“Creativity is a skill – it can be learned, practiced and improved.” Professor Darren Dahl
Did you know that creativity is your calling? Since we are all created ‘Imago Dei’ (in the image of God) by the Creator himself, we are imbued with creativity for His purposes.
However, like everyone else, you probably struggle with creative blocks all the time. There are occasions when you agonize for hours on a single sentence when writing your magnum opus; find it hard to come up with the lyrics to your new song; or have no clue as to what to say in your speech tomorrow.
Well, this happens to the best of us. If only we had the magical key to enhancing creativity. Guess what? There is no “magic” to creativity – it is a skill that you are born with, but which is useless to you unless you work on it constantly, practicing and improvising.
There is one thing that hurts the creative mind more than most – conformity. You can call conformity the enemy of creativity. Creative people who are forced to conform to the expectations of other people or to society’s pressure tend to become less curious about the world around them. Consequently, they become less creative over time.
With all of this in mind, here are the 5 “magical keys” to enhancing your creativity…
#1: Just get started! Somewhere, anywhere…
Former Apple evangelist and venture capitalist Guy Kawasaki explains in his book, The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything, you may have the most creative idea in your mind, but if you don’t do something about it and actually start something, it’s just a waste of your time.
The secret to unlocking your creativity is not to think too much about it; take action, do something, anything, start something! You will achieve so much more if you just get started instead of agonizing endlessly about an idea in your mind.
#2: Creativity = Curiosity
Curiosity is the key to creativity. If you’re not curious about the world, if you are afraid to ask questions, if you are scared of criticism, you will never be creative.
It seems like society looks down upon curious people, and we are often reminded about how curiosity killed the cat.
Maybe it’s okay if you’re different. It’s okay if people think that some of the questions you ask at school or work are weird; don’t let that stop you from being curious.
Because, if there is no curiosity, there is no creativity. No creativity means no innovation. And, without innovation, none of the things we take for granted in our world would have ever happened – we would still be stuck in the Stone Age.
#3: Stop over thinking, over analyzing; just go with the flow.
Do you have this habit of over thinking or over analyzing something? Stop overcomplicating stuff for yourself. Just go with the flow.
Don’t worry about whether an idea will bring you success or ridicule, whatever it is, just go with the flow. You need to trust your instinct, do what you feel to be right. Trust your gut, and keep things simple.
#4: Be real! Do your research.
First of all, there is a difference between being creative and being deluded. You may have a creative idea in your mind, but that has to be founded on reality. Every creative person has to do their research before going ahead with an idea.
Maybe you have this amazing new idea for a book in your mind. Talk to someone about it, such as an experienced author or interview a cross section of people that fall into your target demographic. Finally, find out what they want, what their dreams/goals/motivations are and what they are looking for.
#5: Be kind to yourself.
As the famous clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson says in this book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, if you want to be happy and creative in your life, if you want to do something of significance, be kind to yourself first.
Therefore, don’t allow your inner critic to take control of your mind, treat yourself with generosity and compassion. In conclusion, remember, you’re human and like all humans, you’re fallible and will stumble. There’s nothing wrong with that; just shake it off, pick yourself off the floor, and move on.
These are the 5 magical keys to unlocking your creativity. We hope you enjoyed reading this and look forward to your comments. What methods do YOU use for engaging your creativity?