It is basic human nature to be creative. It is a quality that we all have buried inside of us, one way or the other. Creativity involves the invention of something new or the re-invention of something already existing to make it useful or interesting.
Some people’s creative abilities are closer to the surface and one can easily see the manifestations of them. People say that their creativity is “inborn”. For others, expressing creativity takes more time and cultivation.
The important thing to note is that we all can be creative. It’s just that in most of our western societies, we never learn to appreciate intuition, creativity, dreams and all of those woo-woo classified things. So for most people, we never develop or even acknowledge these inner talents that we possess. As with anything you don’t use, it slowly brittles away.
But there’s no need to worry, we can take some easy steps to practice and it will soon open up a flood of inspiration! If you feel like you need a little more creativity or maybe a change of perception, you can try the following:
Change your perspective
We all have heard the phrase ‘Think outside the box’. Try looking at the situation from a different point of view. Change your perspective.
‘Change how you see and see how you change’. - Zen proverb
Take a bird’s eye view. Consider all factors that are affected by your problem or your concern. Try to break down the problem into several elements, then shuffle them around. Think of what would happen if an idea is replaced, removed or added. This aspect is important in enhancing creativity because it helps you remove possible fixations and unconscious programming, that may hinder your creative juices from flowing.
2. Mentally move away from your current location
Imagine how another person would react if subjected in the same situation. Picture how different situations would continue when dealing with the same problem. Application in different settings can also be done; and then from there, adapt a solution to the current setting.
3. Let your imagination run wild
Exercise your imagination. You can be creative in almost every moment!
Let yourself play like a child.
Modification is a way to trigger creativity, because you see things in a different light. You can also exaggerate and think of the extremes, be it magnification or minimization of something. Thinking of possible differences between two situations can produce ideas. This is the ultimate brain exercise.
4. Your comfort spot
The environment is important. You need a space where you can focus without being unnecessarily disturbed, so you can give a problem your full attention. However, be flexible because at least with small children it’s not always possible to escape into some chamber to ponder away. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it! There is always some time if you decide to prioritise it.
Your environment extend to the people you surround yourself with. You are the sum of the five people you most spend your time with. You tend to do better at something when you are with like-minded people with the same objective. There truly is power in numbers as it amplifies the intentions and the energy. To put it simply, hang out with creative people to help enhance your creative abilities.
5. Time, time, time
You can’t rush creativity. Hurrying kills the outflow of ideas. Your mind tends to go into a state of slight disarray when you are trying to force things. Studies show that results produced in this state are generally lacking. If you are low on time, then keep a list of activities like this one close to you. Go over each of the activities and exercise each one. Give it time.
In order to let the inspiration come through, we need to get quiet. We need to tell our monkey mind to relax, chill out while we are hanging out in divine inspiration. When you just relax, set an intention and daydream / doodle / meditate / go for a walk / get out into nature / take a bath or whatever you enjoy, often we find that the soulutions come to us. When we stop chasing, our soul can speak.
6. Get help…communicate your ideas to others
A different view of the problem could help. Better yet, many different views! Never be shy to ask. Diversity is very helpful in relation to creativity. Organize a brainstorming session. The spontaneous generation of new ideas helps in formulation of more ideas. The products of brainstorming can be the raw material in the construction of the idea.
For a successful brainstorming session, 4 rules are followed:
There should be no criticisms. Criticism hinders the free flow of ideas. Editing must be postponed until the session has ended. This is critical!
Combining and/or modifying ideas are encouraged.
Quantity is preferred over quality in brainstorming.
Weird or strange ideas are encouraged.
When we change our perception and look at everything from a sense of child-like awe, we can open our minds to learning and un-learning without prejudice. Remove the boundaries from your mind and you will find your creativity will increase.
We are creative, we cannot not be. It’s an innate human aspect and we all can do it. We just need to dust it off a little! How inventive can you be? How open are you?
Let the windows of your mind wide open and let the subtle breeze of soul caress your imagination to flow in joy and awe of whatever might come through. Enjoy the process!
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