There might be times you find yourself lacking in creativity. This is especially difficult when you want to launch a new marketing campaign for a cool new product or service.
The cause for your lack of creativity can be for different reasons. It could be you haven’t been using your creative muscles regularly. They are still there, but they’ve become hidden.
So now you want to coax your creativity out. Let’s try some tricks you can use to improve your creative thinking on a regular basis.
Creative Routines
One of the best ways to keep yourself inspired to create every day is to have rituals in place that you use regularly and routinely. Having routines that inspire you conditions your brain to tap into your creativity easily.
Some examples of a ritual might be to
- Read in the morning.
- Listen to music every day.
- Meditating for 5 minutes. (And not on your financials!)
- Deep breathe throughout the day.
Stretch Your Creative Muscles!
All of these rituals are also good “self-care” steps too.
Creating something every day, even if you only have 5 or 10 minutes to do so, keeps your creativity alive and inspired.
I’m not asking you to create a masterpiece. Write a short article or blog. Draw mind maps in meetings. Maybe develop a collateral new product idea. Creatively re-arrange and organize your files. Take photographs of the sunset. Or better yet, the sunrise.
Creative Breaks
Take breaks often. Especially when you feel stuck with a problem and can’t find the solution. Taking breaks allows your mind to focus on something else while getting inspiration.
It’s also good to take a break from all the digital chatter in our lives regularly. Get outside and unplug at least once a week, preferably daily, to build your creative thinking muscle.
Whenever you feel inspired, make a list of those ideas in a small notebook or note app in your phone. Use these ideas as launching pads for new ways of doing things, new products or whatever inspires you.
Have fun regularly. Go out with friends or colleagues for some time away from the routines that are keeping your stuck. Laughing, good conversation and bouncing ideas off each other builds and inspires your creativity while helping you relax and have fun.
Three Creative Questions
Use the “Three Ifs” to ask clever questions to inspire your thoughts on a concept. Build your creative thinking by asking questions like these:
- What would happen if I change it (the object, system, etc.)?
- What would I change or improve about it if I wanted to use it in 10 years?
- What would I do if I had a one-million-dollar investment to improve it?
These questions or ones like them, can be powerful tools to help you think differently.
Repeatedly use the three questions test in all types of the situations. Ideas will begin to flow and enable you to think more creatively.
Peak Creative Time
Take advantage of the peak hours that you feel most productive and creative when you need to find a solution. Some people are more creative during times of emotional stress.
Whatever that time is, use it to let your creative juices flow. Put on some music, surround yourself with inspiring things and just be creative.
Interact with creative and inspiring people on a regular basis to get fresh ideas and perspectives. These interactions and exchange of ideas can help you re-focus on the creative ideas that work best for you and help you narrow down your options.
Creative Risk-taking
Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks to improve your creative thinking.
When you avoid taking risks you end up suppressing your ideas. Risks give you permission to think outside the box and embrace your creative ideas.
Some people are more creative than others, naturally. But everyone can be a creative thinker. Build your creativity in ways that help you be inspired and creative all the time.
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