3 Fun and Helpful Ways to Exercise Creative Thinking at Work

Location-independent work has become the status quo for most workers. What was once a workplace disruption has now become routine. Try not to be stuck in a rut wherever you station yourself. 

You may have already established a ritual for working from home by now, but make sure to change things up now and then. Being comfortable is one thing, but complacency is another. Studies even reveal that working from home can hamper your creativity. Apparently, It can hinder your inventiveness and make you appear too settled. If you feel this way, try some exercises for creative thinking. These activities are easy to do, yet they can do wonders for your productivity.

What Is Creative Thinking?

Many believe that creativity has to do with talent. So, when a person declares that they can't draw or sing, they immediately dismiss their ability to think creatively. It's easy to assume that those working in creative or artistic roles, such as illustrators, writers, artists, musicians, and designers, are bursting with ideas. However, thinking outside the box is not limited to specific professions. 

Creative thinking is being able to come up with ideas beyond the obvious. Yes, you can see it in videos or social posts, but you can also see it in smooth operations or even dealing with employees. Creative thinking is valuable at work, where everyone is encouraged to find innovative solutions to issues, especially in the digital age. Current workplace philosophies like "implement fast" and "fail fast" require workers to find creative solutions quickly and easily. 

The ability to think outside the usual can help expand your skills, invite new perspectives, think long-term, and improve your company's value chain. Does this sound good? Before getting into creative exercises that boost out-of-the-box thinking, it is necessary to recognise the different forms of creative thinking that exist so you know how you can apply them.

Different Forms of Creative Thinking

As mentioned, even the most straightforward jobs will require some creativity for better planning, strategy, and execution. Creative thinkers constantly seek alternative ways to do something. Their minds are permanently in improvement mode, challenging tried and tested methods for efficiency's sake.

There are several ways to express creative thinking. Find out which type you are. Remember that you're not limited to just one. 

Being analytical

Analysing a problem and making sense of facts or data before you are facets of creative thinking — after all, any problem that requires a solution needs to be understood first. Analysing things to see what they mean shows your ability to see patterns and connect the dots. It applies to various fields, including science, business, finance, the academe, and tech. 

Being open-minded

Finding alternative ways to do things requires being receptive and willing to try the new and unexpected. Approaching a problem with an open mind allows you to think of more creative ideas. Staying closed off limits your options apart from convention — restricting your imagination. 

To start thinking creatively, maintain an open mind by setting aside any assumptions or biases. Also, have the gameness to view things from a different perspective.

Being adept at problem-solving

Problem-solving is perhaps one of the most tell-tale forms of creative thinking. Finding answers demonstrates how quickly you can comprehend a situation and adapt.

Swiftly coming up with solutions also proves your knack for ideating creatively, which is a plus at work. After all, employers understand the asset of having a creative employee that can help solve work-related issues large and small.

A person with a penchant for problem-solving can foresee and analyse different resolutions before asking for help. These are called multi-dimensional ideas, which can help you discover more solutions to repetitive problems. 

Having a sense of organisation 

We know what you are thinking: creative people have a reputation for being messy. Yet some creative professionals do have the ability to be organised – or, at least, work within their system.

While it may seem more method than madness, organisation takes up a significant part of creativity. You just need to put your ideas together so others can understand and follow through with your vision.

Communication 

Having strong communication skills, whether written or oral, is a powerful indicator of being a creative thinker. Good and effective communication is preceded by comprehension. That means you also need to be a good listener. You may come up with a unique solution by asking the right questions and listening to the answers.

3 Ways to Exercise Creative Thinking at Work

Once in a while, we run into a creative block and need a way to get the brain juices flowing. It is when exercises for creative thinking come in handy, as it helps unblock creativity and stimulates the mind.

These exercises for creative thinking do not even have to be complicated — all you need are simple and fascinating activities that help switch on your ideas, help make work better, and also allow you to unwind after a long day at work.

• Developed by Bob McKim and later used in Tim Brown’s TEDTalk on creativity, the 30 Circles Test is a quick way to stimulate your ingenuity. Give each person a pen, pencil, or marker; and a sheet with 30 circles. 
• Give everyone a chance to fill as many of the circles into recognisable objects in three minutes. 
• Players can compare each other's results: look at how many circles they filled in and how diverse the answers are. Did anyone use the spaces outside the circles or combine two circles to make a picture?

Ernest Hemingway allegedly wrote one of the greatest short stories of all time when someone bet him that he couldn't write a story with only six words. He wrote: ‘For sale: baby shoes, never used.’ 

• Prepare by having paper and writing materials ready. 
• Next, think about a story idea that you can whittle down to six words — contractions such as “I’m,” “they’re,” and “don’t” don’t count. 
• The game's objective is fun, so just share your stories with the group when you’re done!

This game is simple to play yet pays off in exercising your mind as these are everyday objects reimagined completely. 

• First, think of 10 objects around your home and write them down on a sheet of paper. 
• Then, think of as many different uses as you can for each item. Don’t be afraid to put down functions that seem too big or silly.

You can also play this with a group — have five to ten objects, usually household items, prepared; display each object and ask your colleagues to suggest new uses for them. Have a blast listening to ideas – some will be outstandingly brilliant, some just downright absurd – that the group comes up with!

Exercising creative thinking will open new opportunities for you, whether it's a new skill or even a new job prospect. If the next step is to move on to a new career opportunity, then #LetsGetToWork! Jobstreet can help you find the right role that motivates you and compensates well according to your creative skills and abilities.

For more expert advice on enhancing productivity and climbing up the career ladder, visit the Career Resources page. You can also download Jobstreet’s app available on the App Store and Google Play.