Habits are a funny thing. We reach for them mindlessly, setting our brains on auto-pilot and relaxing into the unconscious comfort of familiar routine. “Not choice, but habit rules the unreflecting herd,” William Wordsworth said in the 19th century. In the ever-changing 21st century, even the word “habit” carries a negative connotation.
So it seems antithetical to talk about habits in the same context as creativity and innovation. But brain researchers have discovered that when we consciously develop new habits, we create parallel synaptic paths, and even entirely new brain cells, that can jump our trains of thought onto new, innovative tracks.
Can You Become a Creature of New Habits?, by Jane Rae-Dupree
I taught creativity for almost 10 years (applied to advertising, but creativity at the end of the day). The key in that study is the word “consciously”.
Habits as a repetitive act that we do not even think about do help creativity. But the moment we want develop them “consciously” there is some thinking into it and because they are “new” and in some way imposed, they help us to expand our bouundaries.
And BTW we can all become a creature of new habits… the same way that we can all become more creative… :)
May 5th, 2008 / 9:33 pm
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace, when i read this article i thought i could also make comment due to this brilliant piece of writing.
May 26th, 2013 / 11:03 pm