Creativity cannot be answered by a simple “Yes, I'm creative” or “No, I’m not.” It’s not defined by being an artist, designer, or musician. I’ll let you in on a small secret – we are all creative and can each do simple things to enhance our creativity.
Photo by Marius Christensen on Unsplash
At least once, I bet you’ve heard something like… “We were all creative as kids. But as we grew up, our creativity was slowly squashed, turning us into unimaginative adults.”
I’m here to tell you to ditch this way of thinking. I won’t argue about the validity of the statement. However, I will shout until I’m blue in the face to say that your creativity isn’t gone. We need to stop defaulting to excuses of why we’re not creative and start embracing the notion that creativity is a skill, just like any other. It can be learned, honed, and advanced throughout our lives.
Let’s look at a few simple things you can implement in your week – starting today – to train your creative muscles.
Do nothing:
That’s right. Do nothing for a change. We’re used to today’s fast paced environment and are often clinging to a smart device. For many of us, our phone is likely the first thing we grab in the morning. It’s hard to resist scrolling on social media when we’re waiting for a friend to meet us at a restaurant or sitting at a red light. For creativity, it’s crucial to let our minds wander, daydream, and take in our surroundings. We need to fight the urge to reach for our phones or sit in front of the TV during downtime.
Here's a few ideas on doing nothing:
In the morning: Don’t check your phone until after you’re up and have prepared – and enjoyed – your morning coffee, tea, or breakfast.
In the afternoon: Go on a walk outside with no distractions. This means resisting the temptation to listen to music or talk on the phone.
In the evening: Meditate for 5-10 minutes.
Play a game:
As a card game and board game enthusiast, I’ve seen the positive benefits that playing can have on my mood and creative thinking. According to Psychology today, “Research shows that play, by boosting positive mood, can help us be not only happier but also more inventive.”
Here's a few ways to incorporate more games throughout the week:
In the morning: Complete a word/logic puzzle (e.g., crossword, sudoku, etc.) with a puzzle book or daily calendar.
In the afternoon: Take a 15-minute break to put together a handful of pieces on a jigsaw puzzle that you come back to over the course of a week or two.
In the evening: Shoot some hoops outside or play a family board game.
Change your work surroundings:
Research shows that social and physical “nudges” as small as different colors in the room can impact creativity. If you’re used to working in the same spot, shake things up by sitting in difference places at the office or your home. Take it from Robert Epstein, Senior Research Psychologist, “If it’s the same old stuff on the walls and your desk – and the same people you’re talking to – that’s not necessarily good for creativity.”
Here's a few things to try when working from home:
In the morning: Change up the objects or visuals around you. Easily rearrange the items on your desk or shift the direction you face. If you’re up for more of a creative challenge, have a bulletin board in front of you and swap images every few days.
In the afternoon: Take a casual meeting while you’re on a walk.
At the end of the work day: Invite a coworker or colleague you haven’t connected with recently for a virtual or in person coffee/happy hour chat.
PRO TIP: If none of these hacks work for you, at least take a few minutes to understand what your creative personality is. Adobe’s Creative Types quiz can help you with this!
Sources: PsychologyToday.com; Entrepreneur.com
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