Bad compromises and really good ideas? Exactly – they just don’t go together. “If no one hates it, no one loves it,” as Erik Kessels put it at the Forward Festival for Creativity, Design, and Communication. Good ideas need freedom in the mind. And plenty of it.
Ensure there’s ample room for thought – don’t give idea killers a chance.
Idea killer: Evaluation
“Everyone is a genius! But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it’s stupid.” This quote – whether from Albert Einstein or not – hits the nail on the head. Even in the creative process, every idea should be welcome. Those who begin to assess whether an idea is “good” in their heads at this stage have already lost. Whether alone or in a team, no matter who or what a contribution comes from – evaluations have no place in this phase.
Only those who can freely move in their element can make the impossible possible. With unlimited room for development, fantastic ideas start flowing.
Idea killer: X-Arbitrariness
“Creativity is not only inspiration but also perspiration.” (T. A. Edison). To develop a unique idea that stands out from the crowd requires endurance. That’s why heads can sometimes really smoke during the creative process. But where there’s smoke, there’s fire. As the saying goes, “If you want to ignite the fire of enthusiasm, you have to burn.” (E. Ferstl). If you’re not truly convinced of your idea, you won’t be able to inspire others with it.
Why settle for mediocrity when you can make something better? What really makes an idea strong? If not everything arbitrary can be interpreted into it, but its uniqueness is emphasized. Originality is the goal. The first thought may be the best, but scrutinize it thoroughly. Take your time and think around the corner multiple times. It’s worth it.
Idea killer: Yo-Yo Effect
A diet signals an emergency to the body. If you’re not careful, the old weight quickly returns. It’s similar when developing new ideas. If you get too comfortable in your comfort zone, you quickly risk repeating yourself over and over again. That’s no fun for anyone.
Beware of boredom in your mind. Don’t put your creativity on a diet. Prevent the Yo-Yo effect, for example, by simply playing Yo-Yo more often. This trains both hemispheres of the brain, enhances concentration, and serves as a memory aid. Ensure variety – stay curious and hungry for knowledge!
Idea killer Z for Censorship
Censorship serves only one purpose: to control, suppress, or prevent. Censorship reduces, weakens, and regulates. Adventures in the mind just can’t develop this way. Creativity requires freedom, individuality, and plenty of fun. Thoughts should be allowed to grow into the sky. Censorship makes that impossible.
Strong ideas have edges and corners. That’s what makes them so unique and unmistakable. They stand out through originality and character strength. In short: “If no one hates it, no one loves it.”
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Only those who can recognize idea killers in time and know how to deal with them have a clear view of the really, really good ideas. Expand your field of vision and don’t give idea killers a chance.
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Claudia Gilhofer:
Creative Planner, Communication Psychologist in Training, Systemic Business Coach, Facilitator, Mentor, Sparring Partner, VR Expert (XR-C)
