Unlocking Your Creative Potential: Overcoming Linear Thinking
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Creativity
For many of us—be it writers, artists, or simply those passionate about creating—tapping into our creative essence can feel like a daunting task. It’s often a lifelong journey filled with obstacles. If you identify with having a more analytical mindset, then you may find it necessary to consciously unlearn certain habits that you've picked up along the way.
Recently, I penned an article reflecting on the anxiety I experience when I pick up a book. I often find myself distracted, fearing I’m missing out on all the other incredible books out there. This creates a sense of pressure, making the act of reading feel like a monumental undertaking, which I refer to as “Intellectual FOMO.”
Section 1.1: Understanding Intellectual FOMO
Intellectual FOMO is a fear of missing out that extends beyond social gatherings; it pertains to the anxiety surrounding choices in reading and learning.
Subsection 1.1.1: My Personal Journey with Creativity
I’ve always viewed myself as lacking in creativity. My academic path started in the sciences, followed by a Master's in the philosophy of science. On the Jungian personality spectrum, I lean heavily towards "Thinking" rather than "Intuitive." Even when I later transitioned into Fine Arts, I struggled to embrace unconventional ideas in my projects, clinging to established knowledge and fearing the unknown.
“Creativity demands the bravery to relinquish certainty.” — Erich Fromm
The roots of my rigid thinking can be traced back to a conventional educational system. Growing up in Iran, the schooling I received mirrored a traditional French model that treated students as empty vessels to be filled with knowledge, emphasizing rote memorization over critical thought or personal interpretation. The learning process was linear, leaving little room for synthesis or creativity.
Section 1.2: The Constraints of Linear Thinking
Linear thinking is a learned behavior, a specific pattern of thought that conditions our brains to process information in a step-by-step manner. For instance, when reading a book, one typically feels compelled to start from the beginning and follow through to the end, leading to stress if any part is skipped or left unfinished.
Recognizing this as a habit—rather than a necessity—can be liberating.
Chapter 2: Breaking Free from Linear Patterns
In his book, The Heart to Start, David Kadavy shares his experiences with overcoming similar linear tendencies. He recounts a time at a café where he struggled to write a blog post, finding himself repeatedly drawn to Facebook instead. He realized that the act of writing or reading felt overwhelmingly significant, often leading to procrastination.
Kadavy describes how a friend introduced him to a practice that helped combat linear thinking. His friend would borrow several books from the library and lay them out, allowing himself the freedom to explore different texts without pressure. If he lost interest in one, he would simply move on to another.
The concept of "inflating the investment" causes procrastination, as it makes the task seem too monumental to begin.
Do you struggle with too many ideas as a creative? - YouTube
This approach helps us reconnect with the playful curiosity we often lose as adults. Children learn through exploration and play, not through rigid manuals. While it's true that we need to focus and specialize, clinging too tightly to one method can stifle new insights.
In my experience, dabbling in multiple books at once has been liberating. Instead of consuming one book after another in search of enlightenment, I now define a topic of interest and explore it across various texts, allowing ideas to surface organically.
In Conclusion: Embrace a New Approach
If you've been putting off a long-desired project—such as learning to play the piano—there’s no need to dive into complex music theory right away. Start by simply familiarizing yourself with the instrument. Then, perhaps watch a YouTube tutorial on the keys, followed by learning basic finger placements. This approach echoes modern teaching methods for adults; I myself returned to piano at 30 after a lackluster early experience.
It’s crucial to make a commitment to learning, but if perfectionism or rigid thinking holds you back, take notice of it. Challenge yourself to use the linear distortion method: begin with what captivates you and gradually expand your skills.
For those of you struggling with creativity - YouTube
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