An experiment: Does discontentment breed creativity?

We’re trained to avoid dwelling in sorrow, stuff down the rage and move on as soon as possible. But it turns out, that anger and sadness might benefit us in a surprising way: by actually increasing our creativity.

So crank up Morrissey’s “Girlfriend in a comma,” and roll around in the melancholy, because it might just stimulate areas of the brain associated with critical thinking and problem-solving. These emotions generate the kind of energy that, when combined with our innate aptitudes, can result in revolutionary ideas.

“Part of the creative process demands that we look at ourselves or our environment with some degree of dissatisfaction,” says Harvard University researcher Shelley Carson, Ph.D.

A certain kind of creativity comes out of brighter emotional states, for sure. And lets face it, enthusiastic people that are filled with self-esteem will arrive quickly at a solution, (although it may not be earth shattering.)

So while its not recommended that you put yourself in a bad mood to facilitate genius. If you are indeed feeling frustrated, instead of “checking out,” and doing something passive (like playing Xbox,) take the time to engage in something active like writing and creating. Try it, and let me know what you think.

Use your powers for good:  Channeling your anger toward the problem may allow you to see potential answers.

Avoid self editing: Write down ideas as fast as you can think of them, and give yourself time to evaluate at a later time.

Create “next steps:” Begin with the end in mind and plan backward. Take small bites that let you move forward in your plan.

Tags | negativity discontentment depressed creativity good ideas