5 Key Tips to Developing Your Creativity
Creativity is often easier to talk about than to put into action and many of us struggle to find the time, despite it being incredibly gratifying to do so. As finding the key to unlocking our creativity can be a struggle for so many of us, here are five key tips to kickstart you into flexing those creative muscles.
Don’t run away from what influences you, embrace it!
‘The only art I ever study is stuff that I can steal from’ David Bowie.
New York times best seller Austin Kleon reminds us in his book ‘Steal Like an Artist’ that nothing is original. A good ‘artist’ understands that nothing comes from nowhere. All creative work builds on what came before. Free yourself from the burden of trying to be completely original. Embrace what influences you instead of running away from it.
Do What You Love
In the beginning we learn by pretending to be our heroes, however our tastes and desires change over time. Don’t pigeon hole yourself early on by continuing down a road that no longer satisfies you. Improvise. Create content that’s close to your heart right now. Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, form the charity you think the world needs, play the music you want to listen to, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use. When we’re young, we’re full of passion – learn to be playful with your ideas. Give yourself the space and ability to try new things, experiment and remember, it’s ok if it doesn’t work out exactly as you wanted it to the first time. As long as you’re walking forwards, you’re headed in the right direction.
Keep Good Company
Whether we like it or not, we are the sum of our environment and influences, so surround yourself with people and ideas that inspire you. Look to find something stimulating everyday to develop your creative outputs – study, learn and grow – actively engineer your creative and intellectual stimulation.
Make the Time
Life is busy…that’s a fact, and there are only 24 hours in a day. No doubt there are factors like your job, your friends, family and children that take up a lot of your time. However, you need to be honest and ruthless about what you really want to do. There are many moments in the day when we do have a choice. So next time you’re about to sit down to binge watch Netflix, ask yourself if that’s really the best use of your time. Choose what you’re going to prioritise. The key is to look for moments of time in your day that you can dedicate to being creative. If you find a little bit of time, everyday – you’ll form a habit and soon it won’t be such a struggle.
Share Something Small Every Day
Establish a daily practice that you can implement no matter what you ‘re working on, no matter how far it is along. This is all about sustaining the creative motion. Inertia is the enemy of creativity. Try to find one small part of your work process that you can share each day – talk to a friend, share on sound cloud, update your Instagram..there are many ways to connect with your network. If you’re in the very early or planning stages, share your influences and what’s inspiring you. If you’re currently executing a project, write about how you’re doing it or share your work as it evolves. If you’ve just completed a project, show the finished results and share some of your key learnings to keep yourself in motion. If you create a mindset that everything you do, helps you to improve, then you will to learn, grow and perfect whatever it is that lights your fire.