We all know the gut-wrenching feeling of the “blank page.” You want to be creative, but somehow it’s just not coming out. It is especially gut-wrenching when you have a deadline. Unfortunately, as most of us have already learned, there is no way to “force” creativity. However, there are some things we can do to help ignite it.
1) Change Your Scenery While You Work
If you work in the same spot for eight hours a day, five days a week, it’s no wonder you’re stuck in a rut. Take your laptop to a local coffee shop, put some headphones in, and start working. (Not to mention the caffeine boost.) Get creative with where you work. Don’t go to the same coffee shop all the time. Discover new spots in your local area. In fact, one of the best ways to be productive and ignite creativity is going to a place that forces you to focus, like a park without a Wi-Fi connection.
If you don’t have the ability to change where you work, try changing up your space a bit. Get a plant. Open a window. Get a cute little action figure and keep it on your desk. Sometimes, even changing your computer’s wallpaper is enough to help you get out of that rut.
2) Explore Like-Minded Work
You’re trying to write a great novel, but you haven’t read a great novel in years. That’s an issue. Another way to ignite creativity is to explore the work of others. If you’re a designer, start checking out Dribbble and Behance. If you are a writer, pick up a great book. Are you an artist? Go check out a local art museum, and sign up for an art class.
3) Take a Walk
There is nothing too profound about this one. Exercise helps boost your creativity and productivity.
Close your laptop. Go for a walk or jog; whatever it is that you’re into. Explore areas of your neighborhood that you have never been to and talk to the neighbors you’ve never met.
4) Change Your Routine
For a lot of us, it’s easy to set a routine and never change it up. When you do the same things every day at the same time, it is no wonder your mind is a little stiff! Wake up a little earlier, work from your porch or go out and see a movie on a Monday night. Work a little bit later, or wake up a bit earlier. Changing your routine even a little is enough to ignite some creative juices.
5) Step Away
Sometimes the best way to ignite creativity is to stop trying to force yourself to be creative, and just stopping. Step away from your computer, take a short road trip, or let yourself sleep in on a Saturday morning instead of trying to get up and force creativity upon yourself because you “have to.” You don’t have to. Take an afternoon nap, read a book on a completely new and unrelated topic to whatever you are working on, or if you are religious, take the time to pray and read Scripture. Whatever it is that you do, just take a rest. You might find that when you step back in, it’s far easier to be creative then it was before.
What are some ways that you ignite creativity? Please tell me below in the comment section.
I ignite creativity by trying things I have never tried before and starting new things, even if it’s the simplest thing. Something about doing this helps me see things in a new perspective and I learn things along the way. Great post, Jordan!
Thanks Adam! Trying new things is always great.
Young children don’t seem to have all the hangups and limitations that adults do for creative expression. Tap into your inner child!
Absolutely, Glenn!
I seem to be most creative when I’m relaxed and not really trying to be creative. When I start trying really hard, creativity shrivels up! I appreciate the post.
Absolutely, Daniel! Often creativity comes when we don’t force it.
Which sounds easy enough, unless your career is dependent on your creativity! Thankfully, mine is not 🙂
Me too Daniel!
I’m glad I’m not the only one! 🙂
Jordan, I find stepping away is the hardest for me because though physically I get up and move. My mind is still back there trying to figure it out.
One thing that works for me is to stop caring so much. Sounds counterintuitive but once I say “it’s not that big deal” I can relax and then creativity returns.
Absolutely Julia! I think sometimes putting less pressure on ourselves leads to greater creativity, because we aren’t stressing ourselves out so much.