Sometimes, getting unstuck isn't about pushing harder, but about looking at things differently. Still, we can feel so trapped on the rigid tracks of our old perspectives and habitual solutions that it’s hard even to see the impasse or challenge at hand in a new light.
In a recent post, we explored how quantum idea-jumping can catapult our brains into new dimensions of thought. Now, we’ll zoom in on a specific (and powerful!) technique that uses creative expression to really shift our perspectives.
Try this practice to redraw challenges, tell them a different story, or even turn them into a recipe to find solutions you never knew were there.
The "Observer Effect" Ideation
The Idea: In quantum physics, the act of observation can change what's being observed. Similarly, shifting how we look at or describe our problems can radically change our perspectives and reveal new solutions.
Tools: Pen and paper, drawing materials, and a playful attitude are all you need!
The Practice:
Write Down Your Problem: Clearly state the challenge you're facing.
Re-Express It Creatively (10-15 minutes): Choose one of these fun ways to redefine your problem:
As a Poem: Write a short poem (any style!) about your problem. Focus on emotions, metaphors, and sensory details.
As a Children's Story: Explain your problem and its implications as if you're telling a tale to a five-year-old. Simplify, use relatable characters, and aim for a clear, straightforward solution.
As a Recipe: What are the "ingredients" of your problem? What "steps" would you take to "cook" a solution? What does the final "dish" taste like?
As a Cartoon/Drawing: Don't worry about your artistic skills! Doodle your problem as a character, a scene, or even a chaotic flowchart. Add some speech bubbles.
Reflect (5 minutes): After creating your art, step back. What new insights, feelings, or unexpected angles popped up from this different way of expressing your problem? Did simplifying it for a child reveal an obvious step you missed? Did the poem highlight an emotional block you hadn't noticed?
The "Observer Effect" Ideation helps us step back from seeing problems as roadblocks and instead see them as canvases. It’s an amazing (and fun) tool for injecting fresh perspective and solutions into any challenge.
Pick up a pen, tell a story, or draw a doodle – the next big breakthrough might only be waiting to be expressed into existence.
Listen to the ArtStorming podcast for conversations with artists on the creative process, its challenges, and the inspirations that drive their work.
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