Have you ever wondered why some people can seem more creative than others? Or why do even the most creative among us sometimes find ourselves stuck behind a mental block? It’s hard for many of us to imagine that anything other than talent has something to do with creativity, but in reality, there are a few simple ways that anyone can get their creative juices flowing. Allow me to explain.
Creativity can come out of the blue, but often, it happens when we’re relaxed. Still, creativity doesn’t happen — we need to do something to enable it. It is a muscle, and just like any other muscle, we need to exercise it — build it up over time. Before you know it, you’ll be able to get creative whenever you want.
When you’re feeling creatively blocked, what do you do?
Maybe you’ve even given up on being creative altogether.
Did you look for inspiration in unlikely places?
Or maybe you just gave up and went back to watching Netflix.
Well, guess what? There’s a better way! It’s called “creative exercise,” and it’s literally one of the best things you can do for your creativity.
Ever been in a similar scenario?
You’re feeling creatively blocked, so you start watching Halo on Amazon Prime instead of working on that project you’re supposed to be finishing. You tell yourself that you’ll get back to it later, but we all know how that goes. The next thing you know, it’s been weeks, and your project is no closer to being done than it was when you first started.
Sound familiar? If so, you need to start doing some creative exercises before diving into that.
Have you ever wondered why some people can seem more creative than others? Or why do even the most creative among us sometimes find ourselves stuck behind a mental block? It’s hard for many of us to imagine that anything other than talent has something to do with creativity, but in reality, there are a few simple ways that anyone can get their creative juices flowing. Allow me to explain.
Creativity can come out of the blue, but often, it happens when we’re relaxed. Still, creativity doesn’t happen — we need to do something to enable it. It is a muscle, and just like any other muscle, we need to exercise it — build it up over time. Before you know it, you’ll be able to get creative whenever you want.
Get Into The Zone.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “getting into the zone” before, but what does it mean? Well, let me tell you!
Getting into the zone is like a state of mind where you can do everything better. When you get into the zone, your brain works faster and more efficiently than usual. You start thinking more clearly, and you make better decisions. You’re able to focus on what matters most. It’s really like having superpowers!
The first step is to get into the right mindset. You need to be focused and ready to work. This means getting rid of all distractions — turn off your phone, close all tabs on your computer except the one you’re working on, and so on. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to get started.
Start With A Prompt
One of the best ways to start getting your creative juices flowing is to use a prompt. A prompt is simply something — a word, a phrase, a picture, anything — that you can use to jumpstart your creativity. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, and it doesn’t have to be something that you’re necessarily interested in. The point is to use it as a starting point and then see where your creativity takes you.
If you’re not sure what kind of prompt to use, there are plenty of resources out there that can help you. One of my personal favorites is listening to the same film score on Spotify while I work. It helps me focus and get into the right mindset and gives me something to listen to while I work.
Additionally, there are plenty of websites that offer creative prompts. A quick Google search will turn up tons of results.
Get Moving
One of the best ways to get your creative juices flowing is by exercising. You might be thinking, “But I thought exercise was boring.” And we hear you—we’ve been there too. But here’s the thing: when you exercise, it can help your brain think more creatively. Exercise has been shown to have all sorts of benefits for the brain, and one of those benefits is increased creativity.
Interestingly enough, a Stanford study showed that walking could increase creativity and is worth the read if you want to dive deep. So, if you’re feeling stuck, try going for a walk or doing some other form of exercise. You might be surprised at how helpful it can be.
If you’ve been working on something for a while and you’re just not feeling it, then it might be time to take a break. Step away from your work
But don’t worry—we’re not going to tell you that you must run a marathon or lift weights every day if you want to be more creative (though both will help). If a 30-minute walk every morning gives you enough energy for the rest of the day without being so intense that it makes your muscles sore or keeps you from focusing on other things later in the day, go for it!
But even if you don’t love working out or aren’t naturally athletic, there are still many ways to get moving and reap its creative benefits. You can dance around in your living room while cleaning up after dinner; take a dance class; go hiking; play tennis with some friends. You get the idea.
Let go of perfectionism.
One of the biggest things that prevents people from being creative is perfectionism. We want everything we create to be perfect, so we’re constantly editing and re-editing, not finishing anything.
Perfectionism is a creativity killer because it’s all about holding yourself back. It’s about not taking risks and playing it safe. Perfectionism is the enemy of creativity, so if you want to be more creative, you need to learn to let go of it.
One way to do this is to permit yourself to fail. Fail often and fail fast. The more you fail, the more you’ll learn, and the better you’ll get. Remember:
- Be open to new ideas
- Get comfortable with the idea of failure
- Challenge yourself
- Embrace change
- Be persistent
Creating something new can be a scary proposition, but it’s also an exciting one. It’s an opportunity to explore your creativity and see what you’re capable of. So go out there and just get started.
Stimulate your mind with new experiences.
One of the best things you can do is expose yourself to new ideas and experiences. The more you challenge your mind, the more flexible it will become, and the easier it will be for you to develop new ideas.
Studies have shown that when people are exposed to something new, their brains produce more dopamine. This chemical helps us sense pleasure and reward. That’s why we feel so good after having a great meal or watching a great movie! It’s also why we feel so good when exposed to something new: it activates that same dopamine-releasing system in our brain.
An interesting Ted talk that Giovanni Corazza gave showed that “thinking out of the box” is to move past the boundary conditions that we set for ourselves. This could be a new way of looking at things or simply breaking the routine we usually do daily. The talk is worth watching if you want to know more.
There are plenty of ways to introduce experiences into your life without spending money or leaving your house! One easy way is through books:
- Read something outside of your comfort zone (fiction vs. nonfiction).
- Read from an author outside your typical genre (sci-fi vs. romance).
- Listen to an audiobook instead of reading it.
You can also try new experiences like cooking a new recipe, taking a different route to work, or listening to a new type of music. The possibilities are endless!
So go out and explore the world.
Jot down ideas when they come to you.
Have you ever had a great idea pop into your head, only to forget all about it by the time you got home? Or had a great idea for a blog post and then forgotten it by the time you woke up the next morning? If so, that’s because you weren’t taking advantage of one of the best tools for creative people: your notebook.
Many people find that their best ideas come to them when they’re not actively thinking about them. When you jot down those ideas as soon as they pop into your head, they’ll often be more transparent and vivid than if you try to remember them later. Plus, if it’s an idea that could be useful in the future, it’ll save you even more time down the line!
You never know when the next big thing will come along—but if you’ve got it written down, you’ll be prepared to take advantage of it.
Study the work of other creatives.
One of the best ways to become more inspired is to study the work of other creatives. It is easier than ever to find inspiration, from books and art to influencers on social media.
You can develop your skills and techniques by learning from those who have come before you.
You can start by looking at the work of artists who have influenced your style or subjects. For example, suppose you’re a painter interested in creating landscapes. In that case, you might look at the work of Van Gogh and Monet to more recent artists.
If you’re a writer, you might look at the work of your favorite authors for inspiration. Or, if you’re interested in design, you might study the work of well-known designers.
In addition to looking at specific artists or creators, you can also learn from more general sources of inspiration. For example, if you. Picasso’s work is a great place to start if you’re more into abstract art.
If you’re a writer and want to learn how to write dialogue, read books by writers like David Sedaris or Joan Didion. If you want to write about nature, go back and read John Steinbeck’s novels about California.
Once you’ve learned what inspires you as an artist, try recreating their work yourself! Don’t worry if your first attempts don’t turn out well—keep trying!
Take a break.
You might not think it, but one of the best things you can do for your creativity is to take a break. When you’re constantly working, getting into a rut and becoming less productive is easy. But when you take some time off, you give yourself a chance to relax and recharge.
So how do you know when it’s time to stop working? Here are some signs:
You’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed.
You’re not enjoying your work anymore.
You’re finding it hard to focus or concentrate.
You’re not producing your best work.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s probably time to take a break. Step away from your work and take some time for yourself. Do something that you enjoy, such as reading, going for a walk, or taking a nap to recharge your batteries.
And if you still feel stuck after taking a break, don’t worry! Try this next tip.
Change your environment.
One of the best ways to jumpstart your creativity is to change your environment. If you’ve been working in the same place for a while, you might find that you’re starting to feel stale.
One way to change things up is to work in a different location. If you usually work at home, try going to a coffee shop or working in the park. Or, if you typically work in an office, try working from home for a day.
You can also change your environment without leaving your current location. For example, if you usually work at a desk, try working standing up for a change. Or, if you typically work in silence, try listening to music or white noise in the background.
No matter what kind of work you do, taking breaks is essential! Whether you’re writing an article or building an app, breaks will help your brain stay fresh so that you can produce your best work.
Do not give up.
Have you ever felt like giving up on your passion project? It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re working on something that doesn’t come naturally to you or when it seems like everyone else around you is doing better. But don’t let that stop you! The only way to truly achieve your goals is by sticking with them and seeing them through to the end.
So how do we stay motivated when the going gets tough? Well, there are a few things that can help:
First of all, remember why this project matters to you in the first place. Why did you decide to start working on it in the first place? What inspired you? Maybe it was because a friend suggested it, or perhaps it was because your boss asked for your ideas on how they could improve their company.
Either way, it’s essential to keep this initial motivation in mind as you continue working toward your goal.
Second of all, try not to compare yourself to other people. Everyone has different skillsets and perspectives on life, so comparing yourself against others will only make things more difficult for yourself. Instead of thinking about how someone else has done something better than you, focus on how you can learn from their example and do better next time.
And finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed! No one is expecting you to achieve your goals all by yourself—it’s perfectly okay to ask for help from friends, family, or even strangers. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to help you find the motivation you need to keep going.
Don’t let your dreams stay dreams, don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing what you want. Start small, try something new and see where it takes you. There might be a mountain of unchartered territory out there that you haven’t discovered yet, so keep your curiosity light and shine it on everything around you.
Who knows, there might be a whole other dimension in your world waiting to be discovered. It just might take some creativity to find that door. And you’re never too old to explore. So go out there and find your adventure!
What creative tips or exercises have helped you in your career, life, and health? Let us know in the comments below!
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References:
University, S. (2014, April 24). Stanford study finds walking improves creativity. Stanford News. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://news.stanford.edu/2014/04/24/walking-vs-sitting-042414/
TEDxTalks. (2014, March 11). Creative thinking – how to get out of the box and generate ideas: Giovanni Corazza at tedxroma. YouTube. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEusrD8g-dM
