Maybe you have said it too. “I am just not a naturally creative person!” I can’t draw or paint—as if that is the only outlet for creative thinking. There are a lot of ways to be creative. But I found myself saying I wasn’t creative all too often. Mostly when I was procrastinating important and creative type tasks. (Like writing a blog.) I would what until inspiration struck, usually in the middle of the night! I felt like I was doing everything in deadline driven, crisis mode. And that eventually catches up with you. I promise.
Four things to consider. First, everyone is creative. Think about it, aren’t kids amazingly creative? I love watching kids at the airport. I mean, you can’t stare at them—that really creeps the parents out, look away every now and again. But kids are so creative! They will entertain themselves for hours with a straw and an eraser. When did we, as adults, lose that creativity? I would argue when we started school. Then we were taught to color inside the lines, follow the rules, don’t stand out or be weird. When we muzzle our creativity long enough, we forget it’s there. You have to let that creative flag fly! Stop worrying so much about what other people think and do your own thing. The more you tell yourself you can’t be creative the more you will believe it. It will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, remind yourself you have been creative since you were a child and you just have to practice. You CAN do it!
Second, it is hard to be creative on demand. So, learn to be creative on a regular basis. When we wait until we MUST be creative, then we freeze under pressure. Instead look for ways to be creative every day. Change it up, try new things, challenge yourself to do something new weekly. Even something small. Try a new recipe or restaurant, take a class, go to a movie you wouldn’t normally pick, get yourself comfortable doing the uncomfortable.
Third, when a creative project presents itself start with a simple brainstorming session. Invest 10 minutes just brain dumping absolutely everything you can think of related to the project. And remember, brainstorming is about quantity not quality, so write down everything. Don’t analyze it, correct it, or say it won’t work just write it down. I’ll bet you will surprise yourself with how much you can think of. Maybe you want to figure out how to make your office more “green.” You may come up with something as simple as put out a recycle bin or change all the light bulbs or something completely unrealistic like rebuilding the building! Once you have come up with all kinds of ideas, narrow your focus. Define what is doable and what it would take to make it happen. Then create a plan of action.
Fourth, start from scratch. I always say blow it up! What would you do if there were no rules? If you need to modify a rule in your employee handbook—instead of modifying—start from scratch. How would you write the rule if there was no rule? If you want your meetings to be more effective, instead of looking at what you can add to the agenda or you should eliminate—create a meeting from scratch. If you had never had that meeting before, what would you want it to look like?
Remember, creativity is like a muscle, you learn to exercise it and you can use it whenever you need it.
And when all else fails google it. It is amazing what kind of inspiration can come from the Google. Just don’t forget what you were actually looking for—you may end up 45 minutes later with tickets to another Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. Or that may just be me.
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