How to be creative when you’re not naturally creative
Everyone has their own ways they like to “get in shape.” To help you get started, here is a few ways to jog your creative thinking.
Start with a morning freewrite
- Focusing solely on how much you have to get done can stress us out, and it can even cause us to lose perspective on our own thinking
- One way to refocus is to do a morning “freewrite,” a personal compilation of thoughts that don’t need to make sense to anyone but you
- Writing in a more free-form style will allow your creative juices to flow, while also forcing you to put your thoughts into written words
Listen to music while you work
- Listening to music can help you focus on whatever task you are doing
- It can also put you in a better mood, and even calm your nerves if you are feeling anxious
- Some of the most work conducive genres include classical, electronic, and video game soundtracks
Take a creative course
- A classroom setting could give you the opportunity to open up to others by way of workshop-style critiques
- By sharing your ideas with others, you’ll be forced to find ways to formulate your thoughts into words and visuals, while learning to handle critique from others
Join a coworking space
- Flexibility and autonomy encourage creativity
- Have the ability to customize your workspace to suit personal preference
- Create an environment that is conducive to your personal style of work
- Collaboration can be catalyzed by like-minded, innovative people
Brainstorm while you exercise
- Research shows that exercise can be linked to more creative thinking
- Take 30 minutes out of your day to go for a run, do an energizing yoga flow, or practice some deskercises
- It’ll benefit both your body and mind
Unwind by watching funny content
- A laugh can bring you closer to moments of inspiration
- Humor also puts you in a better mood, allowing you to think more freely and better solve creative problems
- Look at your project from a more lighthearted perspective, you’ll allow yourself to have a fresh perspective
Travel to other places
- Expose yourself to an entirely different point of view through a new cultural experience
- Keeping your sense sharp allows the synapses in your brain to think in new ways
- Foreign experiences increase cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms
Channel your inner child
- Instead of being concerned or self-conscious that your work isn’t good enough, be willing to take risks to push your creative limits
- Have fun with your work
- Make the most of every moment
- Focus all your energy into one project at a time