4 Ways to Spark Creativity

“Jackie, I need help being more creative.” This was what one client said to me when we started to work together. She felt as if she were too boxed into her thinking and needed to tap into more creativity to keep up with her boss who valued ideas over action. 

Creativity isn’t just about coming up with the big idea, the new idea, a concept imagined. When we think of creativity with this border around it, it stops us from really harnessing what creativity really is. For some of us, the above is definition is their version of creativity.  While for others, creativity is the way we see the world, a little differently, just slightly off-kilter. How do I define creativity? It’s about letting go.

In our own business, Mimi defines me as the creative one. The one who comes up with the big ideas, the frameworks, the concepts. And yes, I do take the lead on a lot of these things. However, Mimi’s creativity shows up differently, in designing, in words, in problem-solving. There are different wayt for creativity to show up and ways to enhance it.

Here are 4 Ways to Spark Your Creativity:

1. Go Outside of Your Interests and Industry:

   Think about it this way, Coke will never revolutionize the beverage industry if it only looks at what Pepsi is doing and only listens to what other beverage industry leaders are doing. We have incredible access to content. Use this access to listen to podcasts outside of just your industry. Try a random Ted Talk about something you’ve never even heard of before. How about reading 99u from Adobe once a week to enhance your thinking. The best ideas come from applying something you heard to something brand new.

2. Be a Toddler Again:

   Often referred to as a beginner’s mindset. Explore everything with a heightened observation. When I think about this concept, I think about my 13-year-old daughter with ADHD. She is hyper-observant and identifies things I never even noticed. Approaching with curiosity and questioning allows you to see what’s really there instead of seeing something through your lens of experiences. As you do this, also tap into all of your senses and ways to observe. Most of the time we use only 1-2 senses. Instead, consider what your heart is saying, how your gut is feeling, what would it sound like? Using more data points will ignite a different way to register information. 

3. Consider the Possibilities:

   Once you’ve investigated and explored like a toddler, now consider what are the possibilities. What are the variable outcomes if you didn’t have any obstacles? What could be if things were different? How amazing could the results be if… Use these types of deep and open questioning to allow possibilities to unfold.

4. Let it Sit:

   You can’t force things to come to you. In fact, the more you try to force it the quicker they escape. There is a magical thing happening which many of us are unaware of in our lives. When we consider something consciously, our subconscious mind continues to process it in the background without us even knowing, while we are doing other tasks and projects. We are in an instant gratification world but remember you can’t rush innovation. Plant the seed and watch it bloom.

How do you spark your creativity? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Email us at jackie@moderngenxwoman.com