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Picture this.

The hot coffee blows wisps of steam across the table, as you stare at your empty laptop screen.

You’ve been trying hard to get this blog post flowing for a few weeks now, but every time you sit down to write, you just can’t get the words out.

The blinking cursor mocks you as you sit there lost on how to move forward.

All of a sudden, you stand up and take a look out the window. It’s a beautiful, sunny day outside and you look back at your laptop and make a spontaneous decision.

You’ll tackle the blog later. It’s time to go outside and get some fresh air.

During your walk, all of a sudden, ideas begin to spring forth in your mind. You start to look at your blog from different angles and all of a sudden you know what needs to be done.

Rushing back from your walk, you slam the door shut and sit next to your cold coffee, hammering away on your keyboard.

Are you surprised by this outcome?

In this edition of The Path Toward Purpose we’re going to explore Unlocking Your Inner Creativity: Tackling Problems from Innovative Angles and why often, creativity can be found in the most unlikely places.

Let’s get into it…

 The Foundations of Creativity

Creativity cannot be treated like a task.

Purely because, to create is not a task-oriented activity. When you perform tasks, you think laterally and act towards a specific outcome.

However, when you create, the outcome is not going to be set in stone. Rather, the goal posts will shift as you integrate more knowledge and perspective into your refinement process.

Creativity is a synthesis of the world around you. As humans, we are in our most creative flow, when we are presently observing the world around us and getting inspired in our lives.

 The Mental Framework

Your brain uses two opposing hemispheres to perform analytical tasks and creative tasks.

The left side of the brain is used purely for analysis and involves deconstructing the world around you. It’s great for task oriented objectives.

The right side of the brain is harnessed for creativity. To be creative, you must learn to use this part of your brain effectively, as it will provide you with a solution for just about anything.

Yet, the problem of getting stuck arises when you try to be creative, from the incorrect model of thinking. It’s like rowing a boat upstream - far more difficult.

 How-To Apply This

To solve any problem, you must be creative..

Analysis can work for more simple problems, but in larger, more grandiose ones such as the principles of life, you must think outside of the box to find long-lasting solutions.

Here’s a process you can use:

Step 1.

Look at the problem from your perspective. Try as hard as possible to come up with a solution using your available resources.

Now, close your eyes.

Push yourself further into your mind and imagine that there’s someone behind you. They’re watching you struggle with this problem.

Put yourself into their shoes and their thoughts. How might they provide an alternative solution?

What might they say or even better, what might they do?

This is a technique of perception. It will help you emotionally untangle yourself from the problem so you can see it from alternative angles.

Step 2.

If your current environment isn’t working for you, then change it. Immediately.

This doesn’t mean uprooting yourself, but it can mean making adjustments to make it more conducive for thought.

For example, if you’re trying to write in a terribly unclean room, then it’s unlikely you’re going to make any progress.

You need to have your environment in good order, and if it is and you’re still stuck, then momentarily change it.

Go for a walk, hit the gym, call a friend.

Switch tracks momentarily so your brain can decompress and rediscover inspiration.

Step 3.

Sometimes, the solution is in the problem.

Perhaps you might have spent a lot of time in your life, trying to resolve something significant, that turned out to be a minor problem.

You just didn’t have the tools at your disposal to solve it.

This applies the same logic.

We don’t create something out of nothing. Rather, we create something out of something.

Meaning, if you are facing a problem, don’t sit there and struggle internally. Rather, look for resources that can help you. Speak to someone that can provide you feedback.

You don’t have to be alone to be creative, you need to be collaborative.

🚀 Next Steps

Creativity is the soul essence of the human race. The world around us is a spectacle of human ingenuity and how far we can take our creative sense to build greatness. When you learn to harness your creativity, it’s going to change your life as you’ll no longer be bogged down by every obstacle that comes your way.

You’ll learn to flow, adapt and use your newfound creativity not just in your work, but also in problems that arise. Thinking laterally is great to understand the problem, but to solve it, you must think outside of the box and create your own solutions.

Next time, I’ll be deconstructing the importance of following your purpose. Not just for a job, or a career, but to establish your Life’s Work. What legacy will you leave behind on this planet? We’ll take a look at why this keeps you motivated and how it can revolutionize your entire life. I can’t wait to share this with you!