Being creative can be difficult.
Finding new ways to approach ideas, projects and tasks can seem impossible at times.
However, there are specific ways you can approach this goal.
If you are ready to unlock your creative potential, check them out below.
ALWAYS BE WILLING TO TRY NEW THINGS
According to Scott Kaufman at the University of Pennsylvania, to be a truly creative person, you need to fill yourself with a plethora of new and inspiring experiences.
After all, if you spend all day doing the same old things, where are you going to find that creative spark?
Personal growth is directly tied to experiencing new ideas, scenarios, and media, so get out there and start exposing yourself to whatever you can.
By trying new stuff, you will begin to find that “new stuff” starts finding its way into your thoughts, ideas and behaviour.
TAKE FREQUENT WALKS
Many famous people have come up with culture changing ideas when on a stroll, so who knows, maybe you could be next.
Steve Jobs for example used to love going for walks. They helped him come up with new ideas and solutions.
Why does this work?
Scott Kaufman says it’s because the best ideas often don’t arise when we’re actively thinking about something. Movement, ideally surrounded by nature, facilitatea unconscious creative connections and insights.
ENJOY A RELAXING SHOWER
The shower is a place where you can relax, and set yourself apart from many aspects of the normal everyday world.
As you stand there naked and exposed, completely relaxed while you enjoy the hot water, you begin thinking of ideas that escape you in a normal mental state.
In fact, a recent study showed that 72% of people reported finding new and exciting ideas while in the shower.
THINK FROM THE ‘OUTSIDE’
To be creative, you have to be willing to think ‘out of the box.’ I know, I know, it’s a cliché. But let’s get a bit more specific.
From a work perspective, you need to think beyond the boundaries, restrictions and traditions of your function/industry. Or get external perspectives.
The best ways to do this are to think like a child, trade problems with another person, pretend you’re solving someone else’s problem or distance yourself from the situation.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO REFLECT
Find the time and the space for solitude, which provides you with some well deserved “me” time.
Solitude helps to stimulate the part of the brain known as the default or imagination network.
This area is responsible for creating mental simulations based on past experiences and also for imagining alternative perspectives/scenarios to the present.
DON’T GIVE UP
More than anything else, you have to constantly strive to be creative.
Finding that innovative idea or approach doesn’t happen overnight, but after many, many attempts of frustrating and seemingly endless striving.
The best creative minds have come up with A LOT of ideas/stuff over time. Not all of then were great. But that increased the chances of them arriving at something which was amazing.
Good ideas can take time: