It is not easy being creative all of the time, however, we work in an industry where we can’t afford not to be creative. Even if you are not in the design or marketing industry, problem solving is required for survival, and sometimes you need to be creative to get by. Here are a few helpful tips that we find keep our minds fresh and problem solving skills sharp.
Don’t know where to start? Check out some best practices.
Start by researching what others are doing successfully and try to translate their application to your project. No, do not copy. Reinvent. It is quite helpful to see what others are doing to spark ideas, see what has not been done yet and determine what works and what doesn’t.
Get out of your typical surroundings.
Routine is great, especially for creatives that need discipline and structure. However, if you are stuck in a rut, looking at the same thing in the same surroundings will likely not yield successful results. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. We know you are not insane, so get out a bit. You do not have to go far. Maybe move your computer by the window, or go work for a few hours at the local coffee shop, or even take a pad and pen to the park. Move around a bit, and see what shakes out.
Take a break.
A watched pot will not boil. The same expression applies here. If you continue to mull over something, and the solution still is not coming to you, stop. Go do something else. Take in some fresh air, go for a walk, or visit with a friend. When you relax your mind, you will be more inclined to think logically and develop creative solution.
Ask for another set of eyes.
You have heard it before, and I will say it again—two minds are better than one. Get in touch with someone you trust that will understand what you are trying to achieve and ask if they would not mind offering you some direction. Recommendations and feedback from an objective source helps put the situation into perspective and moves you farther along in the creative process.
These approaches to creativity are not magic bullets and will not guarantee award-winning results, but we find that they work nicely for us. What works for you?
