.
      Hope all agree with me.:p
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    • Profile picture of the author Ehanson
      Originally Posted by Furiousx View Post

      Negative programming is a bad thing indeed, that's where all the mental and physical problems come from
      Excellent point and an important thing to keep in mind when you're learning.

      I believe creativity can be learned. I'm what many people consider a "naturally" creative person; interested in art, writing, music, film, etc..

      It's sad when someone says they aren't good at drawing or painting or playing an instrument because people aren't born being good at anything- they have to learn like anyone else. Everyone has a creative side in them that for many hasn't been fostered or developed properly; in part due to negative programing.

      It all takes practice, practice and more practice. I'm so grateful for the encouraging people of creativity I had in my life because I wouldn't have developed the creative talents I have today.

      BTW, here's a really great video from the TED conference on creativity and learning. It's worth the watch if you have the 20 minutes:
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  • Profile picture of the author SviegertmanLive
    Sviegert Says:

    "I agree with these posts... and I personally think that creativity into action is more important than just taking action in and of itself.

    I know plenty of people that are broke and take lousy actions never getting creative about their approach and they ain't getting anywhere, so...

    It's not just taking action and implementation of information, it's taking creative action.

    Just attempting to help."
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  • Profile picture of the author YoichiSpeaks
    Right on Ryan!

    Humans are here on this planet to create. We learn from others then we create our own. If we are not creating through your own ideas, then your not providing any type of value, because someone else has already done the job, therefore your existence would be a waste. Critics and negative people suppress these creativity because its new and unfamiliar. We all need to focus on the greener grass and keep creating what is unique to you! We all have our own part in this world!
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    • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
      Originally Posted by YoichiSpeaks View Post

      Right on Ryan!

      Humans are here on this planet to create. We learn from others then we create our own. If we are not creating through your own ideas, then your not providing any type of value, because someone else has already done the job, therefore your existence would be a waste. Critics and negative people suppress these creativity because its new and unfamiliar. We all need to focus on the greener grass and keep creating what is unique to you! We all have our own part in this world!
      Man, awesome comment! You said it totally man.. "negative people suppress," great way to put it! Thanks for replying.
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      • Profile picture of the author Duy Nguyen
        "Winners Don't Do Different Things, They Do Things Differently."

        This is one of my favorite quote about how to become successful
        Although I know that "doing things differently" is not easy as it sounds, but it is the way to stand out from the crowd.

        Think about it for a moment, we in 21st century, the century of economic booms and bursts, the century of Internet. Everyone can go online and do business with others which means we have more competitors than ever before. How can we stand out and let the world know that we are there?

        Only 2 things: be creative, and be yourself!

        WE ARE UNIQUE!
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        • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
          Originally Posted by Duy Nguyen View Post

          "Winners Don't Do Different Things, They Do Things Differently."

          This is one of my favorite quote about how to become successful
          Although I know that "doing things differently" is not easy as it sounds, but it is the way to stand out from the crowd.

          Think about it for a moment, we in 21st century, the century of economic booms and bursts, the century of Internet. Everyone can go online and do business with others which means we have more competitors than ever before. How can we stand out and let the world know that we are there?

          Only 2 things: be creative, and be yourself!

          WE ARE UNIQUE!
          This is awesome!
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          • Profile picture of the author Duy Nguyen
            Thanks RC
            I know that we have a science called CREATOLOGY -- the science of creative thinking.

            How to think in a creative way is learnable, and I can list some simple techniques here:

            1) Do the reverse thing (I forgot the exact name): What would happen when you apply the reverse way of doing things?

            For example: When closing a sale, the customer says "I will find out more and call you later" all the time. If you say "OK", chances are they will never call back. But if you say "I'm sorry but that's everything you need to know about the product, if you don't decide now, I won't come back", guess what, they will rush to buy it.

            The above is a skill of closing sales, I know it by hearing Brian Tracy talking at a seminar, and I was surprised!

            2) Combine different features of different things to create another thing:

            Pick up a pen, and a flash light for example. What features do they have? Choose some of them, then combine them together in different ways, you will see some special things created! And one great combination till now is the lazer pen Feel free to create your own pen!

            3) The inner power: What is it? It's believed that everything has its inner potential and energy that can be utilized to solve problems.

            E.g: Air, at normal condition, has no power. But when it is pressed under specific conditions, it has the power of a bomb

            And there are much more useful techniques that can help human think outside the box, I haven't practiced them much, but they are wonderful and learnable. If you practice some of them everyday, you will be surprised someday!

            Feel free to "think"...
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  • Profile picture of the author Pusateri
    During the Cold War, a Soviet researcher called G.S. Altshuller conducted a systematic exploration of creativity and problem solving.

    He concluded that anything ever invented and any problem ever solved were the result of applying one, or a combination of, 40 universal principles.

    The system that resulted is called TRIZ. Its a Russian acronym that translates as "Theory of Inventive Problem Solving."

    One of the best books on the subject is Da Vinci and the 40 Answers by Mark Fox who is a former NASA engineer. Its a fun read and really gets your gears turning.

    Here are the 40 universal principles. A lot of them sound like they only apply to engineering problems, but Fox does a good job in his book of applying them to everyday business and artistic creativity as well.

    1. Segmentation
    2. Extraction
    3. Local Quality
    4. Asymmetry
    5. Combination
    6. Universality
    7. Nesting
    8. Counterweight
    9. Prior Counteraction
    10. Prior Action
    11. Cushion in Advance
    12. Equipotentiality
    13. Inversion
    14. Spheroidality
    15. Dynamicity
    16. Partial, overdone or excessive action
    17. Moving to a new dimension
    18. Mechanical vibration
    19. Periodic action
    20. Continuity of useful action
    21. Rushing through
    22. Convert harm into benefit
    23. Feedback
    24. Mediator
    25. Self-service
    26. Copying
    27. Inexpensive short life
    28. Replacement of a mechanical system
    29. Use pneumatic or hydraulic systems
    30. Flexible film or thin membranes
    31. Use of porous materials
    32. Changing the colour
    33. Homogeneity
    34. Rejecting and regenerating parts
    35. Transforming physical or chemical states
    36. Phase transition
    37. Thermal expansion
    38. Use strong oxidisers
    39. Inert environment
    40. Composite materials
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    • Profile picture of the author Duy Nguyen
      Originally Posted by Pusateri View Post

      During the Cold War, a Soviet researcher called G.S. Altshuller conducted a systematic exploration of creativity and problem solving.

      He concluded that anything ever invented and any problem ever solved were the result of applying one, or a combination of, 40 universal principles.

      The system that resulted is called TRIZ. Its a Russian acronym that translates as "Theory of Inventive Problem Solving."

      One of the best books on the subject is Da Vinci and the 40 Answers by Mark Fox who is a former NASA engineer. Its a fun read and really gets your gears turning.

      Here are the 40 universal principles. A lot of them sound like they only apply to engineering problems, but Fox does a good job in his book of applying them to everyday business and artistic creativity as well.

      1. Segmentation
      2. Extraction
      3. Local Quality
      4. Asymmetry
      5. Combination
      6. Universality
      7. Nesting
      8. Counterweight
      9. Prior Counteraction
      10. Prior Action
      11. Cushion in Advance
      12. Equipotentiality
      13. Inversion
      14. Spheroidality
      15. Dynamicity
      16. Partial, overdone or excessive action
      17. Moving to a new dimension
      18. Mechanical vibration
      19. Periodic action
      20. Continuity of useful action
      21. Rushing through
      22. Convert harm into benefit
      23. Feedback
      24. Mediator
      25. Self-service
      26. Copying
      27. Inexpensive short life
      28. Replacement of a mechanical system
      29. Use pneumatic or hydraulic systems
      30. Flexible film or thin membranes
      31. Use of porous materials
      32. Changing the colour
      33. Homogeneity
      34. Rejecting and regenerating parts
      35. Transforming physical or chemical states
      36. Phase transition
      37. Thermal expansion
      38. Use strong oxidisers
      39. Inert environment
      40. Composite materials
      That's exactly what I mentioned earlier, thanks Pusateri for your post
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    • Profile picture of the author rcritchett
      Originally Posted by Pusateri View Post

      During the Cold War, a Soviet researcher called G.S. Altshuller conducted a systematic exploration of creativity and problem solving.

      He concluded that anything ever invented and any problem ever solved were the result of applying one, or a combination of, 40 universal principles.

      The system that resulted is called TRIZ. Its a Russian acronym that translates as "Theory of Inventive Problem Solving."

      One of the best books on the subject is Da Vinci and the 40 Answers by Mark Fox who is a former NASA engineer. Its a fun read and really gets your gears turning.

      Here are the 40 universal principles. A lot of them sound like they only apply to engineering problems, but Fox does a good job in his book of applying them to everyday business and artistic creativity as well.

      1. Segmentation
      2. Extraction
      3. Local Quality
      4. Asymmetry
      5. Combination
      6. Universality
      7. Nesting
      8. Counterweight
      9. Prior Counteraction
      10. Prior Action
      11. Cushion in Advance
      12. Equipotentiality
      13. Inversion
      14. Spheroidality
      15. Dynamicity
      16. Partial, overdone or excessive action
      17. Moving to a new dimension
      18. Mechanical vibration
      19. Periodic action
      20. Continuity of useful action
      21. Rushing through
      22. Convert harm into benefit
      23. Feedback
      24. Mediator
      25. Self-service
      26. Copying
      27. Inexpensive short life
      28. Replacement of a mechanical system
      29. Use pneumatic or hydraulic systems
      30. Flexible film or thin membranes
      31. Use of porous materials
      32. Changing the colour
      33. Homogeneity
      34. Rejecting and regenerating parts
      35. Transforming physical or chemical states
      36. Phase transition
      37. Thermal expansion
      38. Use strong oxidisers
      39. Inert environment
      40. Composite materials
      This is awesome! Great comments.
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