You've probably heard the saying that ‘Creativity is a muscle.' Like your biceps or triceps, your creative mind needs regular exercise to stay in shape. What exercises will let you build your creative muscle? How do you turn these creativity exercises into a habit that is a routine part of your daily life?
For many of us, developing creativity habits can seem overwhelming.
Starting Small and Simple
Where do you even begin?
Research has shown that starting small is the key to creating sustainable habits. Renowned psychologist B.J. Fogg, for example, emphasizes the concept of “Tiny Habits,” suggesting that an individual should start with behavior that's easy to do and can be accomplished in less than 30 seconds. This could be as simple as sketching a single line on paper or writing one sentence in a journal.
James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits,” recommends an approach of 1% improvement each day. Clear suggests that success is the product of daily habits—not a once-in-a-lifetime transformation. So rather than trying to write a novel in a day, aim to write one paragraph. Over time, these small increments can add up to substantial progress.
Another best practice is to anchor your new creative habit to an existing routine—this is known as habit stacking. For example, if you already have a routine of having a cup of coffee every morning, add a few minutes of your chosen creative habit to this routine.
And finally, make sure to reward yourself. Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator in habit formation. So after each successful day of practicing your creative habit, allow yourself a small reward. Over time, this creates a positive association with your new habit, making you more likely to stick with it.
The goal isn't to do something creative once and forget about it. The goal is to incorporate creativity into your daily life naturally and sustainably. And with these research-backed strategies, that goal is well within reach.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are habits. It's not about making massive changes overnight but taking small steps consistently.
Habits to Cultivate Creativity
The following are a few habits that can fan the flames of your creativity and help you tap into your innate inventive spirit. This is not an exhaustive list but merely a starting point. As you embark on building creative habits, you may find others that work better for you. Don't feel confined by this list—feel free to add, modify, and explore other practices that spark your creative energies. The most effective habits are the ones that resonate with you and your unique creative process.
Here are some habits you might consider:
Daily Journaling:
Daily Journaling can genuinely be a transformative habit. It serves as a personal canvas where you can paint your thoughts, emotions, and ideas freely and without restraint. This practice declutters the mind and fuels creativity by helping you explore different trains of thought and identify patterns over time.
Moreover, daily journaling can be adapted according to your preferences. Some individuals prefer traditional narrative journaling, while others might opt for bullet journals, sketching, or digital journaling. The form it takes isn't as important as consistently putting your thoughts on paper.
Also, journaling can act as an incubator for your ideas. For instance, you might jot down a passing thought or a spark of an idea in your journal and then revisit it later to develop it further. This practice especially benefits creative people who need an outlet to capture their flowing ideas.
The key to journaling is not to censor yourself. This is your private space for exploration, reflection, and creativity. So let your mind wander, let your pen flow, and you might be surprised at the innovation and creativity that emerge from the pages of your journal.
Mindfulness Practices:
Mindfulness practices have gained prominence as powerful tools to nurture creativity. They involve focusing on the present moment, accepting it without judgment, and developing a deeper awareness of your surroundings and internal experiences. This increased sensitivity and openness to the present can spark new insights and ideas, enriching your creative output.
Meditation, one of the most common mindfulness practices, can be particularly beneficial. Regular meditation sessions can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and promote mental clarity—all of which create a conducive environment for creativity.
Consider starting with just a few minutes of meditation each day, gradually increasing the duration as you become more comfortable. Sit in a quiet, comfortable place, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. When your mind wanders—and it will—gently bring it back to your breath. This practice of returning to the moment can strengthen your ability to focus, a critical skill in creative endeavors.
Mindful walking is another mindfulness practice you might try. This involves focusing on the sensation of walking, the feeling of your feet touching the ground, and the rhythm of your footsteps. This practice can be an effective way to clear your head and foster a state of relaxed alertness that can lead to creative breakthroughs.
Just like any other habit, mindfulness requires consistency and practice. But with time, you can cultivate a more mindful approach to life that opens up new pathways for creative thinking.
Curiosity Feeding:
Curiosity feeding is about intentionally seeking out new knowledge and experiences. It's a habit that can nurture creativity by broadening your perspective and providing fresh inspiration. Each day, make a conscious effort to learn something new. This can be as simple as reading an interesting article, listening to a podcast, or diving into a new book. You might watch a documentary, learn a new word, or even converse with a stranger.
The key is to keep an open mind and embrace the unfamiliar. This can lead you to stumble upon unexpected ideas and connections, fueling your creativity. Engaging with a diverse range of topics also helps to build a rich reservoir of knowledge that can be drawn upon during the creative process.
Moreover, curiosity feeding encourages you to ask questions and challenge assumptions—an essential aspect of creative thinking. By nurturing your curiosity, you foster a mindset of continuous learning and exploration conducive to creativity.
The aim is not just to amass knowledge but to stimulate thought and inspire innovation. So be curious, be open, and immerse yourself in the joy of discovering something new every day.
Idea Generation:
Idea Generation, often known as brainstorming, is about unleashing your mind to explore different possibilities and avenues. It's about breaking free from the constraints of logical thinking and embracing wild and crazy ideas. This practice stimulates your creative muscles and opens up a treasure trove of potential innovations.
Here are a few strategies to make the most of your idea-generation sessions.
Firstly, create a conducive environment. Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you can think without distractions. Some people find that certain settings, like a park or a café, stimulate their creativity more than others. Experiment and find what works best for you.
Secondly, set a timer. Giving yourself a specific timeframe, like 15 minutes, can create a sense of urgency that pushes your brain to think more creatively.
Thirdly, remember that there are no bad ideas during brainstorming. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible, not to judge them. Write down everything that comes to your mind, no matter how absurd or impractical. This encourages free thinking and can often lead you down unexpected paths to brainstorm innovative ideas.
Lastly, do it often. The more frequently you brainstorm, the more readily your brain can generate new ideas.
The purpose of idea generation is not only to come up with solutions to specific problems but also to nurture a mindset of creativity and innovation.
Creative Exercises:
Creative exercises are vital activities that stimulate your brain, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and idea generation. They take various forms and can be tailored to individual preferences and interests.
One popular creative exercise is solving puzzles. Whether it's a jigsaw, crossword, or Rubik's cube, puzzles force you to think strategically and look for patterns. They challenge your brain to work in ways it normally wouldn't, fostering creativity.
Artistic endeavors such as painting, drawing, or sculpting are also great creative exercises. They allow you to express yourself freely and create something unique from your imagination. Even if you don't consider yourself an artist, creating art can stimulate creative thinking.
Cooking a new recipe is another form of creative exercise. It's about mixing ingredients in different ways to create unique flavors. Experimenting with cooking methods can also lead to discoveries in the kitchen, like how experimenting with ideas can lead to innovation.
Writing exercises, like poetry or storytelling, can also stimulate creativity. They encourage you to play with words, conjuring compelling narratives from your imagination.
The goal of these exercises isn't necessarily to create a masterpiece but to spark creativity and have fun in the process.
Next Steps To Creating Habits
The next step is commitment. Commit to doing one of these exercises every day for 30 days. Why 30 days? Because science tells us that's about how long repeated actions become a habit.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Set Clear Goals: Begin by setting a clear and achievable goal. It should be something that you can realistically accomplish within the 30-day time frame. For example, if you want to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine, your goal could be to meditate for 10 minutes each day.
- Start Small: It's crucial to start with small, manageable tasks. If your goal is to read a book a week, you might start by reading a few pages each day and gradually increase your reading time. Starting small makes the habit easier to adopt and less overwhelming.
- Consistency is Key: Consistency is the cornerstone of habit formation. Stick to your routine every day for 30 days. If you aim to engage in creative exercises daily, ensure you set aside time each day for this activity, whether in the morning, during lunch breaks, or in the evening.
- Be Patient and Persistent: It takes time to form a habit. You might encounter obstacles or have off days, but it's important not to get disheartened. Persistence is key, and consistently repeating the activity leads to habit formation. Remember, the goal isn't perfection. It's consistency. There will be days when it feels harder to engage your creativity. That's okay. What matters is showing up, day in and day out.
- Stay Positive: Finally, staying positive and maintaining a growth mindset is essential. Each day is an opportunity to learn and grow. Celebrate your successes, even the small ones, and be kind to yourself when you feel discouraged or frustrated.
- Tell Someone: Being held accountable by having someone checking in on you can be motivating. Find an accountability partner who will support and encourage your endeavors.
Creating a creative habit isn't easy, but it is achievable with these strategies. With consistency and dedication, it won't be long before you experience the reward of a more creative life.
Benefits of Cultivating a Creativity Habit
People who cultivate a creative habit experience numerous benefits. It opens up new possibilities and expands your horizons, and creativity can also improve physical and mental well-being. Here are some of the most prominent advantages associated with nurturing a creative mindset:
- Improved Problem Solving: Creativity can help you develop more efficient solutions to problems. This is because it encourages divergent thinking, which involves considering multiple perspectives and approaches to problem-solving.
- Heightened Focus and Concentration: Creative activities are often engaging and stimulating, positively affecting your focus and concentration levels. Working on creative problems or projects can help you stay focused for extended periods.
- Higher Levels of Self-Esteem & Confidence: Taking risks and engaging in creative activities can boost your self-esteem, giving you a sense of accomplishment and pride. This increased confidence can have far-reaching implications, improving personal and professional relationships.
- Increased Happiness & Satisfaction: Research has shown that engaging in creative activities can improve our happiness levels and overall life satisfaction. This is because creativity helps us to express ourselves and get more in touch with our inner selves.
Wrapping Up: The Power of Cultivating Creativity
We can all significantly enhance our creativity through dedication and commitment. We can awaken our inherent creative forces by making creativity exercises a part of our daily routine. It's not about creating masterpieces daily but about sparking creative energy within us. Whether it's solving puzzles, painting, or even experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, these activities stimulate our brains in unique ways, fostering creativity.
The journey of cultivating a creative habit doesn't have to be solitary. Sharing this journey with an accountability partner can provide mutual encouragement and motivation.
Regardless of the obstacles, be patient and persistent because every step in this journey brings us closer to reaping the numerous benefits of a creative mindset, from improved problem-solving skills and heightened focus to increased self-esteem and happiness.
The journey to enhanced creativity might seem long and challenging but worthwhile. So, dare to commit to this transformative journey, for the destination promises an enriched life overflowing with creativity.
It's time you unleashed your inner Da Vinci!
To learn about cultivating a creativity habit, listen to this week's show: How to Cultivate a Creativity Habit.
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