Here's how you can enhance your creative thinking skills as a professional.

Curiosity is an essential key to enhancing creative thinking. Being curious means opening up to: - New ideas - New perspectives - New knowledge Curiosity is both the mentor and the fuel of creative thinking. It allows us to see things from different angles and establish unexpected connections. It is also this curiosity that pushes us out of our comfort zone, to experiment, and to learn from our mistakes, which is crucial for the creative process. Cultivating curiosity in every possible way enriches our thinking. It is not just a character trait (or as we say in France, a "nasty flaw"), but the indispensable element for creativity and innovation.

Create sustainable ways to reduce negative stress. Some stress can be motivating and helpful in accomplishing goals but if stress starts to negatively impact your well-being (such as clinical insomnia as an example), it is time to take a stress “inventory”. Creativity, in my opinion, can thrive under pressure but sustainability under an extensive amount of stress is not always possible. I am most creative when I have peace of mind and take regular breaks. I am also more likely to intentionally seek out creativity in myself and others when I have peace of mind.

Voyage! Discover new cultures and ways of life. Immerse yourself by trying to live like the locals. Learn! Dive into different disciplines that fascinate you. Read, watch TEDx talks, and take courses on Coursera in a different field. Interdisciplinarity is a source of innovation (think of how neurologists and marketing combined to create neuromarketing). Think! With a holistic approach, your new skills, ideas, and travel experiences, your newfound openness will make you much more creative. Mission accomplished.

Accept Failure as Part of the Process: Recognize that failure is a natural part of any creative endeavor. Accept them as normal steps in the creative journey. Practice Self-Reflection: After a failure, take time to reflect on what happened. Analyze initial assumptions and deviations from the plan to gain valuable lessons for the future. Set Realistic Goals: Break large projects into smaller, achievable steps. This allows you to celebrate small victories and stay motivated despite setbacks. Maintain a Creativity Routine: Regularly dedicate time to creative activities, even outside your main projects. This habit strengthens resilience by promoting exploration and experimentation without immediate performance pressure.

Some methodologies you should consider : Structured Brainstorming: Use clear rules in brainstorming sessions. Encourage all ideas without immediate judgment to foster trust and openness. SCAMPER Method: Use SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse) to innovate and transform existing ideas. Defined Roles: Assign specific roles like facilitator, constructive critic, or idea generator to balance tasks and encourage participation. Constructive Feedback: Create an environment for constructive feedback. Use the "sandwich" technique: positive point, constructive criticism, encouragement.

Collaboration expands our creative horizons, especially through interdisciplinary and intergenerational approaches. Engaging with colleagues from various fields and generations sparks innovation and leads to comprehensive solutions. Creating an environment that welcomes diverse ideas fosters unexpected and creative solutions. Integrating insights from different disciplines and age groups enriches problem-solving strategies, offering fresh perspectives and valuable experience that might not emerge within a single field.

My Personal Reflection Methods for Self-Improvement: Active Questioning: Ask yourself questions about the information received: who, what, where, when, why, and how. Note-Taking: Write down your reflections and ideas to better analyze them. Review them regularly to enhance and mature your improvements. Constructive Debates: Engage in discussions with people who have different opinions. I know it's not fashionable, but confronting ideas is the best way to refine your own. Self-Reflection: Take time each day to reflect on your own beliefs and biases.

➖Continuously learn about your industry, its trends, and emerging technologies. A deeper understanding allows you to identify problems more effectively. ➖When faced with a problem, dissect it into smaller components. Analyze each part to understand its significance and interconnections. ➖Collect data, feedback, and relevant information. Organize it systematically to identify patterns and insights. ➖Be aware of cognitive biases and actively seek diverse viewpoints. Consider alternative perspectives and constructive feedback. ➖Curiosity fuels critical thinking. Explore different angles and remain open to learning from others.