How can you break through creative barriers in a project?

1 Identify the barriers

The first step to breaking through creative barriers is to recognize and understand what is holding you back. There are different types of barriers that can affect your CPS process, such as personal, interpersonal, environmental, or organizational. Some examples are fear of failure, lack of motivation, conflicting opinions, limited resources, or rigid rules. By identifying the barriers, you can assess their impact and decide how to address them.

2 Reframe the problem

Sometimes, the way you define the problem can limit your creativity and prevent you from finding new perspectives or solutions. To reframe the problem, you can use various techniques, such as asking "why", "what if", or "how might we" questions, using metaphors or analogies, changing the scope or scale of the problem, or reversing the assumptions or constraints. By reframing the problem, you can challenge your thinking and discover new opportunities or possibilities.

3 Diversify your sources

Another way to break through creative barriers is to expose yourself to different sources of inspiration, information, or feedback. You can do this by reading, watching, or listening to something outside your usual domain, by talking to people from different backgrounds, disciplines, or industries, by observing or experiencing different contexts or cultures, or by seeking diverse opinions or perspectives. By diversifying your sources, you can enrich your knowledge, stimulate your imagination, or spark new connections or insights.

4 Experiment with methods

There are many methods and tools that can help you enhance your CPS process, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, SCAMPER, six thinking hats, or TRIZ. However, not every method works for every problem or situation. To break through creative barriers, you can experiment with different methods or combine them in novel ways, depending on your goals, preferences, or constraints. By experimenting with methods, you can find the ones that suit your needs, preferences, or constraints, and optimize your CPS process.

5 Take a break

Sometimes, the best way to break through creative barriers is to take a break from the problem and do something else. You can do this by engaging in a relaxing, enjoyable, or physical activity, such as meditating, playing, or exercising, by switching to a different task or project, or by simply resting or sleeping. By taking a break, you can reduce stress, improve your mood, or refresh your mind, and allow your subconscious to work on the problem and generate new ideas.

6 Test and iterate

The final tip to break through creative barriers is to test and iterate your ideas and solutions. You can do this by prototyping, experimenting, or piloting your ideas and solutions, by collecting and analyzing data or feedback, by identifying and resolving errors or issues, or by making improvements or modifications. By testing and iterating, you can validate, refine, or modify your ideas and solutions, and learn from your failures or successes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?