Nurturing our ideas - Editorial - Brief Article

AORN Journal,  Jan, 2002  by Brenda S. Gregory Dawes

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Was there ever a time when a new protocol or change in practice was directed, and you said to yourself, "I thought of that idea ages ago?" Your idea, which might have generated improvements and changes, did not get captured at the time you thought of it, so it did not become a reality. Acting on an idea in a month or a year is not as important as catching the idea when it presents itself and turning it into a plausible solution.

Creative thinking is becoming more crucial as traditional methods of doing business fail. Creativity probably is one of the most important personal and business strategies for survival and success in our complex world, which has a multitude of issues that need solutions. In perioperative settings across the country, we continue to deal with unsolved issues (eg, unexpected cancellations or additions in the surgery schedule, turnover times, the need for productivity measurements). These age-old problems result in even more tribulations that add to our daily stress.

NATURAL TO FORCED CREATIVITY

Natural creativity becomes more difficult to accomplish as we experience the ups and downs of life. People sometimes are frustrated by the creative blocks that occur when they are stuck and cannot get a new idea or solve problems. Even when a new idea strikes, they are fearful of ridicule or criticism. They cannot accept that their efforts will not pay off if they never try. We all have attended meetings or sessions where games are played to encourage people to open their minds to new ideas and thoughts. These games, however, will not generate creativity if we do not allow ourselves that release.

As children, we possess a creative spirit that lets us see things without boundaries. Then, however, children are taught to color within the lines. They sometimes experience criticism or embarrassment when their actions do not meet a certain level of expectation. Rules, procedures, and rote learning become a mandatory requirement and diminish the creative spirit. As adults, daily pressures sap our energy to the point of losing any creative whim. To maintain personal and professional creativity, it is important to retain and incorporate childlike qualities into our lives.

PERSPECTIVES AND ALLIANCES

Creativity is stimulated when you are able to see life from more than one perspective. Being able to separate ourselves from routine responses and behaviors helps us see and experience things differently. The human mind is a complex organ that can provide full understanding if we can explore what might seem unreasonable at the time and seek new perspectives.

Alliances with other individuals expose our talents and creative inventiveness. Unfortunately, competition has increased to the point that potential partners and relationships often are overlooked as an opportunity for growth in this area. Today's technology also can interfere with forming solid alliances, which can stifle excellent ideas. Mingling with others and sharing ideas increases the information exchange and possible generation of new and unusual viewpoints.

EXPOSING YOUR IDEAS

There are two types of people who use their creativity to turn ideas into reality--those who come up with ideas and those who come up with ideas and make them happen. After ideas are generated, the key is to turn them into goals. Selling ideas, handling objections, and getting a commitment require persistence. They also require the willingness to reevaluate an idea as it relates to responses. A creative idea is not necessarily a bad or inappropriate idea, but it might not be right for the time.

If you have not opened your mind to creativity recently, I challenge you to explore the options you have to offer. If a persistent problem nags at you, question your own efforts and those of others to improve the situation. Creative efforts take time from a daily schedule, but what you discover might amaze you. Keeping a journal or diary, using free association techniques, learning something new each day, or seeking a challenge at least once per month are a few options that might help you develop a creative spirit. Most importantly, learn to relax. Find ways to separate yourself from the work environment and daily problems so your mind can open up to new options.

If you believe you are creative but others are not receptive to your ideas, it is important that you recognize the barriers. Did you prepare and present a plan? If that plan was not accepted, did you reevaluate the plan, timing, or outside resources that might be needed? Did you align partners to help you fulfill the commitment so the plan would work? If the plan did not work, does that mean it is not a good plan, or does it need to be revised or presented at a future date?

Creativity can add insur-mountable benefits to the work setting. Presenting a creative idea can improve your beliefs about what can and should happen and how to approach problem solving. Forcing yourself to look at a situation that seems difficult and putting your creative talents to work could provide needed solutions during these difficult times. Our current health care settings are crying out for improvements and solutions. You can develop the creative spirit within yourself to become the person who finds new ideas and turns them into reality.