6 Cool Ways to Spark Your Creativity Right Now

Spark Your Creativity

Are you feeling stuck in a creative rut? Are you looking for ways to spark your creativity and get your creative juices flowing? If so, you are in luck! We will discuss the best ways to spark your creativity. We will explore how to find your creative flow, explore new ideas for inspiration, and unleash your mind to let creativity in. By the end of this post, you should have a better understanding of how to get your creative ideas flowing. So, let us get started!

 

Communications professionals are frequently tasked with developing and implementing innovative campaigns and plan to reach desired results. If you’ve ever judged PR award submissions, then you’ve probably noticed that “Creativity” is a factor in most evaluations.

Nevertheless, creativity is not a trait one can turn on and off like a faucet. Even the world’s most prolific artists and creative minds sometimes find themselves blocked or lacking the spark that inspires their creativity.

There are several ways to start creative thinking. Here are just some of the things you can do.

Spark Your Best Creativity

1. Take a walk outdoors.

Stanford University researchers found that walking can increase creative output by 60 percent – measured by having participants perform tasks that demonstrate “divergent thinking,” which involves solving problems or reaching conclusions in new methods or ways.

Patients with terminal illnesses were either restricted to indoor study conditions or were wheeled outside in wheelchairs. Outdoor walking resulted in the most novel thinking among the study conditions. Not only did the participants show a marked increase in creativity after walking, but they also showed improved ability to some extent.

Read also: The Biggest Marketing Tips For Your Business to Grow Fast.

2. Listen to upbeat music.

A study has shown that listening to music can improve cognition, memory, and learning, but does it also increase creativity? According to a study by Dr. Simone Ritter of Radboud University and the Netherlands’ Hogeschool Zuyd, listening to Mozart and other classical music did appear to have a beneficial impact on creativity and self-expression. Sam Ferguson at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, listening to music while working can improve divergent thinking.

They also suggested that the kind of music played is important. The study revealed that “happy music” stimulates divergent thinking, but exactly what it is can vary from person to person. Listen to music that makes you happy, whether by Beyonce or Beethoven.

3. Doodle.

Adults often abandon churning out doodles as they get older. Doodling can help remind us of the youthful creativity we may have lost as we grow older.

You don’t have to be an artist to draw. All you need is a pen and paper to start doodling anything that comes to mind, no matter the quality. To switch things up, doodle with your dominant hand and then switch to your non-dominant hand, engaging both sides of your brain.

4. Rewrite someone else’s work.

Choose a favorite literary passage or song and rewrite it in a current or different style. Consider the original word choices and whether they resonate with you.

This was an experiment I attempted once with a church youth group, and you won’t ever hear the Lord’s Prayer spoken as creatively until you hear it interpreted by high school students.

5. Play around with word association.

I’ve completed this exercise many times when trying to come up with a name for a project, slogan, campaign theme, or slogan. Begin with a sheet of paper and write out a word related to your project. Then just free-associate and write as many words as possible that come to mind when prompted by that core word.

Research suggests that writing by hand activates multiple areas of your brain in a way that typing does not. Typing this way is also slower and less rapid, increasing cognitive capacity to allow more thought processing.

6. Go on vacation.

Many have commented on the cliche of stating that Lin-Manuel Miranda created “Hamilton” while he was on vacation, but it has become almost cliche.

Another study from multiple authors published in Tourism Management found that recreational travel may boost creativity by relaxing users, boosting positive feelings, and diversifying experiences. The researchers found that vacations do not always result in greater creative insight, but they may facilitate it. They recommend further research, for which I would be happy to volunteer.

There’s no guarantee that these activities will boost your creativity, but I’ll leave you with this quote from Maya Angelou: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

These are some other nifty tricks to spark your creativity.

  • Unplug from your digital devices and take a break for an hour. Rather than feeding your mind with more information, allow it to relax, allowing creativity to flow naturally.
  • Drawing on nature for inspiration is easy, whether it’s the plant on your desk, a walk in your local park, or a closer look at the moss and ivy on brick walls during your daily commute. Nature is an excellent source of creative ideas.
  • Mixing up your daily routine is highly beneficial. Consider taking a different route to work, setting aside 30 more minutes in the morning for yourself, or starting a new hobby or class.
  • Ditch the bullet points and try Mind Mapping as an alternative. You could even invest in some colored pens or pencils for drawing them.
  • Writing in a journal can be an effective way to express your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Make time each day to unleash your creativity.
  • Take a shower – this is the perfect time to let your mind wander, and new ideas come in. Grab a waterproof pad and pen to jot down any brilliant thoughts before they escape your mind.
  • Going outside and being physically active in the fresh air can benefit your body and provide mental clarity.
  • If you’re stuck with a problem you can’t figure out by thinking consciously, try going to bed; your subconscious mind might just come up with the answer while you sleep! Be sure to have a pen and paper beside your bed in case of this fleeting eureka moment, so you don’t forget it.
  • The Artists Way Workbook is a must-have for anyone looking to break free from creative blocks, and it’s beloved by people worldwide for its ability to help unleash creativity. I love it!
  • Take some time to be playful and enjoy the day. Visit a park with your friends, ride the swings or slide for at least five minutes, head over to a skatepark, or go rollerblading. Have some fun!
  • Keep your workspace clean and clear of clutter to boost your creativity.
  • Why not try a 5-minute creative exercise such as drawing or doodling? This activity helps stimulate the right side of your brain and can help keep you focused and present.
  • Discover a Creative Niche. Are there certain spots that fixate your imagination? Art galleries are mine! Inhabit your area and notice how it encourages your thought processes.
  • Encouraging inquisitiveness is a great way to explore the world. Invite your child to challenge conventional wisdom and ponder why things are the way they are. See what new ideas and perspectives emerge when you take a “why” approach to looking at the world around you.
  • Check out TED talks about Creativity – they’ll motivate you.
  • Collaboratively brainstorm with your team; consider all ideas and refrain from judgment to stimulate creativity.
  • Let your anguish fuel your imagination. What challenges are you or someone close to you facing currently? How could you use your creativity to find a solution?
  • Examine the solutions that exist currently. It’s been theorized that no ideas are truly original, so you may be able to adjust an existing one to fit your needs.
  • Maintaining some toys on your desk can be helpful to help your creativity. Stress toys may be beneficial as they occupy your hands while allowing your mind to explore ideas freely.
  • Take time to daydream and be bored. You never know what unique ideas you might come up with!
  • Gain insight from children, as they offer an original point of view since their viewpoint has yet to be jaded.
  • Create more ideas than you require. If 10 is your goal, try for 20. The last idea may be the one that works best.
  • Tuning into upbeat tunes has boosted divergent thinking, a cornerstone of creativity.

Spark Your Best Creativity

What are you waiting for? Let’s try these hacks!

Read also: Music Marketing: 4 Examples of Music Marketing Strategy

In Short

Creativity is an essential part of life, and it can often be challenging to find ways to spark it. Following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can learn how to establish positive thinking habits, create a space conducive to creativity, explore new ideas and experiences for inspiration, and unleash your mind to let creativity in.

By taking small risks, experimenting with different creative exercises, taking regular breaks throughout the day, reflecting on your work regularly, and engaging with other creatives regularly, you can get your creative juices flowing! Take action today by trying out some of these tips – you’ll have found your creative flow before you know it!

I’m a digital marketing consultant passionate about helping small businesses grow and create brands. I’ve been in the marketing industry for over five years and specialize in growing brands through digital marketing.