5 Tips to Boost Creativity
Stuck in a rut? Struggling to come up with creative ideas? You’re not alone. Most of us struggle with creativity from time to time. Some are stuck in a rut longer than others. Believe me. But there are a few things you can do to break out of that rut and boost your creativity.
- Break Your Routine
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” — Albert Einstein
A change of scenery can do you good. Try to break your routine. Go out for a walk, visit a library, take a different route to work. Small changes offer a new perspective. Often, this is enough to spark your creativity.
2. Embrace Your Inner Child
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” — Pablo Picasso
The children are our future (sorry Whitney — RIP). Seriously though, as we age we lose that sense of creativity and wonder we had as children. Tap into it. Engage in playful activities like doodling, or even building a fort — play with your kids toys. It can loosen your approach and help you come at creativity with an open mind.
3. Collaborate with Others
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
Collaboration is a great way to generate ideas. Bounce your ideas of other creatives. Seek people outside of your field to bring fresh perspectives.
4. Try Mind Mapping
“Creativity is just connecting things.” — Steve Jobs
A mind map is simply writing down your main idea on the center of a sheet of paper. Then create branches with related concepts and ideas. You’d be surprised where you might end up.
5. Take a Break
“The creative process is not like a situation where you get struck by a single lightning bolt. You have ongoing discoveries, and there’s ongoing creative revelations. Yes, it’s really helpful to be marching toward a specific destination, but, along the way, you must allow yourself room for your ideas to blossom, take root, and grow.” — Carlton Cuse
Creativity is mentally taxing. Give your brain time to rest and recharge. Creativity needs to be nurtured and developed over time. Take a breath. Take a break. And remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
