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TRAIN YOUR BRAIN
As a speaker, audiences often ask me: “Can creativity be taught?” “Can you get your creative juices flowing?” “Is creative genius is reserved for chosen few?” “Where do I begin my creativity journey?” The truth is, break–through creativity is in all of us. Human brains don’t come with a manual. We are not computers with downloadable options. And we receive only limited instruction throughout our education. Over time we developed the mental software programs needed for logic, reason, and memory. There is no known way to generate creative genius, or get people to produce groundbreaking ideas. Yet, it is possible to teach different types of thinking. We are all creative and with the use of a few simple tools, we can all become even more creative. It is us. Creativity is everywhere and in everyone who has the courage to tap into his or her full potential.
The brain is the largest and most complex mass of nerve tissue in the human body. It is an amazing mechanism. It receives and analyzes messages from internal organs and from your external environment. The brain is so incredible and mystifying and our understanding so limited that we’ve barely scratched the surface of what it’s capable of! Neuroscience shows that our brains are “plastic,” which means they are capable of being reshaped, even in adulthood. Impressive, isn’t it?
Just like working out at a gym helps us become more physically fit, exercising our brains can improve our mental performance and help you become the best version of yourself. Just like a gym-training program, overnight results are not possible.
According to the latest neuroscience studies, novelty comes when we perceive things differently. Interestingly, the human mind has an innate tendency to slip into routine shortcuts so bombarding new perceptions or recalibrating our brain requires effort and soaks up a lot of energy. Have you not felt completely mentally drained when you try to be creative or innovate a bit? Certainly, yes.
It’s worth it to stick with it. Continuous training improves performance on thinking, and some training programs are more effective than others. Universities and colleges around the world have a lot of good programs about the subject. It’s also worth noting that there are self-help books, articles, and online seminars that provide information, tips, techniques, and access to creativity. You need to discover the one that’s most effective for you. Once you’ve completed the right creative thinking training program, you’ll find thinking habits will come more naturally to you.
“You can’t use up creativity.
The more you use, the more you have.”
Maya Angelou
So never dream creativity as something separate from us. Creativity is us. Yet, be careful. Remember, this is a process. It’s not easy or straight forward because, after all, creativity is not an end product. It needs direction from you. It needs energy and time. And this is what you are going to discover in this book. The book provides frameworks, advice, and tools you need to excel in your career. With real-life stories and best practices from ambitious professionals and leaders you will stand out from the crowd regardless of your leadership / management level or role.
