Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
People always seem to think that only a select few people are able to constantly unleash a steady flow of creative thoughts and ideas – but that is not true at all. The reality is that creativity is just like a muscle that needs to be consistently exercised in order to give out great results on a regular basis. If you do not practice harnessing creative thinking, this skill will fade away into inexistence. However, if keep working this skill you will find your self having creative thoughts all the time.
So how do you unleash your creative thinking? There are 5 steps to unleashing creativity – and they are:
1. Become A Human Leech
Well, the first thing is that you have to become a human leech. I’m not talking about sucking the life out of every living being available, but instead that you should be taking in as much knowledge and learning you can find. Read everything available — good and bad (this is why I read so many blog posts each day!), and always keep your mind open to to possiblities, because a closed mind stunts creativity. The more you know, the more you’ll want to know.
2. Exercise Creativity Daily
You need to focus on a creative activity everyday. I know it’s an effort. It doesn’t have to be anything massive, even doodling is a creative activity. But for people who are just starting out to unleash a little bit of creative thinking in their lives, it is helpful (and encouraging) to have concrete evidence, that, “hey, what I’m doing is getting somewhere.” So why don’t you try it. Practice drawing for a couple of minutes each day. Bring out your old camera and start snapping photos like crazy. Whatever it takes for you to be exercising your creativity!
Before you know it, you’ll have built yourself a tiny portfolio, and you’ll be amazed at the growth you’ve undertaken after amassing all those works of art. Who knows, you might actually take to liking those things you do everyday. Pretty soon those things will become a part of you and you’ll be addicted to these creative exercises.
3. Be An ‘INSIDE The Box’ Thinker
Think out of the box — or don’t. Sometimes, constraints are actually a good thing. Limitations discipline you to work within your means. It enables you to be more resourceful. Creative freedom is awesome, but limitations enforce discipline – and challenges you to work with the tools that you have.
4. Try Something New Everyday
Try something new everyday and let it broaden your perspective. Explore a new district in your neighborhood. Spend an afternoon in an art gallery or museum – go where you’ve never been before. Chat to someone on the bus. Open up to the people around you. As you take yourself out of your comfort zone more and more each day, your sense of adventure grows and so does your creativity. Think about it. When was the last time you did something for the first time? If it’s been a while, then I encourage you to step out and start living creatively!
5. Embrace Insanity
Embrace insanity. Not to the point where you are admitting yourself into the mental ward. John Russell once said, “Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting.” Every creative thought was once deemed insanity by other people at one time or another. Luckily, that didn’t stop the creative geniuses from standing by them. The thing is, sanity or being normal confines people to think normally. With their limits. It’s important that your creativity doesn’t get you detached from the real world completely.
I hope this inspires you to start thinking beyond your limits. Start living a life full of interesting adventures and unleash your creativity!
Great post Number 1 and 4 especially are things i try and do.
David Hobsons last blog post..Your Thoughts On Twitter
STUMBLED!
Good post, I especially like #2.
Geoservs last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
Nice piece of work, Tom. Very well written. I love the part on “an inside the box thinker”. That’s the first I’ve ever heard of but it certainly makes sense.
Yan
Blogging Tipss last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
Tom ~ great post … I don’t think of myself as very creative so I’ll let you know how I do this year on these exercises. *SmiLes* Suzanne
Embracing Insanity is just something for “real” and I agree with the concept behind it
theaffiliates last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
Nice post. I especially like #1 and #4. Your mind needs new material in order to be creative. So I agree, its important to regularly exercise it by reading and seeing/experiencing new things.
(Btw, I think that you should check out your CommentLuv plugin. It only lists your last post, not your viistors’.)
I’m a very natural creative person and I think it’s because I truly know what I value in life and I’m not afraid to go and get it.
This allows me to set my mind to do anything I want as long as I put my mind to it. It may not seem like it but this little tactic can create a lot of creativity in your daily life.
IronBloggers last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
I agree that reading different blog is great for new ideas and creativity. I also find using sites like StumbleUpon and digg are a great way to discover new info and ideas.
-Gerald Weber
Houston search engine optimizations last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
Outstanding! Exercise Creativity Daily, you must be the first blogger to have offered this suggestion to be artistic.
My neighbor jogs every morning, I walk :) … anyhow, I noticed her taking pictures at 430am! Of course, I walked up to her and asked why? Sun is not out….. She responded: I started BLOGGING and thought this would inspire me to write a post today. LOL :) Go figure
Laura-Whateverebays last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
Embracing insanity is something I do all the time. Now from this article I don’t feel like I am crazy anymore. :)
Comment love is showing your own post again. Why does it do that?! I turned mine off.
Ben Morenos last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
Very great article, Tom. Now I have some more reading to do :D
-Mike
Win Prizess last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
Laura – that is a great idea! Pictures bring about so much creativity and thought.
Ben – I am just about to remove comment love. I’ll try adding it again when I launch the redesign.
Great post tom!! I’ve always found that being creative comes naturally at times, while others I don’t seem to have a creative bone in my body lol
BTW I think your commentluv is messed up – it seems to just be linking everyone back to your blog
Taris Janitenss last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
I read many different types of blogs too to gain insperation. Being creative depends on getting the personal spark for the day. I guess it has been missing for a couple of days for me . LOL.
*Ur Comment LUvs not working *
Dominiques last blog post..Unleashing Creativity In 5 Easy Steps
3 and 4 are great pointers
Good call guys, suggestion 1 is a great idea. Everything can serve to trigger a thought in your mind, so utilize all of it to your advantage to inspire new great ideas!
great post! i fully stand behind going out into the world, making your life interesting, and then talking about it or sharing with others through your blog.
Great article, I have seen or read many of these before, but it’s always nice to have a little reminder. I especially like numbers 1 & 2.
You need to be a human sponge and take in everything you see, hear, and read in daily life.
I like the stuff I am reading,and to say a word I’d rather add creativity is given by the creator but from apart,and it can be mastered participating in the creative process.
All great points tom. I am always trying new ideas and thinking of new ideas. I like having think tank discussions with other creative people to get the juices flowing.