Necessity is the mother of invention.
— English proverb
When we have an abundance of resources, we become lazy in our thinking.
It’s as if we become paralysed by having to choose between too many options.
In times of crisis, we have the opposite.
We become more creative because we are forced to make more of what we have — we benefit from constraints.
This is not new news.
Our species has dominated all others because it is so creative. Our capacity for inventive thought has allowed us to survive when the odds have been stacked firmly against us.
Consider that war (although a horrible event) does, more often than not, lead to significant technological breakthroughs.
For example, WW2 lead to the introduction of radar, the jet engine, nuclear energy and nylon amongst other things.
Make no mistake that when times are tough, the people and organisations that get creative are the ones that survive and, in some cases, thrive.
So, if you are struggling with something at the moment, consider applying some creative thinking to the issue.
You might find that it helps you turn a problem into an opportunity.
To get you started, have a read of the posts below.
Our 5 most popular posts on creativity
1. 10 Skills To Future Proof Yourself — Creativity Edition
2. How To Be More Creative — 10 Helpful Tips
3. 25 Ways To Seek Inspiration — Helpful Suggestions For Idea Generation
If you’re looking for more ways to be more creative, why not sign up for our How To Be More Creative course featuring some of the world’s top experts and certified by Cannes Lions.