Do you ever hear yourself say “I don’t have a single creative bone in my body”? I hear it from others all time and it makes me giggle. Of course you are creative, you just might not recognize it yet! For a lot of people there seems to be a need to be able to label themselves creative before they really feel creative. That’s a bit backwards, but hey, that’s creative too!
So before I share my ideas with you, I need you to label yourself creative. Just pretend. Go put on your favorite shirt, inside out, then if anyone asks, call it your stain prevention plan. Now you’re creative and we can move past the arguing and convincing stage and jump right into the actual being stage.
First and foremost, there’s really not a “how to be creative” checklist. However, I’m going to invent a checklist for you, just incase you are a list needer. I just thought the title might get you to stop and look long enough to knock some sense into your fighting creativity mind. You are already creative – I truly believe you have been since the day you were born. You might not know how to use that brilliant thought process, or you might have really poor hand eye coordination, but that creative gene is in there, I promise.
To get you on the right track, you need to first stop a few bad habits. Get all that negative juju out of your head so the creativity has more room to move. Once you have a nice clear mind, prepped for ideas to flow, you might be amazed at how brilliant you already are.
Let’s get going, 6 steps to set you on the path to being creative every day
Stop comparing
Creativity is a unique experience for everyone. Comparing your talents and skills and abilities with others is just setting yourself up for failure. No one looks at the world in the exact same way, so why should the way you show off what you see be the same? Let other’s inspire you, not make you feel incapable.
Don’t criticize
When you take the time to come up with an idea or make something with your own brainpower and two hands, be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Don’t step back and find all the faults in what you’ve done. If your friend did that, would you really want to be friends anymore?
Don’t doubt
Doubting just builds a wall with a giant KEEP OUT sign hanging on it. The least you can do is add pretty little painted flowers to the sign, maybe even a big SWAK smooch on it. Stop getting in your own way, that’s not your job as your biggest fan. You can do it, you just need to bother to try.
Stop being so literal
If you want to be able to come up with new ideas, you have to stop looking at everything with an absolute literal view, literally. “Yes dear, I know that’s a wooden spoon, the package even says it’s a wood spoon.” It’s not what you call something or what other’s have label it, it’s how YOU see it that makes it creative.
Know what creativity is
Creativity is not just crafty DIY projects. I say this all the time, creativity is in everything we do. How we dress, fix our hair, write our name or view those fuzzy bunnies in the clouds. Problem solving is an aspect of creativity. McGuiver, remember him? Creative genius (yes, creative crush right there)! And I’m pretty sure he never made a pretty wreath for his front door using recycled materials and duct tape.
Do it!
Now that you’re finished comparing and criticizing and doubting, what’s left? Yep, get of your duff and just do it… just hop on to that wagon and let the band play – get going and do something today. OH that almost rhymed, completely unintentional, we call that Serendipity.. there’s you’re creative vocab word for the day.
Really the goal here is to allow yourself to be creative
We’ll talk next time about the positives about being creative. You don’t really need to learn how to be creative as much as you need to learn to stop being your own road block and just let yourself try it. Whatever “it” is, is up to you. Maybe start small, go ahead and wear dots and stripes together. Wear it with confidence because you did put it on all by yourself. Next time, try adding some cinnamon to your fruit salad and see how that spices things up a bit. Start small and within your comfort level. Allow yourself to succeed and give yourself props for being the fabulous creative brain that you are!
this was soo nice to read thank you so much….glad to know that when i think i am being creative i am really being it…..hhahaha….thank you
Thanks everyone! I could use the reminder regularly too… I think we all do best when we bounce ideas off one another, share some inspiration and then we all come out a bit better than when we started.
Helpful hints and tips! I could always use help being creative, I feel like if I am copying other people’s creativity I do better!
Great tips, Jen, not just for those who think that they’re not creative- I think even us “creatives” need to remind ourselves of these things from time to time!
Hi Jen! I found your post link via Theresa Cifali’s Socially Sensible Blog Lovin’ Thursday. This is excellent advice. I also feel it would be helpful for me to review these “steps” on those days when I have blogger’s block. I’ll definitely be back. Thanks for sharing!
I agree that everyone is creative Jen! It’s getting it to come out that is the scariest part. Thanks for the kick in the butt- I need to do a blog post today- wasn’t feeling it but just need to go do it! See you soon!
So true! I am always telling people they are creative. Even my scientist husband. I mean it takes serious creativity to come with a thesis and then run an experiment. I believe if you are human=you are creative.
Hi Jen. This is a fantastic article. I love all of your tips. Getting in my own way is sometimes a huge issue….I’m going to add this to my vision wall to remind me the next time I get stuck!
Thank you! Now I have to thank you for the reminder… I still need to make a vision wall, what a great idea! First I need to find some space to make it. Would love to hear what works for you.