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             8 Ways to Awaken and Boost Your Creativity

What is Creativity? According to the Encyclopedia Britannica “creativity is the ability to make or otherwise bring into existence something new, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form.

Do you consider yourself a creative person? Can you easily come up with crafty ideas to enhance the appeal of your environment, presentations, or work? I know people who can walk in a space or see a project and immediately come up with a way to improve it. I also know folks who hear the word creativity and shut down or say things like:

I love reading poetry, but I could never write a poem.

I don’t know how to draw.

I don’t ever make anything because I’m not a creative person.

Guess what? All of us have a creative spark! It is linked to our ability to be critical thinkers and to think outside the box. Being an artist or considering yourself a creative person is tied to so much more than painting, writing, music, or dance. Do you consider hair stylists or chef artists? I do. Hairdressers, braiders, and barbers create beautiful hair styles or alter traditional styles to match the current trends. Chefs create new recipes or improve on old ones all the time. These jobs (like most jobs) require creativity and innovation which in my view is equal to artistic skill.

If you have a career that requires creativity or you’ve ever needed a creative solution to a problem, you’re aware of how challenging it can be to be creative on demand. Creativity seems to come and go with little rhyme or reason. Have you ever wished you could proactively boost your creativity? Keep reading for eight tips that do just that!

Like any other skill, the ability to increase your creativity gets better with practice and experience. Get started today, and try these strategies to help your creativity blossom:

Work in a new environment. It’s amazing how much a change of scenery can help! Try working in the library or a coffee shop. Rearrange your office and change the view. When you do the same things in the same place, you’ll tend to think the same thoughts. Turn off your autopilot and expose your senses to new stimuli.

Pretend you’re helping someone else find solutions. Many people find that they have more creative ideas when helping others solve their challenges. Pretend you’re helping a friend and let the ideas flow. Depersonalizing the issue seems to free up a part of the mind that’s otherwise stifled.

Brainstorm with a friend. Sometimes, a little help from a friend is just what we need. Call a friend or associate and ask what they think about the situation. Perhaps their recommendation is just the thing you need to help you move forward on your project. Side note: Have you ever noticed that you and a friend or coworker find more creative ideas between the two of you rather than when brainstorming in a group? Sometimes when a large group brainstorms, most of the group members lack a sense of accountability. It’s too easy to be passive. For brainstorming sessions, it may be more beneficial to stay away from large group sessions and pair up with just one other person. If you find yourself in a large group looking for solutions to a problem, take a chance and suggest pairing off and reporting back.

Try being creative at a different time of the day. If you normally create at a specific time of the day but find yourself stuck on a project, shift your creative time. For example, I usually write late at night. When I run into the dreaded writer’s block, I shift my writing time to in the evening or early morning. If you are running into creative stagnation, try staying up late or getting up extra early for a change. If you’ve been feeling stuck at 9 AM for a while, it’s time to try a different hour of the day. Set your alarm clock for 3 AM and force yourself to work for 20 minutes. The time change may be just what you need to move through your block.

Try some music. Few things can change your mood and get those creative juices flowing faster than a great song. It’s important to note if your favorites are affecting your focus, branch out and listen to something new. Don’t be afraid to move out of your musical comfort zone. I am a neo soul aficionado. Sometimes when I access my neo playlist, I find myself singing and reminiscing more than writing. When that happens, I listen to a little old-school R and B or Jazz, and it puts me in a different zone. I like the new genre but don’t know the music intimately, so I can still work without distraction and still bop a little.

Meditate. Meditation is a useful tool for giving your mind a well-needed break. You’ll find your thoughts start to become re-energized. Simple and elegant solutions often reveal themselves after a brief period of meditation. Meditation requires a little practice, but it’s easier to learn than you may think. Meditate on your challenges and be open to the thoughts that arise. Meditation is not just for new-age thinkers! It is considered a useful tool in the corporate world. Mindfulness works to enhance creativity and innovation. According to a 2017 article in the Harvard Business Review, “Many executives have taken up meditation because they find it helps them switch gears when stress piles up.” A quick Google or YouTube search can help you access some guided meditations. You can also reach out to meditation experts in your area.

Stay hydrated. Get a drink of water! Your body is mostly water. Even a small degree of dehydration causes all sorts of biological processes to go haywire. If you’re feeling stuck, take a minute to drink a large glass of water. Remember to drink throughout the day and the evening. Another way I use a glass of water in my creative process is by speaking my goals for my creative session into my glass of water and then drinking it. Although it is an unconventional use for water, it is a great intention setter and helps you get into a creative mindset.

Go outside. Try going outside for a little exercise. Going for a quick 10–15-minute walk is a fantastic way to get those creative juices flowing. You may lack a plan, but you can still get outside and do something stimulating!

Here is a bonus! Try Emotional Freedom Technique or Tapping. Tapping on certain meridian or energy points on your body can help release the blocks or stagnation that is causing your creative process to stall. You can contact us to purchase a creative tapping guide or set up a session. Email us at info@terribaileychats.com for more information.

Remember, creativity doesn’t always automatically happen. There are times when creativity is needed, but it’s nowhere to be found. Add these tips to your creativity toolbox to help the next time you’re feeling uninspired or stuck. If one strategy does not yield the results you desire, try another. With practice, you can learn to unleash your creativity on demand.