How to Click On Your Most Creative Ideas
By Sandy Schroeder
Sometimes creativity seems simple, but not always. If you enjoy being creative at work and at home, you may find great ideas come and go. Just when you need them most, they may be hard to find. Then if you struggle to produce them they may become even more elusive.
Scott Barry Kaufman and Carolyn Gregoire talk about developing creativity as a habit and a way of connecting with the world on greatergood.berkeley.com. Drawing from their book, Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind, they say we are all wired to create. The key is to realize creativity comes in many, many forms, from new ideas to photos, words, fashion and countless other creations. They encourage us to be open to our ideas, exploring them with these suggestions.
Engage in pretend play – Reaching all the way back to the times as a kid when you imagined you were superman or superwoman, the idea is to use imaginative play to create new ideas. If you notice you feel differently depending on how you are dressed, you might use that as a starting point to create new angles for a project. Start with a few props and let your imagination roam.
Tap into your passions – Think about the things that move you and use them as a springboard to create new visions. You might link your favorite music to a presentation you are making. Or you might take your favorite colors and use them as the background for some materials your company will be using. You might also make a list of your passions, such as cooking, photography, or woodworking and then incorporate those passions into ideas that you can use at work.
Put daydreaming to work – Science says daydreaming, or mind wandering, really can lead to fresh ideas. If you find yourself stuck in the midst of a work session, take a five-minute break to let your mind wander. Doodle on a sketch pad, or take a brief walk. You might return with a whole new approach.
Slip into your own world – Before you tackle a new project, set aside a little time to be by yourself. Establish a comfortable spot where you can relax and reflect. When we are constantly on duty, interacting with others, creativity often takes a backseat. When we slip away and let our thoughts take over, we can tap into deeper thoughts that might create all sorts of new possibilities.
If these approaches work for you, keep looking for additional ways to stimulate your creative energy. Enjoy the process.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Morrisville, N.C.