Embracing Incomplete Ideas – And Imperfection

Monday, 06. 8. 2009  –  Category: Enversa Companies

When trying to think creatively, many people take the completely wrong approach. Although there are no hard and fast rules regarding creative thinking, what is certain is that mapping out every inch of an idea is sure to stifle creativity and hamper the thought process entirely. In other words, creative thinking needs to flow; getting to that initial idea – or spark – is the important part. Over thinking it can kill it. Once it’s there, you can become more regimented in developing it, but coming up with an idea in the first place often requires an ability to think incompletely.

Incomplete Ideas
If you are developing a new item – whether it be for work or for your own personal pleasure – getting the ball rolling can be difficult. Brainstorming something from scratch can lead to many dead ends; studying too many concepts for inspiration can lead to unintentional copying. How do people come up with truly original, effective ideas? A key part of the process is actually leaving out a detail or two. Regardless of what you are trying to create, allowing it to have a blank space or two will give your brain the freedom to think more creatively.

When writing a novel, some writers do come up with a rough outline about how the plot will progress; this can help them keep their facts straight – and keep the time line from becoming muddled. However, writers who insist upon penciling in every last detail of each paragraph they compose run a great risk of coming to a total standstill creatively. Their brains are not allowed to “roam”, and as they write, they find themselves copying their outline and not writing in a flowing manner. Ultimately, this strategy leaves many budding novels crumpled up in the trash can.

Instead of planning every minute detail of a novel, then, it is best to write only the most basic outline to provide structure. The gaps can then be filled by the writer’s imagination as they compose the story. Creativity flourishes, and several interesting twists and turns may naturally occur that otherwise never would have. Many great writers confess to beginning their masterpiece with little idea as to how it would end up; this is a prime example of an incomplete idea and how it can be a very beneficial thing.

A Drive For Perfection Stifles Creativity
Similarly to mapping out every last detail of a new novel, the simple act of aiming for perfection in any creative endeavor can doom one to failure. Going with the flow is crucial to creativity; obsessing over the perfection of every last detail can stop things dead in their tracks. Allowing yourself the freedom not worry about making things precisely right can really make new ideas flourish.

There is no manual for achieving creativity; each person has their own tricks. However, there is no question as to how incomplete ideas and leaving room for imperfection can facilitate the process. Rather than looking at a blank sheet of paper as an obstacle, embrace it as a welcome challenge; and by keeping  these points in mind your creativity should skyrocket in no time.

Tags: creativity, innovation, Marc Pickren