Staying creative can be a challenge even for those with a knack for creativity. If you struggle with creativity, then coming up with new creative ideas is even harder. Sometimes people work too hard to be creative and just a little bit of change can help stimulate ideas. Ideas can come from anywhere and finding them often means opening up your mind to what is around you. You can gather ideas throughout the day as you do other things from people watching, watching television, reading articles, listening to music and investigating a topic you have become interested in. Taking time to breathe between tasks can also help. Walking away from your desk for 10 minutes to go outside or gardening for 15 minutes can allow your mind to disengage. Here is a list of ways to spark your mind to stay creative and boost productivity.
1. Work with Your Hands
Getting involved in a project that requires you to work with your hands such as gardening, scrapbooking, painting or woodworking can focus your mind. You need to concentrate when doing these types of projects which also releases your mind from previous thoughts. You can go back to your work later with a mind that is relaxed and ready to work.
2. Break Your Routine
Breaking your routine can mean going about your day in backwards order or trying one new activity for the day. Any change in pattern will break your mind out of the mold it is used to following, giving it a jolt that will help you think of new ideas.
3. Exercise
Physical exercise is a great way to invigorate your thoughts. Exercise gets the blood pumping to your body and your brain encouraging productivity. Jumping on a treadmill for 30 minutes, taking a walk, swimming or even a little ping pong may just be what your tired mind needs to get creative.
4. Surround Yourself with Creative People
Creative people are generally a bit different, but always doing something unusual. Whether they are writers, artists, dancers or musicians, creativity can move from them to you through observation and imitation. See what they do and how you can use their methods of expression to spark your creativity. You can also go to a show or performance to get some creative juices flowing.
5. Attend Workshops
Classes, workshops and conferences are all events that will offer new thoughts on topics that you may already be familiar with. You might learn new techniques, news or methods of improving your production or thinking about familiar topics.
6. Start an Idea Journal
An idea journal is a place that you can collect ideas when they come to you to use later on when you need them. You can use the journal for making lists, taking notes or posting images to remind you of the ideas you record. For some people, using a tablet or smartphone to journal their creative ideas is more practical.
7. Have Fun
Watching a movie, relaxing with friends, going out to lunch or playing a game are all ways to engender creative ideas. Having fun is similar to working with your hands or exercising in that it takes your mind off work and gives you another focus. When you are ready to return to work, your mind is ready too.
