提高创新能力的20个技巧(How to Boost Your Creativity)

According to cognitive psychologist Robert J. Sternberg, creativity can be broadly defined as "...the process of producing something that is both original and worthwhile" (2003). Creativity is all about finding new ways of solving problems and approaching situations. This isn't a skill restricted to artists, musicians or writers; it is a useful skill for people from all walks of life. If you've ever wanted to boost your creativity, these tips can help.

　　按照认知心理学家罗伯特.斯腾伯格的说法，创新可大致定义为“......创造既新颖又有价值的东西的过程”（2003年）。创新其实就是寻找解决问题和将要处理情形的新途径。这不是仅限于艺术家、音乐家或作家的一种技能，它是一种对各行各业都有用的技能。如果你曾想要提高自己的创新能力，下面这些技巧可以给予你帮助。

1. Commit Yourself to Developing Your Creativity

1. 全身心投入

The first step is to fully devote yourself to developing your creative abilities. Do not put off your efforts. Set goals, enlist the help of others and put time aside each day to develop your skills.

　　第一步就是要全身心投入地去发展你的创新能力。不要放弃你的努力。设定目标，争取别人的帮助，每天花点时间发展你的创新技能。

2. Become an Expert

2. 变成一个专家

One of the best ways to develop creativity is to become an expert in that area. By having a rich understanding of the topic, you will be better able to think of novel or innovative solutions to problems.

　　发展创新能力的最好方法之一就是成为这一领域的专家。通过对课题的深入理解，你将能够更好地去思考问题新颖的或者创新的解决方案。

3. Reward Your Curiosity

3. 奖励你的好奇心

One common roadblock to developing creativity is the sense that curiosity is an indulgence. Rather than reprimanding yourself, reward yourself when you are curious about something. Give yourself the opportunity to explore new topics.

　　发展创新能力的一个常见障碍是：感觉好奇是一种胡思乱想。当你对某事感到好奇时，不要斥责自己，而是要奖励自己。给自己一个机会去探索新的课题。

4. Realize that Creativity is Sometimes Its Own Reward

4. 认识到有时创新本身就是奖赏

While rewarding yourself is important, it is also important to develop intrinsic motivation. Sometimes, the true reward of creativity is the process itself, not the product.

　　奖励自己很重要，但同样重要的是发展内在的动力。有时，创新的真正奖励在于其过程本身，而不是产品。

5. Be Willing to Take Risks

5. 乐于冒险

When it comes to building your creative skills, you need to be willing to take risks in order to advance your abilities. While your efforts may not lead to success every time, you will still be boosting your creative talents and building skills that will serve you well in the future.

　　当开始发展你的创新技能时，为了提升自己的能力你必须愿意承担风险。你的努力可能不会每次都最终成功，但依然会增强你的创新才能和发展未来可用的技能。

6. Build Your Confidence

6. 建立自信

Insecurity in your abilities can suppress creativity, which is why it is important to build confidence. Make note of the progress you have made, commend your efforts and always be on the lookout for ways to reward your creativity.

　　对自己能力的不自信会抑制你的创造力，这就是为什么建立自信是如此重要。记录下你已经取得的进展，表扬自己做出的努力，并且总是设法来奖励你的创意。

7. Make Time for Creativity

7. 为创新投入时间

You won't be able to develop your creative talents if you don't make time for them. Schedule some time each week to concentrate on some type of creative project.

　　如果你不为创新投入时间，你将无法发展自己的创新才能。每周安排一些时间，集中花在某些类型的创意项目上。

8. Overcome Negative Attitudes that Block Creativity

8. 克服阻碍创新的消极态度

According to a 2006 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, positive moods can increase your ability to think creatively. According to Dr. Adam Anderson, senior author of the study, "If you are doing something that requires you be creative or be in a think tank, you want to be in a place with good mood." Focus on eliminating negative thoughts or self-criticisms that may impair your ability to develop strong creative skills.

　　根据在美国国家科学院学报上发表的2006年的一项研究指出，积极的情绪能够提高你创造性的思考能力。据这项研究报告的首要作者亚当.安德森博士说，“如果你正在做需要有创意的工作，或者在一个智囊团，你会想在一个有好心情的地方。”着重消除那些可能会损害您发展创新能力的消极想法或自我批评。

9. Fight Your Fear of Failure

9. 克服失败的恐惧

The fear that you might make a mistake or fail in your efforts can paralyze your progress. Whenever you find yourself harboring such feelings, remind yourself that mistakes are simply part of the process. While you may occasionally stumble on your path to creativity, you will eventually reach your goals.

　　担心你可能会犯错或者你的努力将会失败，这会阻碍你的进步。每当你发现自己有这样的感觉，提醒自己：错误只是过程的一部分。虽然你可能偶尔会在创新的道路上跌倒，但是你最终会达到自己的目标。

10. Brainstorm to Inspire New Ideas

10. 激发新思路的头脑风暴

Brainstorming is a common technique in both academic and professional settings, but it can also be a powerful tool for developing your creativity. Start by suspending your judgment and self-criticism, then start writing down related ideas and possible solutions. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible in a relatively short span of time. Next, focus on clarifying and refining your ideas in order to arrive at the best possible choice.

　　头脑风暴是一个在学术界和专业领域常用的技术，但它也可以作为开发你的创新能力的强有力工具。首先把你的判断力和自我批评放一边，然后开始写下相关的想法和可能的解决办法。目标是在一个相对较短的时间内产生尽可能多的想法。接下来，重点明确和细化自己的想法以达成最佳的选择。

11. Realize That Most Problems Have Multiple Solutions

11. 认识到大多数问题都有多个解决方案

The next time to approach a problem, try looking for a variety of solutions. Instead of simply going with the first idea you have, take the time to think of other possible ways to approach the situation. This simple activity is a great way to build both your problem-solving and creative thinking skills.

　　下次处理问题的时候，尝试寻找各种解决方案。不要简单地依赖你最初的想法，花时间去思考下其它可能的办法来处理这种情况。这个简单的举动对于培养你解决问题能力和创造性思维都是一个很好的方式。

12. Keep a Creativity Journal

12. 记创新日记

Start keeping a journal to follow your creative process and track the ideas you produce. A journal is a great way to reflect back on what you have accomplished and look for other possible solutions. This journal can be used to save ideas that can later serve as future inspiration.

　　开始写日记，记录你的创新过程，跟踪你的创意。日记是反思你已完成工作并寻求其它可能解决办法的一种非常好的方式。日记可用于保存想法，以便以后可能成为未来的启示。

13. Create a Mind Map

13. 创建一幅脑图

A mind map is a great way to connect ideas and look for innovative answers to questions. Create a mind map by writing down a central topic or word. Next, link related terms or ideas around the central word. While similar to brainstorming, this technique allows for branching ideas and offers a very visual way of seeing how these ideas are linked.

　　脑图（思维导图）是将各种想法联系起来并寻求问题的创新性答案的好方法。要创建一幅脑图，首先写下一个中心议题或者单词，然后围绕中心词链接相关的因素或者想法。虽然类似于头脑风暴，但这种方法允许有分支的想法，并提供了一种非常直观的方式看到了这些想法是如何相互关联的。(译者：推荐开源脑图软件FreeMind）

14. Challenge Yourself

14. 挑战自己

Once you have developed some basic creative skills, it is important to continually challenge yourself in order to further advance your abilities. Look for more difficult approaches, try out new things and avoid always using the same solutions you have used in the past.

　　当你已经有了一些基本的创新技能，重要的是要不断地挑战自己，以进一步提升自己的能力。寻找更困难的解决方法，尝试新的事物，避免总是使用你在过去使用的相同的解决方案。

15. Try the "Six Hats" Technique

15. 尝试“六顶帽子”技巧

The "six hats" technique involves looking at a problem from six differing perspectives. By doing this, you can produce more ideas than you might have had you only looked at the situation from one or two points of view.

　　“六顶帽子”的方法是指从六个不同的视角来看问题。通过这样做，你就可以产生更多的想法，而不是像以往那样你可能只从一两个视角看问题。

* Red Hat: Look at the situation emotionally. What do your feelings tell you?

　　*红帽子：带着情感看问题。你有什么感受？

* White Hat: Look at the situation objectively. What are the facts?

　　*白帽子：客观地看问题。事实是什么？

* Yellow Hat: Use a positive perspective. Which elements of the solution will work?

　　*黄帽子：使用积极的观点。这个解决方案的哪些部分行得通呢？

* Black Hat: Use a negative perspective. Which elements of the solution won’t work?

　　*黑帽子：使用消极的观点。这个解决方案的哪些部分行不通呢？

* Green Hat: Think creatively. What are some alternative ideas?

　　*绿帽子：创造性的思考。其它变通的想法有哪些？

* Blue Hat: Think broadly. What is the best overall solution?

　　*蓝帽子：广泛地思考。最好的整体解决方案是什么？

16. Look for Sources of Inspiration

16. 寻找灵感的源泉

Never expect creativity to just happen. Look for new sources of inspiration that will give you fresh ideas and motivate you to generate unique answers to questions. Read a book, visit a museum, listen to your favorite music or engage in a lively debate with a friend. Utilize whatever strategy or technique works best for you.

　　绝不要期望创新偶然产生。寻找新的灵感来源，这将给你提供新的思路，并激励你给出问题的独特的答案。读一本书，参观一个博物馆，听你自己喜欢的音乐或者与朋友进行一次热烈的辩论。利用任何最适用于你的策略或方法。

17. Create Opportunities for Creativity

17. 为创新创造机遇

In addition to looking for inspiration, you also need to create your own opportunities for creativity. This might involve tackling a new project or finding new tools to use in your current projects.

　　除了寻找灵感，你还需要为创新给自己创造机会。这可能包括接手一个新项目或者在你当前的项目中寻找新的工具。

18. Consider Alternative Scenarios

18. 考虑替代方案

When approaching a problem, utilize "what if..." questions to consider each possible scenario. If you take a specific approach, what will the outcome be? By looking at these alternatives beforehand, you'll be better able to develop creative solutions to problems.

　　当解决一个问题时，利用“如果...”的假设来考虑每种可能的方案。如果你使用一种特别的方案，会出现什么结果呢？通过预先注意这些替代方案，你就能更好地构想出问题的有创造性的解决方案。

19. Create a Flow Chart

19. 创建流程图

When you are developing a new project, start by creating a flow chart to track the presentation of the project from start to finish. Look for various paths or sequences of events that might occur. A flow chart can help you visualize the final product, eliminate potential problems and create unique solutions.

　　当你正在开发一个新项目，首先创建一个流程图来追踪该项目从开始到结束的全过程。寻找各种途径或者可能发生的一系列事件。一个流程图可以帮助你将最终产品直观化，消除潜在的问题，产生独特的解决方案。

20. Try the Snowball Technique

20. 尝试“滚雪球”技巧

Have you ever noticed how one great idea often leads directly to another? You can take advantage of this by utilizing a "snowball technique" when you are generating ideas for your project. If the idea isn't appropriate for your current work, set it aside to work on later or implement it in a future project.

　　你有没有注意到一个好的想法常常直接引出另一个好想法？当你正在为你的项目构思的时候，你可以使用“滚雪球技巧”来利用这一点。如果这个想法不是很适合你现在的工作，那就把它放一边，等待日后的工作使用或者实施在未来的项目中。