9 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Ability to Think Creatively
(Part 2)
This article is part 2 in a series. Read part 1 here.
The ability to think creatively doesn’t always just come at the snap of a finger. To keep your imagination active, you need to do certain things on a regular basis to exercise those muscles (or neural pathway connections ) in your brain. Here’s 5 (more) ways you can do this.
You’re not getting in the zone
Participate in an activity that you can zone out in. Something you can do without thinking, like knitting, painting, or washing the dishes. These types of repetitive tasks give your mind an opportunity to roam free and daydream.
You need to change up your environment
Sometimes rearranging the space you’re working in can freshen things up so you can see things in new ways. In addition, if your room is messy and cluttered, the stress of that can weigh you down and inhibit your creativity. Clear that out and get organized to boost your focus.
If you’re unable to change your environment (like, in an office building, for example), changing up your day-to-day routine could be just as effective. Talk with someone new or do something different on your lunch break. If you’re really in a rut, consider taking a vacation to boost your creativity .
You need to meditate
Our modern lives are filled with buzzing noises, flashing lights, busy schedules, differing opinions, and information overload. It’s a lot for our brains to handle! Sometimes we just need a minute (or 15) to sit in the quiet and let your mind enjoy some relaxation and freedom. It’s like a mini vacation for your brain.
There are several ways to approach meditation . You might try to clear your mind of thoughts altogether. Or focus on one, single thought. Or even open your mind up to let all thoughts and ideas come in. If you’re the praying time, many people count prayer as a form of meditation. Whatever your approach, giving your mind an intentional break will allow it to recharge its creative capacity.
You need to learn some new things
Take some time to learn about something new -something unique from your usual subjects you’re reading about or practicing on a regular basis. Of course, one of the best ways to do this is to read something. A blog article, a news piece, a nonfiction self help book, or a fiction novel (yep, you can definitely learn something new from fiction).
You can choose to learn whatever you want. Just make it interesting and fun. Learning new things can help you make new connections and form new ideas that would never have come about otherwise.
You’re afraid to put yourself out there
This is a touchy one, but it’s important to address. Being creative is a big risk. It’s putting your innermost thoughts, feelings, and ideas out there for the world to see. You might fail. Some people may not like what you have to offer. Put it out there anyway.
If you want to increase your creative ability, you have to be willing to take some risk. You’ll also need to develop some thick skin to take on negative feedback and use it to improve.
All this while keeping in mind that you may also get some incredibly positive feedback, as well. Letting the world see your work is a big risk-but not every letting your imagination be free is a big risk, too. Think of the good your efforts could do. The people your ideas might help. Or the joy they could bring to people. When you let fear force you to hide away, you don’t allow yourself to make a difference in the world with your unique gifts.
Your cowering benefits no one. Stop hiding. Get those creative juices flowing. Build something amazing, and then proudly put it out there for the world to see.
P.S. Need more inspiration?
There is a whole lot that could be said about creativity-this post definitely isn’t enough to cover it all. If you’re looking for some good reads to really inspire your creative work and thinking, check out these books:
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles , by Steven Pressfield. This book is about conquering the procrastination, creative ruts, and self-doubt that hold you back.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear , by Elizabeth Gilbert. Unleash your imaginative mind to freely express your ideas. And grow to enjoy the process of creating, not just the end result.
Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All , by Tom Kelley and David Kelley. This book reveals how creativity is not only for “artsy” people, but essential to productivity and goals achievement.
And if you’re curious to find even more books on creativity, check out .
Happy reading!
Originally published at https://parkwriters.com on May 12, 2021.