Imagination is one of the most powerful tools in the world. The most innovative and successful people are generally extremely creative visionaries, and imagination is a fundamental requirement of the creation process. Knowing how to imagine is a skill we should all have! Read the first step to learn right away.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Develop your Imagination
Step 1. Daydream
This process helps to form connections and remember information without distractions. Far from being a mechanical activity, daydreaming involves a great deal of effort on the part of the brain. Often, your best ideas seem to come out of nowhere as you fantasize.
- Avoid distractions, such as computers, video games, the Internet, television, etc. Your brain won't be able to take a break if it's constantly distracted.
- Good times to fantasize are: in the morning, just before getting out of bed, or in the evening, before falling asleep. Going for a walk, without distractions like the phone or music, also makes the process easier.
Step 2. Improve your visual working memory
For those people who cannot imagine anything, the best way to start is to work on their visual working memory, since it is what determines the ability to imagine something; in the end, to imagine something, you must be able to hold an image in your mental eye for at least five seconds to be able to store various elements in your visual working memory. It is something we can all improve; the most useful exercise for this purpose is called Dual n'Back, which has proven to be quite effective. There are several versions that you can also find online. Train to the limit of your ability to improve your visual memory and change settings where possible to maximize the time between stimuli. This will allow you to practice keeping the elements in your visual working memory for longer, where you can then manipulate them. To see a substantial difference, you need to practice over a period of several weeks, trying where possible to do the exercise for at least 20 minutes. Practice memorizing and conjuring up various colors in your mental eye simultaneously, as your ability to recreate colors partially matches the vividness of your imagination.
You can also improve your episodic memory by practicing memorizing movie clips and then trying to recreate the film in question in your mind by closing your eyes: walking around your neighborhood, you can apply the same techniques as you try to memorize what you see
Step 3. Look for new experiences
Being open to new experiences facilitates an open mind to emotions and imagination, and stimulates intellectual curiosity. Plus, it provides more opportunities to fantasize (whether you're planning an adventure trip, or following a new cooking class) and increases your chances of imagining different and more meaningful scenarios.
You don't need to travel halfway around the world to have new experiences. Instead, look around where you live. You can attend free courses, or take university lessons; learn a new activity, like creating a scrapbook, gardening, or simply visiting an area of your city that you haven't yet explored
Step 4. Observe the people
Go to a cafe, or just sit on a park bench for a while and watch the people pass you by. Making up stories about them, and being curious, fuels your imagination and helps you practice, while at the same time encouraging empathy. Some of your best and most creative ideas will show up by doing this simple activity.
Step 5. Create some art
Whatever form of art you decide to do, the important thing is that it gives you the opportunity to express yourself. Don't constrain your artistic expression. For example, if you decide to paint and draw a green sun instead of a yellow one, that's fine! Use your imagination to break the mold.
You can do any kind of art, from writing poetry to pottery to building. Remember that you don't have to be very good: this is a means to stimulate your imagination, not to become a professional painter
Step 6. Avoid being overloaded by the media
While media like movies, TV shows, the Internet, and video games can be a lot of fun, overloading them can diminish your creativity, imagination, and inner self.
- People, and especially children of our generation, are transformed into non-visionary consumers, internalizing images and visions that other people have created for them.
- This means that it is better to limit your use of the media: you do not have to immediately turn off the television or computer when you are fed up; take a break and practice to let your imagination wander.
Part 2 of 2: Using the Imagination
Step 1. Find creative solutions
Once you get into the habit of using your imagination, it will help you find creative solutions to the problems you face. This means that you have to look for original and out of the ordinary solutions.
- A problem that many people face is "functional fixity", ie the inability to recognize and attribute other functions to an object other than the one for which it is normally used (such as a pair of pliers). In one experiment, people were asked to take a rope hanging from the ceiling and make it touch opposite walls. The only other items in the room were pliers. Most of the participants were unable to find the solution: that is, tie the pliers to the rope and use them as a weight to swing the rope between the walls.
- Practice finding alternative uses for common items. When you're faced with an obstacle, let your imagination guide you through the whimsical possibilities to see what might actually work. Remember: just because an object was designed with a certain purpose doesn't mean it can't be used for others.
Step 2. Forget the possibility of failure
Sometimes, your imagination gets stuck and it can be difficult to unlock it, especially if you haven't practiced much or are struggling. However, there are tricks that can help you unlock it and be creative.
- Ask yourself how you would deal with the problem if it were impossible to fail. Consider a riskier solution as if there were no consequences.
- Ask yourself what would be the first thing you would do if you had access to all the resources you need to tackle the problem.
- Ask yourself who you would consult to help you solve the problem if you could reach out to anyone in the world.
- Answering these questions will free your mind of the possibility of failure, which, in turn, will leave room for your imagination. Not all the answers you will find with this method will be feasible, but in this way you will improve your inventiveness and will be surprised by the many possibilities you will think about.
Step 3. View
Using your imagination to visualize will vastly improve your life. Imagine yourself getting a promotion at work before you even ask for it, or visualize yourself finishing the marathon you are training for.
