Can creativity be trained?

Facts and myths about creativity

It turns out that it is no more demanding than any other requirement, especially the aforementioned foreign languages. Individual aptitude for learning a language is one thing, but regularly absorbing rules and vocabulary is another. As a result, a diligent and ambitious person can outperform someone who has a "natural" linguistic gift. The same applies to creativity, although the belief that it is simply a talent still persists.

Admittedly, there are people for whom this type of thinking comes more naturally – they quickly find unconventional solutions, see possibilities where others would only see obstacles, or propose innovative approaches to problems. However, two harmful myths must be debunked. First, such people have no monopoly on creativity; it is available to everyone. Second, creativity does not have to be associated exclusively with art and is not limited to the circle of artists, however broadly defined.

An engineer with a "typically analytical mind" can be creative; you can approach daily household chores creatively, and you can teach, play sports, or even catalog data creatively. It is hardly surprising, then, that so many employers demand this very skill. However, if we understand that creativity can be practiced and that it is not an egalitarian gift from Mother Nature, it may be easier for us to develop in this direction.

The role of the brain in the creative process

Well, someone might argue that, after all, the structure of the brain determines whether such development is even possible. For a very long time, we were told that the left hemisphere is responsible for logical thinking, while the right hemisphere provides artistic talent and creativity. We were taught that this asymmetry is closely linked to whether one is right- or left-handed (according to this theory, left-handed people were supposed to be more creative "by birth").

Many years, experiments, and studies later, we know that reality is much more complex. This is because the creative process itself is also extremely complex. We engage our memory, imagination, and also emotions or motivation in it, each time with varying intensity. As a result, many areas of the brain located in both hemispheres are activated simultaneously.

Nowadays, it is more often said that in exceptionally creative people, the connections between the hemispheres are more developed, which allows the creative process to run smoothly. However, let us remember that the brain can be stimulated in various ways, constantly supporting its development. It is the same with creativity – we can and should influence it as well.

The influence of activity on creativity

We know, therefore, that creative thinking is the responsibility of various parts of the brain and the efficiency of the entire organ. It is no wonder, then, that practicing creativity is, in fact, influencing the brain in a variety of ways. Sometimes even quite surprisingly, because although we are accustomed to seating both students and office workers at desks, creativity is closely linked to movement. There are several reasons for this..

First, movement oxygenates the brain, and creative processes intensely engage many of its areas. Second, activity temporarily reduces the activity of the prefrontal cortex, which allows the brain to let go of schematic, rational thinking for a moment and shift its resources to the areas that govern creativity. Moreover, movement engages different senses, which also fosters creativity. For the same reason, it is worth, for example, speaking new ideas aloud, writing them down by hand on paper, or presenting them in graphic form. Such sensory stimulation has a great impact on creativity.

It is therefore safe to assume that if we are sitting over a blank sheet of paper and nothing comes to mind, the problem may not lie in us, but... in the sitting itself.

Movement plays one more important role – it allows the mind to rest and thoughts to "drift." An overtired and overstimulated brain will not function creatively. Meanwhile, the relaxation provided by a healthy dose of movement will work perfectly for it.

Learning as a path to creativity

While writing his flagship novel "Lolita," Nabokov was still exploring the nuances of the English language. By learning new idioms and discovering grammar that was foreign to him, he became – as he admitted himself – more creative as a writer. It is no wonder; acquiring new skills is the perfect fuel for the brain. It is no coincidence that children are famous for their creative, unconventional thinking. Their brains are constantly stimulated by the daily discovery of the world. Additionally, they use creativity to fill gaps in their knowledge. The same is true for adults. Neurologists from Drexel University in Philadelphia studied experienced and novice musicians during improvisation. The experienced ones used parts of the brain responsible for more logical thinking; even when creating, they did so based on experience. Beginners used completely different areas of the brain, replacing experience with a more innovative approach. What does this mean for us? That it is worth not only taking up learning but also creatively using the knowledge gained. When we are already experts, we stimulate different areas of the brain responsible for creativity..

A creative mind is an open mind

Learning new things isn't just about acquiring specific skills. It’s also about being open to new ideas, stories, and perspectives. Engaging with art or having a conversation with someone else can inspire our creativity. By the same token – intellectual conservatism, closing ourselves off to opposing views, and digging in our heels are the arch-enemies of both creativity and the overall development of our minds. It’s no coincidence that creative thinking is often called "thinking outside the box." The more often we step outside our patterns and daily routines, the more we train our creativity. Even if breaking the mold just means taking a different route to work or rearranging the furniture in your home.

Creativity as the art of letting go

Sometimes the best way to exercise creativity turns out to be... letting yourself off the hook. Driven by constant self-improvement, we fall into the trap of perfectionism. Relentless self-criticism mixes with shame—often precisely because we feel our creativity isn't "enough." Meanwhile, a study conducted on musicians at the University of California, San Francisco, showed that creativity is also the art of letting go. The area of the brain responsible for self-criticism, self-monitoring, and shame was virtually deactivated when the musicians fully immersed themselves in improvisation. Instead, the parts of the brain responsible for self-expression lit up.

So, instead of wondering if we are creative enough, let’s be a little kinder to ourselves. The magic will happen on its own (with a little help from brain chemistry).

References:

1. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0001679
2. https://www.o2.pl/artykul/kreatywna-i-logiczna-polkula-mozgu-to-mit-sprawa-jest-duzo-bardziej-zlozona-6498310241216641a