Last updated on Apr 18, 2024

What do you do if your decision-making skills are hindering your creative thinking abilities?

Decision-making is a crucial skill for any professional, but sometimes it can get in the way of your creative thinking abilities. If you find yourself stuck in a rut, following the same patterns, or avoiding risks, you might need to shake up your decision-making process and unleash your creativity. Here are some tips on how to do that.

1 Identify your biases

We all have cognitive biases that influence our decisions, such as confirmation bias, anchoring, or framing. These biases can limit our ability to see different perspectives, generate novel ideas, or challenge assumptions. To overcome them, you need to be aware of them and actively seek out alternative views, evidence, and feedback. You can also use tools like the Six Thinking Hats or the Ladder of Inference to help you examine your thinking process and avoid jumping to conclusions.

Add your perspective

Nilesh Waghchoude 🚀

✦ BRAND Consultant ✦ NRI's #1 Success & Financial FREEDOM Coach ✦ Personal & Business BRANDing ✦ Career, Leadership & Business Coach ✦ Follow me to ATTRACT Better Opportunities, Financial FREEDOM & Success 🚀
Report contribution
Great question! Strong decision-making is key, but it shouldn't stifle creativity. Try bracketing decisions during brainstorming. Let loose, explore wild ideas, then use your honed decision-making skills to evaluate and refine them later.

Like

Unhelpful
Tim Heatley

Business Development & Recruiting Manager at Mattress By Appointment World Headquarters.
Report contribution
Stuck in a decision rut? It can stifle creativity! Here's the fix: Challenge your assumptions. Feed your brain new ideas: read widely, watch diverse content. Experiment with creativity techniques: brainstorm, mind map, or try random prompts. Embrace the mess! Not every idea is a winner. Reward yourself for trying new things.

Like

Unhelpful
josefino laguna

Assistant Professor at University of San Agustin
Report contribution
Decision making and creative thinking are interrelated to one another. In the event one hinders the other, I believe something is wrong in the implementation of the procedural processes. Laid down once again the step by step processes in order to identify where did the breakdown happened and rectify it, so that the desired result will be achieved.

Like

Unhelpful

2 Diversify your sources

Another way to boost your creative thinking is to expose yourself to different sources of information, inspiration, and insight. You can read books, articles, or blogs from different fields, industries, or cultures. You can watch TED talks, documentaries, or movies that spark your curiosity. You can listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or music that challenge your assumptions. You can also network with people from different backgrounds, professions, or interests and learn from their experiences and perspectives.

Add your perspective

3 Experiment with methods

There is no one right way to make decisions or solve problems. Depending on the situation, you might need to use different methods or techniques to generate, evaluate, or implement your ideas. You can experiment with methods such as brainstorming, mind mapping, SCAMPER, SWOT analysis, or decision matrix. You can also try using tools like the Creative Problem Solving Model, the Design Thinking Process, or the Lean Startup Methodology. The key is to be flexible and adaptable and to test your ideas with real data and feedback.

Add your perspective

Nosamudiana Alexis

Programme Manager @ Brand Patron | Driving Operational Excellence and Strategic Leadership
Report contribution
There are countless techniques to spur creative thinking - from brainstorming to mind mapping to SCAMPER. Don't get stuck in a rut using the same approach. Experiment with different ideation methods and see what unlocks innovative ideas for you. Combining methods can also yield powerful results. For example, try brainwriting (silent brainstorming) followed by mind-mapping the ideas generated.

Like

Unhelpful

4 Embrace uncertainty

One of the biggest obstacles to creative thinking is the fear of uncertainty. We often prefer to stick to what we know, what we are comfortable with, or what we think is safe. However, uncertainty is also an opportunity to explore new possibilities, learn new skills, and discover new solutions. To embrace uncertainty, you need to be willing to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. You also need to be open-minded, curious, and optimistic and to see challenges as opportunities rather than threats.

Add your perspective

Nosamudiana Alexis

Programme Manager @ Brand Patron | Driving Operational Excellence and Strategic Leadership
Report contribution
The fear of being wrong or making mistakes can stifle creativity. Truly innovative ideas feel uncertain and risky at first. Cultivate a mindset of curiosity about the unknown. Ask "what if?" questions and explore unconventional possibilities without judgment initially. Recognize that breakthrough ideas often seem crazy before they become brilliant. Have the courage to embrace uncertainty.

Like

Unhelpful

5 Reward yourself

Finally, one of the best ways to improve your decision-making and creative thinking skills is to reward yourself for your efforts and achievements. You can celebrate your successes, big or small, by treating yourself to something you enjoy, such as a meal, a movie, or a hobby. You can also acknowledge your progress, feedback, or learning by keeping a journal, a portfolio, or a gratitude list. By rewarding yourself, you will boost your motivation, confidence, and satisfaction and encourage yourself to keep growing and improving.

Add your perspective

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

Nosamudiana Alexis

Programme Manager @ Brand Patron | Driving Operational Excellence and Strategic Leadership
Report contribution
In addition, creative thinking isn't just a skill, it's a lifestyle. Make space for creative outlets beyond work, whether a artistic hobby, recreational activities that engage your mind differently, or just unstructured time to daydream. Look for inspiration everywhere - in nature, art, your experiences. Collect ideas like writing them down or snapping photos of interesting objects or scenes. Immerse yourself in a creative environment to flex your innovative muscles.

Like

Unhelpful
Irina Bergman

Legal Manager | ESG Committee Member | English
Report contribution
Busque feedback externo: Às vezes, ter uma perspectiva externa pode ajudar a equilibrar suas habilidades de tomada de decisão e pensamento criativo.

Translated

Like

Unhelpful

Decision-Making

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?

It’s great It’s not so great

Report this article

See all

What do you do if your decision-making skills are hindering your creative thinking abilities?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your biases

2 Diversify your sources

3 Experiment with methods

4 Embrace uncertainty

5 Reward yourself

6 Here’s what else to consider

Decision-Making

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Decision-Making

What do you do if your decision-making skills are hindering your creative thinking abilities?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your biases

2 Diversify your sources

3 Experiment with methods

4 Embrace uncertainty

5 Reward yourself

6 Here’s what else to consider

Decision-Making

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills