Majority of us are under the impression that creativity is a God given gift and only to a chosen few. But the fact is that all of us can become creative in one or the other way.
As Ben Jonson says:
      A good poet is made, as well as born.
      In fact, all of us are creative enough in our own little way. Thus creativity is not just inspiration but it is hard work and perspiration too. Below are some ways by which one can develop the creative power in him:
Drill the creative muscle
      Use the creative muscle by indulging in mental games. Now-a-days many mental games are available on computers and mobile phones. If none is available to you, the other best option is to try and find as many alternative uses as possible for everyday items like spoons, glasses or pens.
Read as much as you can
      Read as much as you can other than your area of concern. Experts say that the best way to spur one’s imagination is to first read works of fiction and after that for great creativity, one should immerse in the world created by great poets.
Sometimes, break the rules
      It doesn’t mean that there aren’t other ways to look at something or use it just because it has been done always in a certain way. Instead one should go ahead and be different. An example is the barbecue-seller who uses a fan not to cool himself but to wind the coals in order to intensify its heat for preparing barbecue.
Be curious enough
      Curiosity is the most effective tool to fuel your creativity. It is an established fact that if Isaac Newton hadn’t been curious about the falling of an apple, we wouldn’t have known about the Law of Gravitation. Therefore, ask as many questions as you can and don’t accept answers if they don’t make sense to you.
Build castles in the air
      At times, you should day dream. For instance, think of that breakthrough invention that would revolutionize the human life. It is said that most of the inventions were born out of a single idea.
Scrutinize the things
      Observe the things keenly and appreciate them. As Einstein once remarked, “Where the world ceases to be the scene of our personal hopes and wishes, where we face it as free beings admiring, asking and observing, there we enter the realm of Art and Science”.
Don’t discard any idea
      Be nice to your ideas, however absurd they may seem. Treat your ideas like a gardener treats a plant sapling. Give your ideas time to grow and develop before we put them to test.
Always carry a note book
      Creative ideas can come to you at any time and anywhere. So always keep a small notebook in your pocket to write down your ideas.
      To sum up, it is important to note that one should not wait for that elusive moment of inspiration to produce his masterpiece because creative ideas are rarely the outcome of lightening flashes of inspiration.

(The writer is working as lecturer in  Education Department and can be mailed at mailjm_gul@ yahoomail.com)

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST