Play games. Our work life often requires us to focus on the processes of the left side of our brain, such as the ability to think logically and deal with numbers. We make less regular use of the right lobe, which gives us spatial awareness, appreciation of rhythms and the ability to daydream. "USA Today" noted that adults who live without play lack creativity. Revisiting the games and fun activities we enjoyed as children enables us to utilize both sides of the brain, which in turn fosters the development of creative thought.
Make the time to practice skills. The brain thrives when its neurotransmitters are repeatedly stimulated. This neural activity occurs when the brain is asked to solve problems regularly, so crossword and Sudoku puzzles written for adults are convenient ways to practice thinking creatively. People who are good at such puzzles are successful because they practice doing them regularly. Their brains are, therefore, able to respond more quickly to the need to think creatively to find the solution.
Take up new hobbies and activities. The way we grow up and progress through our working lives results in the development of a mental guideline that directs us toward how we live our lives. This benefits us so that we can fulfill our daily schedules, but it does not promote creative thought. Taking up a new hobby, such as learning a language, greatly increases the likelihood that we will have to look at things from more than one perspective. Adults have the ability to analyze how languages work in a way that teenage brains do not, making this an appropriate new activity for adults who are trying to develop creative thinking.
Use your imagination. Most forms of media present information for us to absorb as facts. Everyday activities like reading a newspaper or watching the news on television offer great opportunities to develop creativity. When reading a story or watching television, ask what would have happened if people had acted differently or if one part of the event had not happened. Take this activity further by discussing these alternate hypotheses with other people.