How to start thinking outside the box

Do you remember, as a child, when you were in constant awe of the world around you?

Everything was interesting and exciting, and you had this never-ending enthusiasm, always asking questions, eager to learn as much as you could. When I was young, I played outside until the sun went down and would lose myself in a coloring book for hours at a time. Ah, life was much simpler back then.

Sadly, as time passes, many of us lose our childlike curiosity and sense of wonder. The responsibilities and stress of everyday life get in the way, and we stop seeing the world through a pure lens; we stop admiring and appreciating the simple things. We don’t make time for fun and lose sight of our creative pursuits.

It’s a shame because the people who maintain their young, curious spirit are the ones who make a real impact in the world. They are the facilitators of positive change.

“There are those much more rare people who never lose their curiosity, their almost childlike wonder at the world; those people who continue to learn and to grow intellectually until the day they die. And these usually are the people who make contributions, who leave some part of the world a little better off than it was before they entered it.” – Psychologist William Herbert Sheldon

So what does curiosity have to do with creativity?

When you’re curious, you open your mind to exploring and embracing the unknown. Your passion to learn allows you to see the possibilities, and this gets you to think in an entirely new way.

To put it simply, curiosity is what makes us more creative. The first step to unlocking your creative potential is to get curious.

Follow your interests

For example, if you’ve always enjoyed photography, spend an afternoon in nature simply walking around. Disconnect from technology and be completely in the present moment.

If you have yet to discover your passion, here’s a fun exercise: walk into a library and start browsing the shelves. Someone who is truly curious may not have something specific in mind. By looking at a variety of subjects, you may be surprised at what sparks your interest. This is more effective than going online because there’s no search filter option. It’s exciting to explore and be spontaneous.

Be observant

Try to engage all of your five senses and look for the details that most people miss. Draw what you see or write it down – however you prefer to express yourself.

Take Marcel Proust, for example. He “spent almost his whole life people-watching, and he wrote down his observations, and it eventually came out in his books,” according to Scott Kaufman, psychologist at NYU.

Be brave enough to ask questions

All the great philosophers and thought leaders asked the questions nobody else thought to ask. Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, Bill Gates – they all took risks and didn’t look back.

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” –Walt Disney

Are you ready to discover a creative voice that’s entirely your own? On November 11, 2017, I will be hosting a workshop, “Self-Discovery Through The Lens of a Camera,” with my friend and visionary photographer Laurie Klein.

Join us and experience a healing journey through the lens of a camera. All you need is your smartphone and a willingness to tap into your creative expression.

Take advantage of our limited time Early Bird Special: $165 per person – a $30 savings off the regular price of $195 per person. Sale ends August 25, 2017!

 

Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.