Creativity, that mysterious spark that drives innovation and art, has had a fascinating evolution throughout history. From being considered a gift from the gods to being seen as an exclusive attribute of artists and inventors, the understanding of creativity has changed radically.
From Divine to Scientific: A Journey through the History of Creativity Initially, creativity was viewed as a celestial gift, with humans being mere channels to materialize this divine inspiration in the world. Over time, this notion evolved, and creativity became the distinguishing mark of artists and musicians, considered exceptional beings endowed with innate talent. However, this idea of "special beings" was notably demystified in the 1990s with the development of the dominant hemisphere model. This model suggested that everyone could work on their skills and develop the weaker side of their brain, be it the logical (left) or the creative (right).
Today, science has taken this understanding even further. We no longer simply talk about brain hemispheres but high and low-intensity networks, referring to the electrical connectivity between neurons. This implies that a person with more interconnected neurons has more pathways to generate creative solutions. This modern view, linked to neuroplasticity, teaches us that creativity is not defined by one side of the brain but by the quantity and quality of connections in multiple brain areas.
Igniting Adult Creativity So, how can we "ignite" and connect our neurons to generate greater neuroplasticity and, therefore, greater creativity? Unlike childhood, where the formation of neural connections occurs at a rapid pace, in adulthood, this process is more intentional. In short, the formula would be: Creativity = Connected and Active Neurons. And to keep neurons active, it's essential to learn new skills and apply them.
Strategies to Enhance Neuroplasticity in Adulthood Explore New Learning Horizons: Make a list of everything you've always wanted to learn. Research how you can start and apply that knowledge. For example, if you want to cook Mediterranean food, learn some recipes and share them with family and friends.
Change Your Learning Space: Consider redesigning a space in your home or finding a special place outside of it for learning and experimenting, sending a clear message to your brain that this is a place for learning.
Develop Skills through New Choices: Engage in hobbies or activities that force you to develop new skills. This will not only bring you joy but also provide transferable skills to other areas of your life.
Prioritize Learning in Your Life: Learning often ends up at the bottom of people's to-do lists. Remember that to have an active old age, you need physical muscle and a well-stretched, educated, and oxygenated mind.
Learn Something Outside of Your Comfort Zone: If you feel uncomfortable or frustrated when learning something new, give it a chance. Developing that skill may significantly improve your creative capacity.
Challenge Your Preconceptions: Make a list of your beliefs and question their immutability. Learning to see the world from a different perspective can open you up to new learning possibilities. There's always time for coffee with people different from you.
Daily Mental Exercises and Travel: Don't forget to do the typical things. Travel to experience and learn, and engage in activities that challenge your mind, such as thinking of different uses for everyday objects or imagining what the flavors of colors would be. These exercises can be a fun and effective way to foster creativity.
Creativity in Adulthood: Beyond Brainstorming Sessions Being creative in adulthood is not limited to participating in brainstorming sessions (corporate folks, take note). It is more of a habit, a way of designing life. Developing creativity is, in my opinion, a way to savor life, to enjoy every experience and learning opportunity that comes your way. It is a hook to reduce turnover, a way to improve your products, a tool to make your service have the wow factor, and a way to become lifelong learners.
To explore more about this fascinating topic and discover how you can enhance your creativity, I invite you to follow me on LinkedIn and consider my participation in your events or talks. Let's advance together on this exciting journey of creative discovery!