Discussion on:

The 11 greatest enemies of creativity

I hate hearing
"...but we've always done it that way ..."
given the rate of change in computing, if "always" is more than a couple of years I see it as the best reason to at least look for feature changes that may have been introduced.

Another "favorite" is
"...if it ain't broke, don't fix it..."
While that is not totally unreasonable, it is an incomplete statement. The missing, important part, of the statement is defining "broke" AND "ain't broke". Just because a program runs to the end does not mean it is "ain't broke". All to often I've seen programs / processes that with just a little optimizing run in a fraction of the time and cost. While it can be argued that it is "ain't broke", your company can GO BROKE running it, wasting money and computing resources.

Fear

Of being wrong.
Particularly relevant in a corporate environment where infallibility is encouraged to the point of stifling any change or worse still disguising failure as success, so therefore change must unnecessary, otherwise something that had to be "right" would suffer an implication of wrongness.

Related to deadlines is overload. I have had several projects where I would really have liked to do something special, learn something new, or come up with a better way of doing a task, but I just didn't have the time to go down that road - even if the client was more than willing to work with me on it - because I had too many other tasks pressing on me at the same time.

Take a look at this article
http://www.lostgarden.com/2008/09/rules-of-productivity-presentation.html

It talks about how working overtime kills productivity and creativity.

Lack of any recognition or reward may not stifle creativity but it does stifle the drive to even try.

Not everyone is creative, and there is nothing wrong with not being creative. If EVERYONE was creative the world would be filled with musicians, artists, writers, etc and there would be no one left to simply push the buttons, vacuum the floor, and do the other not-very-creative-or-exciting-but-needs-to-be-done work. In the same manner, not everyone is mathematically inclined, or interested in politics, psychology, etc. Insisting that people "be creative" simply adds pressure where it is unneeded. Best to simply encourage them to be the best they can, not be what you (or I) think they should be.

Once worked at a place where there was one guy that every new idea had to be run past. Seemed to me that whatever someone suggested the answer was always the same; "We tried that back in, the 1960s/1970s and it didn't work." So, the idea was always shot down and the status quo continued. Complaining to management had no effect, because The Historian had been with the company longer than anyone else.

Eventually, however, management begain to see our side of things, all it took was The Historian saying; "A website? We tried that back in, the 1974 and it didn't work."

Increasingly, in the workplace as well as family settings, contemplating how to better our condition has to be a goal to strive for. When I managed people, I asked for their input, in a formal setting (monthly meeting) and on a regular basis into how they felt they would improve those processes they were responsible for. In support of this approach, I provided tools such as brainstorming and clear, concise documentation (instructions, policy procedures, etc.), and the training in their intent, with examples from previous results to get their creative juices flowing.

I also fostered a practice of allowing them time during prescribed periods to grasp 'innovative thinking.' Quiet moments spent researching a process as well as group meetings where ideas were kicked around got great results in my group. I believe these moments of contemplation are just as important as time spent filling in a form, learning a new process or performing your daily tasks.

Fatigue should be on the list. You need your rest.

Nice list with reasonable rationalizations. Not sure i can do much about most of them, but it points out how dysfunctional a lot of our "systems" are. Thanks for posting this interesting article.

Just read the subject line.

Nearly all creative activities require additional resources, particularly ample time to convince, prepare, introduce and deploy, let alone much money. So being mediocrely conservative is an usual way to play safe rather than to pursue brave ventures. No wonder creativity is only confined to affluent enterprises with emphasis on R&D.

It goes without saying that an open environment that encourages all ideas (good and bad) to be put forth ensures creativity will always be nurtured. Its been said to death, but great ideas come from thinking outside of the box without fear of being shot down or mocked.

I am an idea person. I also am someone who constantly thinks of new solutions to old problems. The greatest obstacle I face is the "no" people, who seem to exist in numbers far exceeding the "let's try" or "here's another idea" people. I find it exhausting to be in groups (a requirement at any university) and to constantly hear negative responses or silence. I finally gave up, refuse to work in a university and am now running my own business, where the boss (me) demands creativity and new ideas. Nirvana.