Proven methods to becoming more creative

By Brian Maynor

 

As a member of the creative profession, let me set the record straight.  Creativity is a skill, not a gift that you are either born with or not.

While it’s true, some people are more naturally inclined to be creative, or have found the best way to express their creativity, but we are all creative in our own right.  It’s just the more you work on it, the better you become at it.

Before we can jump into ways to hone our creativity, it’s important to understand exactly what it is.  Creativity is basically the ability to see things from a different perspective.  Hence why we are all creative; no two people see the same thing in exactly the same way. To look at something from a new place means we have to understand, challenge and eventually break free from the constraints we impose on ourselves and our way of thinking.

So when you’re ready to flex your creative muscles or just starting to develop them, here are some proven methods to help you out:

1.   Walk around outside. It’s as simple as it sounds.  Walking around outside and breathing in fresh air is a miracle worker when it comes to igniting our creativity.  The reason that it works is because when we see unfamiliar sights we can shake-off routine trains of thought and opinions and begin to wander and daydream.  Now this is only going to work if we leave our phones behind or switch them to silent or vibrate.  Our minds can’t relax if we simply trade one screen for another no matter how much fresh air we are breathing.

2.    Stop rushing to fill empty time with mindless activities like games or social media. This is a habit most of us may not even realize we have, but it’s pervasive.  Since we are constantly connected we feel the pressure to be on our phones every second we have free, but that’s killing our creativity.  The next time there is time to kill, say waiting in line, or riding in a car instead of turning to the phone for mindless entertainment, let our minds wander.  It’s much needed time for our brains to take a break and process the information already contained in it and rearranging it to come up with new ideas.  Constantly taking in more information short-circuits this process.

3.    Shake up the morning routine. Since most of us now use our phones as our alarm clocks, it’s easy to get sucked into the virtual vortex from the moment we open our eyes.  Again, it’s just a habit and routine we’ve created for ourselves.  Instead of checking messages, notifications, social media or even the news after we turn off the alarm put the phone back down.  The act of going out our morning routine without being distracted can be all it takes to kick off the day with more creativity.

4.    Schedule creative time. If it’s hard to find time to go to the bathroom during the day, then it’s probably impossible to find a quiet moment to be creative.  Since we live our lives by schedules and routines, try scheduling some time each week just for that, being creative.  The goal is to find a place, that changes regularly, where we can be alone with our thoughts.  The trick to scheduling creative time is to not turn it into a new routine, or its power will be lost.

5.    Find a creativity buddy. Just like exercise, creativity tends to flow better when we have someone else to bounce ideas off of.  Whether it’s one person or a group of people, a lot can be said about the value of brainstorming sessions.  While you might not take anything away from the meeting, at least our brains will be thinking differently and new ideas are more likely to bubble up.

The bottom line is to stop believing you are either creative or you’re not, because it’s a lie.  We are all creative.  Some of us just have to work a little harder at it than others, but we all have to work on it.

 

 

I’m always excited to hear from you, so please email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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