In a world where many of our tasks are mindless, and most involve little ingenuity, it can be surprisingly difficult to come up with fresh, innovative ideas when your brain is out of practice. Creativity can transform your life in many ways- from bringing beauty into your life, to giving you activities to feel excited about, to discovering shortcuts that make your life easier, and so much more. If you’re feeling a little uninspired, or just want to help your creativity gears turn a little more easily, this article is here with seven tips to help you unlock your creative potential!
1. Have a vibrant social life!
Social connectedness helps us to feel cared for, significant, and stimulated. Connectedness is extremely important for our health, and many studies have shown that strong relationships help you to live longer. Furthermore, social interaction is a critical component of happiness, and it puts our brains in a state where creativity naturally flows. It also helps you to share and learn new ideas. If you feel bored or dull, chances are, you may just need more time with friends and loved ones.
2. Feed your senses: expose yourself to arts on a daily basis.
Whether you listen to new music every day, find inspiring videos or articles on social media of people making amazing visual art, installations, or DIY projects, trying creative new foods, or reading novels, exposing yourself to art and other people’s creations is essential for getting your own creative juices flowing. You will be astonished at how motivating this habit can be, and it can turn an otherwise mundane day into one that is fun and inspiring.
3. Try new skills as often as you can.
Did you know that when you practice something enough (like driving), the habit becomes coded into the part of the brain that governs automatic behavior, so that you no longer have to pay attention as you do that task? This is necessary- because otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to do simple things like tying your shoelaces or brushing your teeth. But on the other hand, when things become too automatic, your conscious brain does not get stimulated. To keep yourself creative and able to learn quickly, try new things as often as you can. Take a new class, like pottery or trapeze, and engage all aspects of yourself- physical, mental, creative, and emotional.
4. Do regular tasks in an unconventional way.
Science has shown that even brushing your teeth with the opposite hand has positive effects on learning and creativity. Try making the automatic conscious by switching up routine tasks, so that you are forced to pay attention.
Related: How Exercise Makes You Smarter
5. Turn your problems into opportunities.
If a problem has persisted in your life or is upsetting to you, ask yourself how you can turn it into an opportunity. How can you solve the problem in a way that your life is better off for having had the problem? Most businesses are born from the desire to solve a burning problem- and Loose Leaf Tea Market is no exception (our founder, Kita, experienced the healing power of plants firsthand, and wanted to give people access to nature’s incredible tools)! Turning problems into opportunities has the added benefit of shifting you out of a state of dejection and moving you into inspiration, fun, and flow.
6. Come up with ten new ideas every day.
Best-selling author and blogger, James Altucher, often gives this advice to help his readers to upgrade their lives and opportunities. Like anything else, good ideas and creativity improves with practice! Even if you come up with some bad ideas, you’ll likely also arrive at some gems- so don’t give up! This practice will improve your life by leaps and bounds.
7. Get in a positive state of mind.
Have you ever tried to write a paper or do a job that you just don’t want to do, and can’t seem to make any progress on it? We’ve all been there. Feeling stuck often has to do, in part, with boredom. If you have a task on which you’re not making any progress, put it away (even for a short while) and do something fun. When you’re happy, ideas will flow faster, and you will finish your to-do list in record time.
And here’s a bonus- herbs like Gingko and Gotu Kola boost brain function, which can help when you’re trying to generate new ideas. These herbs are also a part of An Elephant Never Forgets.
Comment below to share new ideas you have had, or let us know what’s worked for you. We love hearing from you!