How To Increase Creativity And Overcome Creative Block
You woke up early, dressed in your favourite outfit and are feeling optimistic about your day. You got to your desk only to find your creativity is taking a little nap. “Have you tried turning it on and off again”? When your job requires you to come up with creative ideas, designs and words, it’s tough having a creative block when you are, well, a creative.
No need to fear fellow creatives, here are 5 tools and tips to unlock your creativity and keep you inspired, motivated and focused:
Think Like A Kid
“The most sophisticated people I know — inside they are all children.” — Jim Henson
Kids think freely and are more willing to try new things, fail and try again. One of the biggest challenges adults face is self-doubt. Move past failure, take some risks, and have some fun.
Take A Break
Creativity can’t be forced. Doing a mundane task will not only help you tick something off your list, make you feel accomplished, and give yourself the opportunity to step away from your project. Give your brain some time to recharge — you might be surprised to find a new solution.
An Extra Set Of Eyes
Order some pizza and clean your whiteboard! We are having a brainstorm session. #ThinkBig #HelpMe
Staring at the same project for too long may give you creative fatigue. Ask a creative buddy for advice or facilitate a brainstorm. They might have a solution to your problem that you have not thought of yet.
Fuel Your Creativity
Read a book
We suggest reading 📖: The Creative Thinking Handbook: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Problem Solving in Business
Think outside the box. Sound familiar? Chris Griffiths gives you a step-by-step strategy to develop your creative problem solving, removing the box completely.
Look at some inspiration
Here’s where we go for a little bit of inspiration 💡: InspirationFeed
Hey, it’s not easy to constantly come up with new creative ideas. When you have a source of inspiration, whether it’s a Pinterest board or scrolling through the ‘gram, you’ll be able to reignite that creative fire. Inspiration helps you achieve goals you never thought possible!
Stay motivated with a podcast
Here’s what we’re listening to 🎧: Creative confidence podcast
In it, IDEO U shares conversations with creative thinkers, game changers and creative minds, always leaving you feeling motivated and inspired.
Listen To Your Body
Whether it’s yelling “Burpees, Burpees, Burpees,” “I need a nap,” or “feeeed me,” be kind and allow yourself to recharge. After a small rest, your creative brain will be ready to embark on some magical ideas. As creatives, it is important to give yourself a break, listen to your body and give it what it needs. A tired, hungry and stressed out body will keep you from producing your best work.
Fun fact:
Salvador Dali, Albert Einstein and Leonardo Da Vinci are just some of the greatest minds who believed in the power of napping.
Creative block is only temporary and it happens to the best of us. When you feel like your creativity is taking a nap, don’t get despondent, explore these tools and tricks to increase your creativity and overcome your creative block.
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