How to be creative and innovative in 5 steps.

In my last blog I was a bit harsh on the music industry. I don’t think their problem is lack of creativity. I think it may well be that creativity is being hampered because it has to be profitable. New tunes have to have the right mood and package to appeal to the masses. It can’t be too retro or too ahead of its time because the aim is make millions. So what's on the charts is just the tip of the iceberg. Much innovation and creativity is taking place but it doesn't get to go mainstream.

But those of us who aren’t working in creative jobs could do with a little creativity. It would make our day jobs more fulfilling and in the long run more profitable….or in the worse case scenario at least more bearable!

However there’s a problem when you suddenly want to become more creative.
Have you ever gone back to the gym after say, a 3 month break? Remember how you ached afterwards? It was as if you had never been to the gym before, right?
Creativity is like a muscle. If you don’t use it for a prolonged amount of time, it becomes weak and painful to exercise.
Do you remember what it was like when you were a child? You saw things adults couldn’t see, conjured up intricate worlds with your imagination. Children are naturally creative. Then what happens? We grow up. We become rational, practical.... limited by preconceived or inherited ideas, stuffy, boring…

Here are 5 steps I’ve made up in order to kick start your creativity:

1. Break out from your auto-pilot mode. Watch your environment, listen to people, notice noises, colours, textures around you, anything. Witness yourself going to work, perform the tasks you do, the things you say.

2. Broaden your interests. Do something new, perhaps try learning a new language, learn a new instrument, take a new hobby. This will help your brain to stay fresh and flexible.

3. Use your imagination to make wacky connections. Think of people that annoy you as instruments for example…One person would be a counter bass and could use his strings to fire arrows at you. But he can only fire once so you’re off the hook as he can’t aim. Or perhaps this other person is a trumpet always starting great tunes in an orchestra and finishing them all terribly off-key…These are just ideas to get you started but you catch my drift


4. List the things you would like to improve on or change in your personal or working life. Pick one each week. Then with a glass of wine or tea and biscuits (or whatever you fancy). Write your ideas about it for at least 30 minutes non-stop. Anything that comes to mind. Don’t censor yourself, you’re just brainstorming ideas. Then during the week or month, implement the feasible ideas if you feel like it.


5. Rest well. A good night sleep is good for your brain. Not enough sleep (or too much sleep) will hinder your imagination and creativity. Fact. Your brain is a wonderful machine. It needs TLC in order to give its best.

Sounds fair?

Try'em and lemme know, pretty please!

;P

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