Why You’re Not as Creative as You Could Be (And How to Fix It)
In a world that wants us all to be the same, stepping outside conventional thinking could be one of your superpowers.
Breaking free of your conventional patterns and approaching problem-solving freshly and creatively will set you apart in your personal and professional lives. Instead of performing a task for the sake of it, take ownership of the problem and solve it creatively.
It's easy to bind ourselves to one way of thinking.
As if that is the only way to approach a problem or opportunity.
The key to thinking outside of the box is to challenge your assumptions, shift perspective, and break away from routine. Try to combine unrelated ideas, ask better questions, and embrace constraints, including the ones you put on yourself.
In the pursuit of thinking outside of the box, I've found that there are five mistakes everyone makes.
In today's newsletter, we're going to cover the five mistakes keeping you from thinking outside of the box and what you could do instead.
1) They Accept Assumptions As Truth
People don't realize how much they're operating within inherited "rules" or norms.
The assumptions you picked up from your parents, extended family, friends, acquaintances, and your community. By the time we're fully baked adults, we've been indoctrinated into a certain way of thinking. It can be almost impossible to break away from "rules" or norms you've spent your whole life adhering to, and it's not your fault.
Meanwhile, assumptions lock you into predictable outcomes and blind you to creative alternatives. However, once you're aware of this disadvantage, you can begin the process of rewiring your mind.
The fix would be to challenge every assumption you have. Question "the way it's always been done," even something like your commute or your approach to your job.
2) They Stay In One Perspective
People tackle problems only from their own point of view.
It's usually their default mode of operation since it's easier to look at any given opportunity the way you always have. Some might think they have lived a life, their perspective is important and above others, but that simply isn't the case. All perspectives are valid.
Limited perspectives lead to limited solutions. The same solutions used time and time again. In today's world, you have to be able to stick out, otherwise you will never be seen. You won't get that raise or that promotion you've been dying to get.
The fix would be to shift your perspective. Use childlike wonder or a beginner's mind to approach the opportunity. I would also suggest imagining the issue from a competitor's or even a chef's angle--anything to jolt your thinking into a new frame of mind.
You may even want to pose the questions, "What would [insert a person] do in this situation?"
3) They Cling To Their Routine
They expect fresh ideas while doing the same thing in the same environment.
To achieve something you've never had, you must do things you've never done before. Being locked into a routine that has served you many times over won't allow you to think outside of the box. Why? Nothing has changed. Change is a catalyst for the extraordinary.
Routines put the brain on autopilot, which kills creativity. To be creative, you have to switch it up.
Therefore, the fix to this mistake is to break your routine. Change locations, switch tasks, or form new habits. Even something as small as reading in a different room can trigger new thoughts and feelings.
Start small. You don't have to reform all at once. However, you must take an active role in changing your routine, otherwise, you'll slip back into your usual routine.
4) They Look For Obvious Or "Safe" Solutions
People try to stay rational or “realistic” too early in the process.
It's easy to do what has always been done when faced with challenges and opportunities. When starting, just like in brainstorming, you don't want to judge the possibilities, but rather, embrace them. There are many examples of companies that stuck with the "safe solution" and now they don't exist.
Examples include Blockbuster, Party City, and K-Mart.
Creativity is stifled when you try to filter or judge ideas too soon. So the best way to overcome taking the safe route is to have fun with the process.
Have fun, play, and experiment as much as possible. Allow yourself to sketch absurd ideas or brainstorm without judgment. That's how breakthroughs happen.
5) They Avoid Constraints
People believe that unlimited time or resources will help them be more creative.
What I have found is setting limits, whether they are time-bound or otherwise, can enhance the creative process. For example, think of Disney. For the longest time, they didn't allow for adult language in their films. This limit allowed them to lean into other elements to make some of the most classic films and series.
Now, when we hear an adult word in a Disney film, our ears perk up. We pay attention, because it's unexpected.
Too much freedom leads to decision paralysis. I'm sure you've been there before. Not able to select an item because you're afraid to make the wrong choice out of dozens or hundreds.
When we place limits on our projects, it narrows the focus and allows us to center our attention on other elements that could elevate what we are doing.
The fix here is simple: embrace constraints. Set a time limit, remove a resource, or give yourself a weird challenge. Constraints force lateral thinking--they're not barriers, they're springboards.
Quick Recap: 5 Solutions To Thinking Outside The Box
Challenge every assumption you have.
Shift your perspective, whether to your childlike wonder, as a beginner, as your competition, or chief.
Break your routine--change locations, switch tasks, or form new habits.
Have fun, play, and experiment as much as possible--allow yourself to sketch absurd ideas or brainstorm without judgment.
Embrace constraints--set a time limit, remove a resource, or give yourself a weird challenge.
Ready to break your own creative barriers?
Don’t just read about it--try it. Assess what's giving you the most issues, and tackle it with one of the solutions provided. Feel free to share it in the comments.
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Reading this reminded me of when I was stuck on a project for weeks and I convinced myself I just wasn’t “inspired.” Looking back, I see now that I was clinging to old routines and playing it way too safe. If I’d had this newsletter then, I think I would have broken through sooner. The way you lay out the blocks and the solutions makes it feel possible to shift. Like creativity is something we can all access by using the right keys. Loved this Idris Elijah and congrats on the Masterclass!!
You mentioning Blockbuster really hit- such a clear example of what happens when you cling to the “safe” solution instead of thinking creatively. It instantly made me think of how Netflix took the opposite route and completely redefined the space by leaning into bold, unconventional thinking. No more going to the video store on a Saturday night. Now we can stream our movies from home! That contrast brought the whole lesson to life for me. It’s such a powerful reminder that the riskier, more imaginative path is often the one that actually survives and thrives. Good stuff as always Idris!