I wish I knew where this came from - I've used it for years in lots of classroom settings and would love to give credit to the author.
It's a good self-check - it can be sooooo easy to restrict our thinking as adults, so remember these pitfalls to getting creative....
- The Right Answer!
This fallacy---that there is only one correct solution to
any problem---keeps us from considering other solutions and it halts our search
for ideas.
- That’s Not Logical!
Logic is fine for the development and applications of
ideas, but in the creative phase of thinking, it’s merely restrictive. A lot of people bring practical attitudes
into the creative process early on and nothing gets developed.
- Follow the Rules!
Most revolutionary ideas have been just that---disruptive
violations of the existing principles which upset the old order.
- Be Practical!
In other words, stifle your imagination. An idea killer.
- Avoid Ambiguity!
That is, look at any situation in only one fixed way. Another idea killer!
- To Err is Wrong!
Not to err is not to experiment. If you fail, you learn what doesn’t work and
you get an opportunity to try a new approach.
If you’re not failing now and then, you not being very innovative.
- Play is Frivolous!
People with a playful attitude tend to come up with a
lot more ideas.
- That’s not MY Idea!
This is the curse of people with very sharp minds, but
whose thinking is very narrow and focused, so they miss a lot of ideas. There are good ideas all over, but it’s hard
to see the dynamite idea behind by looking twice as hard in front of you. The creative people are really hunters: they
look in other areas for fresh ideas.
- Don’t be Foolish!
If we never tried anything that made us look ridiculous,
we’d still be in caves.
- I’m not Creative!
The worst of the locks---a self-condemnation that
diminishes talent, opportunity and intelligence.
Do you restrict yourself by any of these mental locks?
