Thursday, March 13, 2014

Unleashing Creativity

By definition, creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination. Traditionally, it is said to be a "right-brain" function, however, we are all born instilled with creativity. It's just a matter of "tapping into" it to release its gifts.

Creativity may be boundless and unpredictable. However, from time to time, one may fall into a "creative block" where you may feel devoid of all inspiration or stimulus. No matter what, you just can't seem to get motivated. We've all been there, no matter what profession you are in. 

So how do you get out of "the funk"? What motivates and inspires you? Here are a few tips that may help those creative juices to get flowing again.

1. Let yourself have fun. 
The best creative breakthroughs result when you are uninhibited. Be a little impulsive! Stop over-thinking and let yourself go a bit to see what happens.

2. Allow yourself to make mistakes. 
Mistakes lead to achievements. Take the risk and learn from your mistakes. Success will surely follow.

3. Find your muse.
What sparks you? It could be going to the gym to get your blood pumping, taking a walk on the beach, a certain song (there is a band called "Muse" after all!), a favorite quote that you resonate with. Take some "me" time to reset and see what inspires you.

4. Change perspective.
Sometimes when you look at a problem from a different angle, you find the answer to that problem. Solicit input from others... it's all about perspective!

5. Trust your instincts.
Leave the perfectionism behind – trust your instincts and connect on a deeper, natural level and the creativity will flow.
Creativity is just connecting things. 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. Steve Jobs