5 Interesting Ways To Boost Creativity
At every human’s core is the desire to create. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all want to be creators of our own world. We want to shape our realities and put things into the world that brings benefit to others. This is an essential part of wanting to feel part of something.
Humans are herd animals. We enjoy being part of the pack because it helps us feel safe and secure. This is why public speaking has to be taught in most cases. Our brains whilst in front of everyone staring at us is moving us into flight mode. It is telling us that the whole pack is looking at us, rather than us looking with the pack.
One of the main reasons why we are fearful to create is because of this very fact. Our creations, whatever they might be, can be interpreted and judged by our fellow humans. When we create something we are being vulnerable with ourselves and the people around us. However, if we can overcome this fear, we can become better creators.
Reading “Wired to Create” by Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire has given me an insight into how we can become creators for ourselves before anyone else. I think the best creations come from those who enjoy the things they produce. They have a deep connection with their creative process and not only create for the benefits of others, but also themselves.
So, there are two points you can take away before we get to the main five. The first being, that to create we must become vulnerable. We must be open to criticism and be ready for the pack to judge our work. In doing so we become stronger creators and get better at our craft.
And second, learn to become deeply connected with your creative process. As a writer, I like to take a walk and smell the green scenery before I sit down at my desk. I fell in love with this process and it has connected me to my pieces of writing more deeply. Find a process that resonates with you and stick with it, this way, what you create pleases you before anyone else.
Anyway hope you enjoyed those two bonus tips. Now to get to the five you really came for.
1. Be a Child Again
Have you ever wondered why children can be left to their own devices for the whole day? As children, we tap into this innate desire to create. Because children are not fearful of judgement or impressing others they can experience the process of creating fear-free.
In imaginative play, children paint a whole new world in their head. They can be a superhero for one hour and then a builder the next. This ability to role play and imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes is vital for the creative process. It is interesting that as adults we begin to lose some of these amazing abilities we have as children.
So, how do we become a child again? Simple. Do what children would do. 😃 Create a time and space for yourself where you are able to tap into imaginative play again. You may not imagine yourself being a hero or builder anymore, but you can imagine other things which are more applicable to your adult life. Like being on a relaxing holiday at the beach or scoring a goal for your favourite football team.
You will be surprised by the results. Just take 5-minutes out of your day to imagine something fun in your mind will stimulate the creative ability your child self had. Even better if you have small puzzles or bits of Lego to play with. In those 5-minutes you can experience the joy of being a child again and in turn, improve your creative process for the next problem you may have to solve.
2. Create a Mess Then Find Joy In it
It is almost like being a child again, but not quite. You are going to be surprised how hard it is to create a mess purposely. As adults, we get so used to order and a set schedule we frown upon messy individuals. However, when it comes to children we stick their mess on our fridges.
However, there is a balance that needs to be found when it comes to creativity. We should not celebrate our mess as children do. But we can learn from creating a mess. Here is a task you can do:
Take a pen and paper and let your hand be free. Do swirls, scribbles and circles. Do whatever you want for about 5 minutes. You may find yourself trying to make it look pretty or trying to make it look organised. Stop yourself from doing this! It is your adult self again pushing against the child in you.
Once it is completed take a step back and look at your work. Then the next step is the best part. Find something you like about it. It could be a particular pattern you have seen or maybe something that looks like a face. Whatever you do try to pull something you like from it. Upon completing this task you would have just turned adversity into an advantage.
Life can get very messy sometimes, and it often takes creativity and positivity to get out of the problems life throws our way. To become better at creating you must learn to turn your dull situations round to your advantage. And you can do this by making a mess and finding something in it that you can turn round to put a smile on your face.
3. Be Open to Trying Something New
This one is self-explanatory. As we grow up our desire to try new things decreases. We start to learn that new things can bring about bad outcomes. Also, as we get more intelligent we learn more about the world around us, so are more cautious to attempt things.
Creative individuals are not like this at all. They are quite the opposite. Whenever new opportunities arise they are first to line up. Trying new things gives us a new outlook and perspective we would have never experienced otherwise. This fuels our creativity and helps us produce new ideas with the new experiences we have.
I have found that writing in a new environment helps me. Going to my local coffee shop or sitting at a bench in the park gives me an alternate experience of sitting at my desk. I tend to write much better and come up with more intriguing ideas when I switch my location.
Try your very best to experience something new at least once a week. It could be ordering from a new takeaway place or going somewhere you have never been before. The idea here is to get rid of the stigma that new things are bad. Creativity is all about coming up with something new, so if we are not open to new experiences our creations will always be conservative and never impress us or anyone else.
4. Be Sensitive
Have you ever been in a silent room and just hear the small humming of an electric component? How does it make you feel? On edge or at peace?
Being sensitive to our environment means we become more responsive to the things going on around us. Babies are extremely sensitive to noise, literally, anything can startle them and cause them to jump. As we get older we learn to block out noises and other things that can trigger our senses that appear less important. Like a car driving past or the wind blowing leaves on a tree.
However, to create something meaningful which represents the true experience we need to be sensitive to our environments. Mindfulness also plays a big part in this. Being able to remain present at the moment and understand what you are feeling in the present is important.
So, next time the wind blows or there is a change in temperature causing you to shiver, think about your feelings at that moment. Not only will it connect you with your environment more, but it will also give you the ability to express your feelings in a better way.
5. Recreate Perfection
We all have one thing in life that we think is absolutely perfect. It might be your favourite song or a piece of art. It could also be a film you enjoy watching. Either way, there are many things we enjoy in life that we would not change because we believe they are perfect the way they are.
However, to boost your creativity we must get rid of the idea of perfection. We must understand that perfection is a myth and nothing is truly perfect. Here is a task you can do to begin boosting your creativity:
Think of something you would not change for the world. That could be anything you can create. A painting like the Mona Lisa or your favourite dish at a restaurant. Then, recreate it. At first, you will probably start to get upset that you can not do it as “perfect” as the original creator can. But that is okay, you are not the original creator, you are another creator.
Creative individuals accept that their perspective is not perfect or right. In fact, creative individuals love to explore other perspectives as we highlighted in tip number 3. By recreating our idea of perfection, we learn that as creators we all have our own unique perspective on how we view and interpret things.
This is not to say that your Mona Lisa is better than Leonardo Da Vinci’s, but it does confirm something important. That perspective is everything, and your recreation of a masterpiece is just as valid as the masterpiece itself.
Through learning that we all see and experience things differently, we can gain an appreciation for others unique creative process.
Closing Thoughts
So, there are the five ways I have begun trying to boost my creativity, and it has been working well for me. Writer’s block has not come to haunt me in a while now. Everyone can create, but we must all have the courage to. And this courage does not come from trying to impress others with our creations, but instead, falling in love with our own creative processes.
If you do not take anything from this article take this. We are all creators, and can all become better if we learn how to create for ourselves first.
