Thinking begets Creativity, by Olurotimi Odejayi

Olurotimi Odejayi

To be creative requires having a clear mind for thinking as well as for receiving inspiration. This however demands that you have prior skill in a particular field of endeavour and be familiar with the kernel of this field of endeavour. This is preferably what you have been practicing on a daily basis. This daily practice gives you an insight into how you can go about doing things in your own unique way. The next thing is for you to ponder. By this, I mean you think deeply so as to be inspired. This must be a specialized kind of thinking that I call “out of the box” thinking, which should eventually produce a newest distinct concept or idea.

“Out of the Box” Thinking!

The phrase “out of the box” is an expression that describes non-conformal creative thinking. The term is used as an adverb to describe the thinking or as an adjective to describe the ideas. It requires openness to new ways of seeing the world and a willingness to explore new ways going forward. Out of the box thinkers know that new ideas demand inner introspection and pondering. They stay put on this pondering status until a new way to doing things eventually come up. This further needs nurturing and support; they also know that having idea is good but acting on it is more important. Creativity is what counts here. Thinking inside the box means accepting the status quo. For example, Charles H. Duell, Director of the US Patent Office, said, “Everything that has been invented has been invented.” That was far back in the year 1899; clearly, his opinion shows that he was in the box. In-the-box thinkers find it difficult to recognize the new trend of an idea. An idea is an idea. A solution is a solution. In fact, they can be pigheaded when it comes to valuing a creative idea. They rarely invent time to turn a mediocre solution into a great solution. Thinking outside the box requires these seven day-to-day attributes:

  • Willingness to see new perspectives to (the existing status quo) day-to-day work.
  • Openness to do different things in different ways.
  • Focusing on the value of finding new ideas and acting on them.
  • Striving to create value in new ways.
  • Listening to other professionals in your field.
  • Supporting and respecting others when they come up with new ideas.
  • Embracing CODDP (Consistent Day-by-Day Practicing) as a culture.

 

I am a thinker, who are you? If you are a thinker as well, then you will end up being a creative youth. In the fast-paced world of information technology, employers of labour for example, often say they are looking for someone who thinks out of the box. It is your thinking that begets creativity. Think!

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By ODEJAYI OLUROTIMI OLUSEUN.

Odejayi works in the ICT department of the Lead City University, Ibadan, Nigeria. He started his writing career in 2006 as a Columnist for Everycampus Newspaper. He is the author of the motivational book “DARE TO PONDER”. In in 2014, he published the Maiden and second editions of the publication “INSPIRING YOUNG LEADERS” Magazine. You can view few of his works on the following websites: www.daretoponder.com, inspiringyoungleaders.com and www.iyoungleadersmag.com.