How can I be more creative?

Creativity.

There are two kinds of creativity.

There is the creativity that you need to fill your bucket, the one that is what you use to get work done. This is the kind I talked about a few weeks ago. That kind can run out for anyone, even the most creative can reach that breaking point. This is the creativity it takes to do good work, and to create something successful. This is the stuff that can be replenished by a good night sleep, a strong cup of coffee and some revitalizing.

Then there is the innate creativity. This is the creativity to entertain at a party, to tell a joke, or to decorate a house. This is the creativity that is exhibited when someone is least expecting it, it is what happens when they do normal activities. This is the kind of creativity that most of us think of when we think someone is “creative”. And this creativity can’t be replenished, because it can’t go away. It is always there, sitting and waiting to be used. It is just part of a person. And this is what I want to talk about today.

Some people just have innate creativity naturally. But some of us don’t. Most of us don’t. Most of us get frustrated daily with the lack of innate creativity.

For those of you who are always creative (you know who you are), stop reading. Go be perfect somewhere else.

This post is for the rest of us…the ones that don’t have it naturally and need some help. The good news? Innate creativity, despite the technical definition that innate things can’t be learned, can be learned over time.

How do I know? Because I didn’t have it naturally. (trust me, I really didn’t) I had to work unbelievably hard at being creative every day.  But over time, over a lot of effort, I have been able to increase my innate creativity. And since I knew it would come in handy, I started a list of what works. So here it is…the list of many of the things I have done that have helped me to increase my innate creativity. Remember, these are things that increase innate creativity not what will replenish your creativity when it is gone.

• Create a space that stimulates you with the colors you find to be creative (I love pink, black and white in my creative space).
• Read something completely fun before bed every night (I prefer romance novels, trashy chick lit and historical fiction).
• Learn to focus on one task at a time (splitting your mind between many tasks ruins your ability to build creativity. I close all other programs).
• Take classes in different areas (trying something new will increase the space you have for creativity. I took a wine class).
• Spend time doing something different (Adding a hobby increases your capacity to think outside the box. I am working on a romance novel).
• Listen to an argument (Hearing other people discuss things can open your mind to how you can discuss things).
• Watch mindless TV (mindless TV isn’t mindless if you let the creativity in. I love Disney channel still).
• Have friends who are more creative than you (osmosis does work with creativity. I swear!).
• Go to the movies. (Movies are a wonderful form of creativity and open your mind to what’s possible. I love action and comedy movies).
• Ask a lot of questions. (The more you know about things, the more creative your mind is).

What have you done to increase your innate creativity. Or do you disagree with the thought that it can be increased?

Related posts:

1. Get creative with your questions.
2. 10 bold moves for a more creative you – Day #8
3. 10 bold moves for a more creative you – Day #5