In the first article of this two part series, I shared why rekindling your creativity is so crucial to your business success. In today’s post, I want to share 9 techniques for sparking your creativity. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves, get out the crayons and play?
9 Techniques for Sparking Your Creativity
- Brainstorm. Generating ideas is usually the first step in the creative process. Put aside any judgments and just let the options flow. Now’s your chance to get zany and experimental. I love using large sheets of paper and markers to brainstorm so I can see all of my ideas in one place. When you are starting something new, the more ideas the better.
- Incubate. Before inspiration hits, there’s usually a quiet time while we digest our ideas. Help your unconscious mind along by taking a quiet walk or a relaxing shower. Routine tasks like washing dishes can also trigger insights. Think about a dilemma right before bed, and you may wake up with a solution. My husband and I do most of our incubating while walking together on the beach near our home.
- Take action. Make a plan for how to implement your ideas. Regard every attempt as a learning experience even if the immediate results fail to pan out. Remember that successful people succeed because they take more risks. My husband and I are stepping into the world of Facebook ads and online marketing campaigns. We are failing – often. But we are also learning what works and what doesn’t. Be willing to step out and try new things. When it doesn’t work, laugh and try something different the next time.
- Lighten up. Free up your fertile mind in one of these fun ways so that your mind can be open to receiving creative input.
- Some gentle aerobics and stretches will relax your body.
- Meditation or soft music can dispel anxieties or boredom.
- Humor is a very powerful tool for lowering inhibitions and seeing things more vividly. One of my mentors says during his live events, he will unwind in the evening by watching silly videos on YouTube that make him laugh.
- Change your routine. Any adjustment to your usual way of doing things can help you take a fresh look at life. Take an alternate route to work or visit a coffee shop on the other side of town. Expand your horizons by looking for ways to experience novelty on a regular basis. My husband and I love to work at a coffee shop or the beach on occasion to change the scenery we see every day in our home office.
- Observe the details. On the other hand, you can re-invent the most familiar aspects of your life by viewing them from a fresh angle. Think about how your kitchen would appear to an alien from space. Got kids? Invite them to share their perspective. Ask a friend or colleague for input. Sketch out the details using images and doodles instead of words, what do you notice?
- Ignore the clock. Get up early so you can savor the luxury of open-ended time. Forget about deadlines. Focus on the present moment instead of thinking about the next task you have scheduled. Feel what it’s like to be free from hurrying. Try to remember that sensation as you start your day. What I love most about being an entrepreneur is the freedom and flexibility in my schedule, especially during the summer when I don’t have kids in school! Getting up early and having quiet time with my coffee and my journal is crucial to my creativity.
- Get a hobby. Make the most of your leisure time with creative outlets that incorporate your passions. You may delight in watercolors. Or maybe you really get a kick out of working on cars. Some of my favorites are painting with acrylics and creating SoulCollage® cards.
- Seek inspiration. Surround yourself with whatever you find invigorating. Visit art museums or go camping. Spend more time playing with your kids and getting caught up in their excitement each time they see something new. Take your dog to a new park and make some friends. What inspires you? I think we often sit at home waiting for inspiration to strike when the truth is that inspiration is everywhere if we are willing to look for it!
Transform your life into a work of art by tapping into your creative side. Once you discover and develop your creativity, you’ll be on your way to feeling more accomplished and fulfilled. And you will be pleasantly surprised at the positive impact this will have on your business success!
DID YOU MISS THE FIRST POST IN THIS TWO-PART SERIES? Click here to read it now.
