One of the easiest ways to get more creative and keep your ideas flowing is by breaking existing thought patterns. And allowing them to rewire or realign in new creative ways. The techniques mentioned here can help you find solutions when you are stuck at a problem. And it can help you jump over creative blocks!
Theodor Seuss Geisel, famously known by his pen name Dr. Seuss, was an American children’s author and cartoonist. Geisel was a hat collector. He used to collect different types of hats for about 60 years, accumulating several hundred of them. And whenever Geisel was having a writer’s block or he wanted some inspiration for his work, he went to his closet and tried on different hats till an idea struck him.
In fact, this is the very reason the Greeks invented what we know as museums today. Back then, Greeks called it the Mouseion—the seat of the Muses. It was a place dedicated to the preservation and display of historic, scientific, and artistic importance. The Mouseion also served as a seat of learning, with educational institutions and cultural centers functioning around them.
Collecting curious things that pique your interest is a worthwhile hobby. Firstly, like Geisel, the hobby can help you spark inspiration when needed. Secondly, as your collection continues to grow with time, its valuation increases too. With a sizable collection and with the help of a museum consultant, you too can open a museum of your own.
Museums need not be of colossal order. They can simply be hosted in 1 sq. feet by 1 sq. feet like this one below. It could even be inside your lucky backpack or hosted in your study drawer!
Curio means a rare, unusual, or intruiging object. It comes from the Latin word ‘curiosus’ meaning careful or inquisite. The English word curiosity is derived from this root. And hence curio is also used as a shortform for curiosity too.
Once upon a time, I used to collect knives, playing cards, stones or minerals, coins, notes, feathers, leaves, tazos, watches, spectacles, brass and bronze antiques, batik prints, essential oils, and little toys. Remember, the more useless they are, the more they become collectible. Whenever I felt low, emotionally or cognitively, I went through my collection. Feeling them one by one, smelling them, and watching how the colors intertwined. It always helped to uplift my mood and ignite the brain engine. Whenever I couldn’t maintain something, I sold it to fund my future collections or endeavors.
But when your lifestyle or livelihood involves a lot of travel, then you cannot carry along your collection. Especially every time you relocate. Even then, I still carried along some of my favorite things till I found a better way out –
- Visiting museums, art galleries, exhibitions, and collections that other people have already collected for you to experience.
- Visiting antique stores and different types of markets—from mundane to specialized ones. No compusion to buy. Just awaken and keep your senses alive.
Exposing yourself to curious, intriguing things works in a similar fashion, like how art works as a theraphy. When you are exposed to variety, especially sensual variety—colors, touch, taste, smell, sound—it stimulates your senses. This in turn breaks existing thoughts and triggers new thought patterns, leading to ideas, inspirations, or solutions.
Hence, at work, a clean desk may help in better management. But a few colorful things here and there—a few interesting things here and there—can help in better inventing or creating. For innovation, you need both! So don’t hesitate to make changes to your man cave or sacred den every now and then as required. Edit your space to suit your innovation style.
If you are in a creative profession, then make it a mandate for yourself to visit the places of curiosity mentioned below at least once a month. If you are a leader, then have a dedicated day each month and take your people to visit –
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Botanical parks
- Aquariums or Zoos
- Exhibitions
- Pops or fairs
- Astronomical centers or planatoriums
- What else? Do suggest in the comments if you have something
Do not trust me. To see if this is working for you, keep track of how your problem-solving patterns change before and after you start these visits. See how it reflects or can reflect into possible innovations in your life. And I would love to hear your ‘Curious Day Out’ story!