"Reopening the mind: how cognitive closure kills creative thinking | How to Go OmniChannel with Content"

"Reopening the mind: how cognitive closure kills creative thinking | How to Go OmniChannel with Content"

Introduction:
In today's fast-paced world, both cognitive closure and omni-channel content creation have significant impacts on our ability to think creatively and build a successful online presence. Cognitive closure refers to our need for certainty and closure in ambiguous situations, which can hinder innovative thinking. On the other hand, omni-channel content creation involves creating, repurposing, and crossposting content across various platforms to maximize reach and engagement. In this article, we will explore the common points between these two concepts and provide actionable advice on how to overcome cognitive closure and excel in omni-channel content creation.

Understanding Cognitive Closure:
Our need for cognitive closure stems from our aversion towards ambiguity. We feel uncomfortable when faced with uncertainty and strive to find quick answers that align with our existing knowledge. This urgency tendency and the permanence tendency motivate us to eliminate ambiguity and arrive at definite conclusions as fast as possible. However, this cognitive closure mindset can lead to stereotypical judgments, distorting new information to fit our existing beliefs, and hinder creative thinking.

Impact on Creative Thinking:
When it comes to complex problems that require creative thinking, cognitive closure can hinder our ability to explore new ideas. It motivates us to accept answers that align with our existing knowledge, limiting the possibilities for innovation. Additionally, cognitive closure makes us cling to our current ideas to maintain our sense of expertise, further hindering creative thinking and growth.

Actionable Advice:

1. Know Where You Stand:
   The first step in overcoming cognitive closure is to understand where you stand on the scale. Reflect on your inclination towards urgency and permanence tendencies. Are you open to exploring new ideas and comfortable with ambiguity, or do you find yourself seeking quick answers and clinging to existing knowledge? Self-awareness is crucial in breaking free from cognitive closure and fostering creative thinking.

2. Design a Psychologically Safe Environment:
   Creating a psychologically safe environment is essential to reduce the need for cognitive closure. When we feel threatened or fear making mistakes, our need for closure increases. Foster a culture that encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and learning from failures. Embrace the idea that mistakes are opportunities for growth and encourage open discussions and diverse perspectives.

3. Fall in Love with Problems:
   Instead of rushing to find answers, train yourself to become comfortable with open-ended questions and unresolved issues. Embrace the beauty of unanswered questions and explore different possibilities. Keep a list of your favorite problems or challenges and continuously revisit them, testing new tricks and solutions against them. This mindset shift can help you break free from cognitive closure and foster a more innovative and creative thinking.

Omni-Channel Content Creation:
Now, let's shift our focus to omni-channel content creation. In a digital age where attention spans are short, creating and distributing content across multiple platforms is crucial for maximizing reach and engagement. However, it's not just about creating content; it's also about repurposing and crossposting it to different platforms to amplify its impact.

Actionable Advice:

1. Diversify Your Content Ecosystem:
   To go omni-channel with your content, aim to produce a significant amount of content every day. As Gary Vaynerchuk suggests, aim for 100 pieces of content daily. This doesn't mean creating entirely new content from scratch but repurposing and crossposting existing content across various platforms. Diversify your content formats, such as blogs, videos, podcasts, and social media posts, to cater to different audience preferences.

2. Choose the Right Platforms:
   While there are numerous platforms available, it's essential to choose the ones that align with your target audience and goals. Avoid platforms that restrict your control over your content or limit its reach. For instance, Medium.com's recent changes have made it less favorable for content creators. Explore alternatives like personal blogs, Quora, and social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook groups.

3. Engage and Interact:
   Building a successful online presence goes beyond creating and distributing content. Engage with your audience, respond to comments and messages, and create opportunities for real-time interaction through live streams or Q&A sessions. Actively participate in relevant communities and provide value to others by solving their problems or sharing insights. Remember, the more branches you can get yourself on, the more influence you'll have.

Conclusion:
Cognitive closure and omni-channel content creation may seem unrelated, but they both play significant roles in our ability to think creatively and build a successful online presence. Overcoming cognitive closure requires self-awareness, creating a psychologically safe environment, and embracing open-ended questions. On the other hand, omni-channel content creation involves diversifying your content ecosystem, choosing the right platforms, and actively engaging with your audience. By incorporating these actionable advice, you can break free from cognitive closure and excel in omni-channel content creation, fostering innovation and building a strong online presence.