Nothing is New, and That's A Good Thing

It’s helpful to first explore what keeps us from being creative, what keeps us inside the box, and what keeps us from tapping into our inner well of ideas and zaniness. Roger Von Oech calls these barriers mental locks, and they are all internal dialogues that are at odds with creative thinking and rapid idea generation. In essence, they make us think too safely and conventionally, while controlled by a healthy amount of self-doubt and self-consciousness.

First, nothing is new. Everything is derivative. Most things are merely a result of being adjacent possible. And this is a good thing! Take the pressure off yourself to completely reinvent and revolutionize, and then redirect your attention to what already exists and how you can use it for yourself. Simply look around first before sequestering yourself in a quest to be 100 percent innovative.

Second, inspiration is a myth. There is no muse. There is no flash of insight or epiphany. These things do not exist. Well, at least plan for life without these things because you cannot control them. Thus, approach creativity as a skill you must cultivate, and practice it like any other skill. Key to this is gaining confusion endurance. 

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Rapid Idea Generation: Practical Everyday Creativity for Idea Generation, New Perspectives, and Innovative Thinking By Peter Hollins

Get the audiobook on Audible at https://bit.ly/rapid-idea

Show notes and/or episode transcripts are available at https://bit.ly/self-growth-home

Peter Hollins is a bestselling author, human psychology researcher, and a dedicated student of the human condition. Visit https://www.PeteHollins.com to pick up your FREE human nature cheat sheet: 7 surprising psychology studies that will change the way you think.

For narration information visit Russell Newton at https://bit.ly/VoW-home

For production information visit Newton Media Group LLC at https://bit.ly/newtonmg