Want to be more creative? Go for a walk | Marily Oppezzo

Summary

The speaker discusses the creative process, emphasizing that generating new ideas is just the beginning. They share findings from four studies indicating that walking, both indoors and outdoors, can significantly boost creativity during brainstorming sessions. Using the 'alternate uses' test, the studies showed that walking can nearly double a person's creative output. The speaker suggests walking before important meetings to harness this effect and offers five practical tips to maximize creativity, including selecting a topic, maintaining a comfortable pace, generating many ideas, speaking them aloud, and knowing when to take a break.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The creative process is long, iterative, and requires refinement, time, and effort.
• 💡 The focus of the studies discussed is on the brainstorming phase of creativity.
• 👣 Walking, both indoors and outdoors, was tested to measure its impact on creativity.
• 🗝️ One creativity test involved alternate uses for everyday objects, like thinking of different ways to use a key.
• 🎨 Creativity is defined by 'appropriate novelty'—the idea must be both realistic and unique.
• 🚶 People who walked on a treadmill while brainstorming generated nearly twice as many creative ideas compared to those who sat.
• 📈 Walking also had a residual effect, making people more creative even after they stopped walking.
• 🗣️ Speaking ideas aloud while walking and recording them can enhance brainstorming by avoiding the mental filter imposed when writing.
• 🏃 Comfortable physical activity, like walking, is effective for creativity, but intense activity like running might not work for everyone.
• 🎯 It’s important to keep brainstorming, coming up with many ideas, and to revisit the problem if inspiration doesn’t come immediately.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the creative process discussed in the script?

The main focus is on the initial phase of the creative process, specifically brainstorming and coming up with new ideas.

How many studies were conducted to explore the creative process?

Four studies were conducted with various participants.

What is the 'alternate uses' test mentioned in the script?

The 'alternate uses' test is a creativity test where participants have four minutes to come up with as many alternative uses for common everyday objects as they can think of.

What is the definition of creativity used in the studies?

The definition of creativity used is 'appropriate novelty,' meaning the ideas must be realistic and original, not previously mentioned by anyone else in the surveyed population.

How did the group that walked on the treadmill perform in the creativity test?

The group that walked on the treadmill performed almost twice as well as the groups that sat for the test.

What was the effect of walking on the treadmill on the participants' creativity after the test?

The participants who walked on the treadmill still exhibited a residual effect of creativity even after they stopped walking.

What are the five tips provided to enhance the creative brainstorming process?

The tips are: 1) Pick a problem or topic to brainstorm, 2) Choose a comfortable physical activity, 3) Generate as many ideas as possible, 4) Speak your ideas to record them without filtering, and 5) Don't overdo it; return to the idea later if it's not coming.

Why is it suggested not to write down ideas during the brainstorming walk?

Writing down ideas can act as a filter, causing one to question if the idea is good enough to record. Speaking the ideas allows for a continuous flow of creativity without this initial judgment.

What is the 'shower effect' mentioned in the script?

The 'shower effect' refers to the spontaneous emergence of new ideas while in the shower, which is different from the intentional brainstorming discussed in the script.

How does the act of walking influence the brainstorming process according to the script?

Walking, particularly at a comfortable pace, can boost creativity and enhance the brainstorming process by allowing for a continuous flow of ideas without the immediate need for judgment or filtering.

What is the recommendation for those who are not getting creative ideas while walking?

If creative ideas are not coming during the walk, it is recommended to return to the problem at another time, suggesting that creativity may not always be forced and can benefit from revisiting at a later moment.