The importance of creativity for changemakers

When you hear the word creativity, you might think of drawings in a sketchbook or paintings hanging in a gallery. But creativity isn’t just about making art — it’s about using your imagination to see the world in new ways and solve problems in creative ways. In other words, being creative means thinking outside the box. And that can be helpful in all sorts of situations.

For example, let’s say you’re trying to come up with a solution to a problem, and creativity can help you come up with new ideas and find different ways to approach it. It can also boost your mood and confidence, and help you express yourself in healthy ways. Creativity is often seen as a frivolous pursuit, but its importance in the learning process cannot be overstated. When students are encouraged to be creative, they learn to think outside the box and to view problems from different angles. Creativity helps you to develop critical thinking skills and to find new and innovative solutions. Moreover, creativity can help you express yourself and to communicate your ideas differently. It can also boost self-confidence and self-esteem. In a world where jobs are increasingly being automated, creativity will become even more important, as it cannot be replaced by machines. Therefore, it is essential to foster creativity for success in the 21st century.

Being creative doesn’t mean you have to be an artist or a musician. There are many ways to express your creativity, and it can be helpful in all aspects of your life. Here are three simple tips to help you get started:

1. Be open to new ideas. One way to become more creative is to start looking at the world with fresh eyes. Pay attention to your surroundings and notice things that you normally take for granted. Once you start seeing the world in a new way, you’ll be surprised at the ideas that come to you. One of my favourite things to do now when presented with a challenge is to flip it around and ask myself “how is this an opportunity in disguise?”
2. Take risks. Another way to unleash your creativity is to start taking risks. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it seems a bit daunting at first. The more you step outside of your comfort zone, the more likely you are to come up with original ideas. Whenever I get scared to take a risk, I ask myself “what’s the worst that could happen?” If you find yourself listing embarrassment as a potential ‘risk,’ I can almost guarantee it’s worth a shot.
3. Be persistent. Creativity often requires trial and error, so don’t give up if your first attempt doesn’t work out exactly as you’d hoped. Keep trying new things and eventually you’ll find something that clicks. And who knows? You might just surprise yourself at how creative you can be. Sometime when I try new things, and inevitably suck at them (shocking I know, I’m not good at everything,) I have to remind myself that not only is that normal, but that’s good— because there’s always room for improvement. Imagine if you were just automatically good at things on the first go, and there was little room for you to actually get better. I don’t now about you, but I’d lose my drive to keep at it pretty quickly. Embrace the opportunity for improvement!

So go ahead and experiment, take risks, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box — your creativity might just surprise you! approach that everyone has used before, you might not find the best solution. But if you tap into your creativity, you might come up with a genius idea that no one else has thought of.