Creativity exercises

Creativity exercises

Creativity exercise # 1 Make an ideas wall

Make an ideas wall. Put up ideas when they pop into your mind.

When you study the wall now and then, try to make connections between the ideas.

Adapted from https://issuu.com/rosalythr/docs/what_is_creativity_the_bookv2 Page 32.

Creativity exercise # 2 Do a brainstorming

When you are tired at a time during a day, try using that time to do a brainstorming exercise.

http://bigthink.com/natalie-shoemaker/5-exercises-to-help-boost-creativity-divergent-thinking

Further inspiration

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brainstorming-the-disney-method-1449101 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brainstorming-the-SCAMPER-method-1452356

Creativity exercise # 3 Try something.

Then try again.

Step # 1 Think of a problem you have.

Step # 2 Try out an idea that can help solve the problem.

Step # 3 If it doesn’t work, try something else. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial-and-error

Further inspiration https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-can-we-understand-the-problem-1531110

Creativity exercise # 4 Turn circles into new products and/or services

During the next 2 minutes, please draw and/or write - in the circles - as many new services or products of a company you work for or want to work for.

Inspired by Tim Brown. http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play.html

Creativity exercise # 5 Do the opposite of what is tradition

Try to think of a tradition in any area.

Now, try to do the opposite.

http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/reversing-assumptions-technique/

Further inspiration

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-can-we-reimagine-the-restaurant-experience-1453613

Creativity exercise # 6 Find new uses of something

In the next 15 minutes, try to discover as many healthcare related uses for your smartphone as you can – including the use of mobile apps.

Creativity exercise # 7 Copy an idea from another team

Part A The team / department, who copies an idea from another team / department and uses it to create more value, gets a prize. https://hbr.org/2012/12/a-simpler-way-to-get-employees-to-share.html

Part B The team / department, that gets an idea copied by another team / department, also gets a prize. https://hbr.org/2012/12/a-simpler-way-to-get-employees-to-share.html

When people in team A observe how people in team B and C etc. do their work, they may learn to do other things and/or do things differently. https://hbr.org/ideacast/2016/07/teaching-creativity-to-leaders

Creativity exercise # 8 Set up constraints

Very successful initiatives like the music event ”Barely Opera”, http://www.rickshawstop.com/event/793735-barely-opera-san-francisco/, show that constraints can help speed up creative thinking.

Examples of constraints:  Make the event happen in 2 weeks.  Ticket price: Maximum USD 10.

https://hbr.org/2016/06/what-design-thinking-is-doing-for-the-san-francisco-opera https://medium.com/stanford-d-school/want-some-creativity-crank-up-the-constraints-5728a988a635#.qz4brozij

1. Which constraints cannot be ignored now?

2. Which constraints can be ignored now?

https://hbr.org/ideacast/2016/07/teaching-creativity-to-leaders

Creativity exercise # 9 What would you do if you were someone else?

Step A Please think about a problem you have at the moment.

Step B Imagine what each of these people would do if he or she had the same problem:  What would the person, you have a problem with, do?  What would your best friend do?  What would the best teacher, you ever had, do?

Sources http://www.amazon.de/Creativity-Demand-Ignite-Sustain-Genius-ebook/dp/B00MJCAK0W/ page 134. http://celestinechua.com/blog/25-brainstorming-techniques/ http://www.managementexchange.com/blog/so-you-want-be-creative-genius https://spark.adobe.com/blog/2016/05/31/10-exercises-to-spark-original-thinking-and-unleash-creativity/

Creativity exercise # 10 Invite an external person to your next meeting

Research shows that bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds can enhance the flow of ideas, making people more open to new information and finding ways to integrate it into solutions. http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-discipline-of-creativity/

What about inviting an external person to your next meeting?

http://designshack.co.uk/articles/inspiration/10-tips-for-effective-creative-brainstorming http://www.destination-innovation.com/articles/top-tips-for-a-great-brainstorm-session/

Creativity exercise # 11 Connect the dots

Without raising the pen, try to connect all the dots on the next page with 4 straight lines.

You have 3 minutes.

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End

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 Start

Having this exercise in mind, how can you satisfy needs, users have, in new ways?

Further inspiration https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Needs-that-people-have-1530997

Creativity exercise # 12 Connect boxes

Without crossing lines, try to connect  A with A,  B with B, and  C with C.

C

A

A

B

C

B

C

A

A

B

C

B

Having this exercise in mind, how can you satisfy needs, users have, in new ways?

Creativity exercise # 13 Count squares

Question # 1 How many squares can you find in the picture on the next page?

Question # 2 How did you arrive at this number? https://hbr.org/2013/04/whats-the-connection-between-c

Further inspiration

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-main-ingredient/201606/four-easy-ways-exercise-your-creativity https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-can-we-deliver-health-care-2318302

Creativity exercise # 14 Time travel exercise

Step A Please think about a problem you have at the moment.

Step B Now think about how you would have solved / solve the problem  10 years ago.  10 years from now.

Further inspiration http://celestinechua.com/blog/25-brainstorming-techniques/ https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-do-people-understand-time-1844187

Creativity exercise # 15 Take a bus ride

Composer Steve Reich took a ride in the subway around New York when he was stuck.

Inspired by http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/creative-practice-tips-from-brian-eno/

Creativity exercise # 16 Walk ‘n talk with yourself or with others

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Walk-n-talk-exercise-2801890

Creativity exercise # 17 Do sports

Research shows that doing 30 minutes of aerobic exercise increases our ability to solve problems creatively.

The effect lasts for up to 2 hours after we've finished exercising. http://www.fastcompany.com/3061704/five-surprising-science-backed-ways-to-boost-your-creativity

Research shows that people people, who exercise 4 times a week, are able to think more creatively.

http://everybodywalk.org/read/1468-lacking-inspiration-exercise-found-to-boost-creativity.html

Exercise stimulates neurogenesis within the hippocampus.

This means that exercise will increase the a person’s ability to form creative ideas within the brain.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/pulse/improving-creative-process-may-be-one-benefits-exercise-352536

Further inspiration https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-brain-1500203

Creativity exercise # 18 Take a shower

Step A Take a shower.

Step B Relax. Let your mind wander.

Inspired by http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/creative-practice-tips-from-brian-eno/

When you are showering alone, you're in a personal space, free from negative feedback, quizzical stares, and other distractions. http://www.inc.com/magazine/20031001/strategies.html

Showering is a relaxing and stress free experience. That helps set your mind free.

http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2014/09/20_reasons_why_1.shtml

As we scrub under the shower, our minds revert to a sort of neutral state in which we are receptive to issues or themes that bother us or that are unresolved. http://www.inc.com/magazine/20031001/strategies.html

Further inspiration https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-do-you-handle-stress-1496360

Creativity exercise # 19 Stand somewhere

While standing under the shade of an apple tree, Sir Isaac Newton saw an apple fall to the ground.

Newton asked himself questions: Why should that apple always descend perpendicularly to the ground? Why should it not go sideways, or upwards, but constantly to the earth’s center?

The concept of gravity was born.

http://jamesclear.com/creative-thinking

Creativity exercise # 20 Sit next to an empty box

http://thinkjarcollective.com/tools/five-metaphors-that-actually-foster-creative-thinking/

Creativity exercise # 21 Play with children’s toys http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/this-simple-trick-can-make-you-more-creative.html

Creativity exercise # 22 Question everything like a kid

Acting like a kid and questioning everything, you'll come up with the most unexpected insights.

http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2010/10/how-to-quickly-and-easily-be-more-creative/ http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-unlock-your-creativity-according-to-science-2016-9?IR=T/#get-out-4

Creativity exercise # 23 Take a small personal risk

Write down 5 acts that constitute personal risk-taking upon which you promise to act.

Then fold the paper into a pea and place it in your pocket. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-one-lifespan/201209/cultivating-creativity-in-the-classroom

Creativity method # 24 Imagine you are on a date with a person you find attractive

Research shows that if people imagine themselves being on a date with a person they find attractive, they think more creatively.

http://www.fastcompany.com/3061704/five-surprising-science-backed-ways-to-boost-your-creativity