Key Steps to Unleash Your Creativity

Sharon Moore March 21, 2014

A large body of research suggests that creativity is far more complex than we think. Brain scan studies show that it involves a number of cognitive processes, neural pathways and emotions, as opposed to what scientists believed years ago that it only involved the right brain – the part which also makes us passionate, sensual, tasteful, vivid, and poetic.

Perhaps, this complexity is the reason why there’s no single approach to becoming creative. Fortunately, studies on highly creative people point out common practises that we can incorporate in our life to get our creative juices flowing.

They include the following:

Daydream.

Many people think that daydreaming is just a waste of time. But for scientists, it is not. In fact, it can spur our creativity. According to a 2012 study, although daydreaming might seem a mindless activity, it involves a highly engaged brain state, and therefore could lead to sudden connections and insights. Furthermore, research has shown that daydreaming involves same brain areas involved in imagination and creativity. Another benefit of daydreaming is that it takes us out from our own limited perspective and allows us to explore other ways of thinking, which can greatly boost our creativity.

Observe, observe and observe.

Creativity also requires paying attention. By observing everything around you (even those you think are insignificant), you can explore possibilities that many people don’t normally recognise. You can identify problems easily and stumble on better solutions. Often, the “aha” moments are attached to things that have always been there around us but we never paid attention to – like the trees in the roadside, the buses that come and go, children’s faces, etc.

Seek out new experiences.

Writer’s block? A change in environment might just be the key. Try to work somewhere else, maybe at a coffee shop or in the park – and those words might just flow tremendously. There are more to learn if you will go out there and explore the world. By allowing yourself to embrace new scenarios, experiences and sensations, you are opening your mind to tons of new insights and fresh ideas.

Don’t be afraid to fail.

Doing creative work is often described as failing repeatedly until you find something that sticks. Failures are not only failures. Painful as they may seem, failures give us opportunities to succeed. We will never know that there is a much better solution to a problem until we fail or make a mistake.

Ask.

Curiosity might kill a cat, but not humans. You can get your creative juice flowing by interacting with different people, even to those who are younger than you. Find time for meaningful conversations. Talk with the experts. Attend workshops and seminars. The more you ask, the more you’ll know.

Follow your true passion.

There’s really a big difference when you are motivated by some form of internal desire than an external desire (like the need for recognition or compensation). When you love what you do, you remain inspired and motivated no matter how difficult it is. You go deeper, even if that would take time and lots of effort. No matter how challenging your craft is, you just keep going because it’s what you truly want.

Connect the dots.

Highly creative people can be easily distinguished by their sense of vision. That is, they are able to see possibilities where others don’t. For Steve Jobs, “creativity is just connecting things”. He once said “When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.”

Be mindful.

To come up with creative ideas, we need a focused and clear mind. And what could be a better way to achieve this than to practise mindfulness regularly? Many artists, writers, and other creative workers have turned to meditation as an important strategy to enhance their creativity. Scientists back this claim. In a 2012 study by Dutch researchers, it was found that certain meditation techniques can promote creative thinking. Regular mindfulness practise has also been linked to improved memory and focus, better emotional well-being, reduced stress and anxiety, and improved mental clarity, all of which contribute to a creative mind.

Can you suggest other ways to boost creativity? Feel free to post your comment below.