5 Ways to Get Creative

The creative process can be grueling, especially if you don't know how to get started. But there are a few tips to get the creative juices flowing. Here are five ways our team gets creative: 

1) Brainstorm

The best ideas come when we're doing something else—driving, showering, cooking dinner. Our brains are constantly making connections and looking for solutions to problems. Most flashes of inspiration or insight come when you least expect them. When those moments arrive, stop and write down your idea, before it escapes. My notes app on my phone is full of random thoughts. I've even woken from dreams to write down ideas (not worth much, though, haha). While 90% of the ideas will likely amount to nothing, the other 10% can evolve into something great. The creative process is a lot like fishing. It can take a long time to catch something desirable, but it's well worth the effort once you do.

2) Get Inspired by Others

Inspiration can come from anywhere, so spend some time looking for new ideas. If you're like me, your inspiration comes from all sorts of places. I find inspiration from books, designers, films, and music that I've come across. Keep an eye out for creatives you like as you browse social or sites like Pinterest, Behance, and RedBubble. 

3) Get Outside Perspective 

When you're working on something creative, it helps to get out of your head and get a second opinion. Bounce your ideas off of friends, colleagues, or in some cases, strangers. A new perspective from an outside party can put your creativity into overdrive. A fresh look at a problem that you've already considered from every angle has a way of opening up a world of new ideas. Just a word of caution here: It’s easy to fall into the trap of external affirmation so be sure to take the perspective as feedback, not direction. 

4) Look Within Yourself

If you're in a rut, it can be hard to see a clear path forward. It's important not to spend too much time in your head. I've found sitting and meditating on an idea can help me break through the barriers. This practice is one of the best ways to gain clarity and find that spark that makes you unique. It is possible to experience inspiration overload. The best thing to do in these moments is to rely on your creativity and imagination. Pick up a pen and start writing (or designing, sketching, etc.) 

5) Collaborate With Others 

Creating things can be a rewarding experience. Yet, it's easy to become so ingrained in our own process that we struggle to find new ways of working. While collaboration isn't for everyone, it can help get you out of creative ruts. When you work with others, you bring many perspectives to the table. This collaboration creates tension, and tension often leads to  great results. If you're used to working alone, try collaborating on a project. It may surprise you how much your creative output increases when you work with others.

Conclusion

The most important part of the creative process is just to do something. Get that idea out of your head onto paper. Bounce it off a few trusted friends or collaborators. The reality is that your first version of whatever you're making will probably not be good. But the gold is found in the editorial process. 

With each revision you make, you gain clarity on what your product actually is. This process can be painful. Because with every decision you make about your project, you're saying no to what it could be. This is why many ideas never become anything more than just a "good idea." To create something new, you must do what few can do. You must kill off all the ideas of what could be so you can start turning your idea into a reality.