6 Tips for a More Creative You, According to Aggie Experts

While the word “creativity” might bring to mind people like William Shakespeare, Leonardo da Vinci or Steve Jobs, being creative isn’t just reserved for feats like writing “Romeo and Juliet,” painting the “Mona Lisa” or inventing the iPhone. Creativity is for everyone to practice anywhere, from helping kids learn in the classroom to solving problems in the boardroom. But conquering creativity is often easier said than done, so we asked three Texas A&M University professors for their tips on how to find your own creative spark.

Trust the Process
Dr. Hector Ramos ’15

Choose what’s excellent, not what’s fast.
“When problem-solving, you can find creative solutions by asking yourself, ‘What are three different ways I can do this?’ Next, determine which solution is the most useful to your problem. Seeking input from someone with experience can also help refine your ideas or trigger a different solution. Throughout this process, remember to not just settle for fast solutions but to aim for excellent ones.”

Embrace failure.
“When engaging in creative problem-solving, your solutions won’t always work, and sometimes you’ll fail. Then, there’s the realization, ‘I should have thought of this instead.’ Document these moments. The best thing is to write them down. Journaling about your solutions and thinking processes makes creative problem-solving easier to replicate. Knowing what fails is part of the process to understand excellent solutions.”

Keep an Open Mind
Dr. Steven Smith

Think outside the block.
“Creative mental blocks occur when we’re using usually useful knowledge in a situation where it doesn’t apply and constrains us from other possibilities. For instance, if the power is out and your phone is dead, you might be so focused on your need for a flashlight that you overlook the scented candle in the room that can provide light. But if you recognize your wrong connection and reject it, you can consider other possibilities. The creative response to break past the mental block is not the dominant response, though, so you sometimes need to change your perspective by taking a walk or going on vacation to break through the constraints you put on yourself.”

Never stop learning.
“There’s no true expert model to be more creative, but you can’t be creative without knowledge or expertise. Learn something new every day. The most important things in science are the questions that need to be answered, so carry your questions with you on the drive to work or while walking the dog. Letting your mind wander will help you find solutions.”

Reach Beyond Yourself
Dr. Jinsil Hwaryoung Seo

Collaboration is key.
“Collaboration enhances creativity. Without teamwork, you miss out on fresh ideas and valuable feedback. Successful collaboration begins with knowing those you’re working with, understanding their perspective and putting yourself in their shoes. This mutual understanding makes you more open to feedback and fosters a receptive environment. Through collaboration, you transform ideas into actionable outcomes.”

Try it with tech.
“Integrating art and technology creates a virtual world that allows for greater flexibility and tolerance for mistakes. In this technological space, you can innovate, experiment and learn from errors with ease. A virtual environment thus enhances creativity and fosters education while providing unprecedented opportunities to practice ideas never before imaginable.”