Originate for Creativity
Originate is a Create 8 skill that enhance creativity. Whether you’re solving problems, navigating relationships, or adapting to change, building the creative skill, originate, can help.
Originate
Origination is the process of generating new and unique ideas. This broad concept includes various activities, such as discovering novel uses for everyday items or formulating unconventional, “out-of-the-box” solutions. While often linked to innovation, originality is distinct. Innovation refers to the tangible product, idea, or method that results from origination, whereas originality is the creative skill that drives human progress.
Original ideas are crucial for advancing society. Everything in our modern world once began as an original idea. Central to creative thinking is the balance required in originality. An idea must not only be new but also practical. Ideas that are too far-fetched are often dismissed as unrealistic. Therefore, when honing the skill of origination, it’s important to not only generate new ideas but also consider their feasibility.
Brainstorming is a key method for developing the skill of origination. Beyond merely listing ideas, incorporating seemingly crazy ones can enhance original thought. Engaging in far-fetched ideation activates new cognitive connections, expanding the brain’s access to knowledge and improving the originality of ideas.
Practicing Originate: idea Notebook
An idea notebook is a tried-and-true tool, but recognizing its role in boosting creativity and well-being can be a fresh incentive to start using it again. Whether digital or traditional, the key is to fill your notebook with ideas, sketches, artifacts, or web links—anything that sparks your interest. Quotes, pictures, memorabilia, and spontaneous thoughts are all valuable.
Set aside time each week to review your entries, and when the notebook is full, store it safely. Revisiting past notebooks each year can provide insight into how your original ideas have developed over time.
meditation for Originate
Sit comfortably, placing one hand on your belly and the other on your heart.
Close your eyes or lower your gaze.
Inhale through your nose, sending your breath into your belly.
Exhale through your nose, feeling your breath leave your belly.
Inhale again through your nose, this time filling your lungs with air all the way up to your heart.
Exhale through your nose, feeling your breath leave the top of your lungs first, then empty your belly.
Continue this breathing pattern, focusing on your breath.
When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
Set a timer for 3 minutes and continue this practice.
Living Creatively
Originate is one of the eight essential skills for enhancing creativity, helping in problem-solving, relationships, and adapting to change. It involves generating new and unique ideas through activities like finding novel uses for everyday items or thinking “out-of-the-box.” While related to innovation, originality is distinct, focusing on the creative process rather than the end product. Effective origination requires balancing novelty with practicality. Brainstorming, including far-fetched ideas, can strengthen this skill by expanding cognitive connections.
To practice origination, an idea notebook is a useful tool for capturing and reviewing ideas, sketches, and inspirations. Revisiting past entries can help track the evolution of original thoughts.
Additionally, mindfulness exercises, such as focused breathing, can enhance the originate skill by centering attention and fostering creative thinking.