Unleashing Creativity
Tapping into your creativity is route one to more agile thinking… so why is it so slippery? Because our brains need to take the scenic route: give people a problem to solve and a deadline and the most creative of them will take it to wire every time.
If you feel underwhelmed by your creativity right now, here’s five techniques to stoke the fire.
Cultivate Curiosity. One powerful source of inspiration? Curiosity. Creative powerhouse Albert Einstein once said, "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious". Open doors to new ideas by taking the time to explore new topics. Read books, go to lectures, have conversations that challenge your beliefs. Feed your curiosity and that’ll feed your creativity.
Connect with Nature. A walk in the woods, a stroll along the beach, making the effort to catch the sunrise, can all refresh your perspective. Richard Louv, in his book ‘Last Child in the Woods’, advocates connecting with nature to cement and enhance creativity and wellbeing. Nature-gazing and open-air walks provide a break from stress and overwhelm, too.
Stay Mindful. Being less busy and ‘scattered’ significantly boosts inspiration, conversely. Meditation, breathwork or moving mindfulness such as - yup, I’ll say it - improv, calm the mind and let the creativity shine. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh suggests, "To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself."
Embrace Diversity. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. A wide reach of perspectives and experiences is a powerful catalyst for agility, so seek out people from different backgrounds. As Maya Angelou said: “Diversity makes for a rich tapestry and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value”.
Capture Everyday Moments. Inspiration often hides in plain sight within the ordinary moments of our lives. Keep a journal and jot down thoughts, observations, fleeting ideas. Artist Sara Genn encapsulates it: "Inspiration is perishable – act on it immediately”. Document all ideas and there’ll be a reservoir of inspiration to draw from during creative blocks.
Further Reading:
‘Last Child in the Woods’ by Richard Louv. This book explores the importance of nature in fostering creativity and overall well-being.
‘The Miracle of Mindfulness’ by Thich Nhat Hanh. Practical insights for incorporating mindfulness into daily life; unlocking the potential for creativity.
In a world of distractions, finding inspiration requires deliberate effort. And above all? Be consistent. Create a foundation for awakening creativity and you’ll create a more agile mind - which makes for more resilience, confidence and problem-solving. It’s win-win.
Which one of these techniques will you fold into your everyday?