In case you haven't noticed yet, I love to write. Having this blog gives me the opportunity and ability to express myself, hone my writing skills, and challenges me to be creative in both style and content. Additionally, potential employers often look for creativity as a quality in new hires. Why? People who are creative tend to be able to look at a situation and devise a solution that is "outside the box". Creativity lends itself to multiple platforms and is useful in just about any situation (If you're an accountant, don't read this post. You guys will go to jail for getting too creative.)
Unfortunately, there are many people who go through life thinking that the creative gene somehow missed them. They prefer rules, structure, and see creativity as something only for those artsy types. But I would contend that everyone needs to develop creativity because of how much it spills over into the rest of life. Writing is just one platform. Others could include playing a musical instrument, drawing, painting, planning, etc. Developing your creativity allows you to enjoy life apart from your day-to-day duties. Fostering your creative environment gives you a place to disconnect, unwind, and just to be yourself. Practicing creativity reduces stress while stretching and exercising your mind at the same time. That being said, there are a few things that I have found that provide me with optimum creativity-building time.
The first aspect of providing optimum creativity is to have an actual routine. Stereotypical "creative" type often have the reputation of not caring about order and structure. They go with the flow and tend to keep to themselves. Well, that's not how I want to be. The routine actually fosters my creativity because I have found the best time for me. Every other day, I wake up at 5:30. I read my Bible and then I write for 45 minutes to an hour before getting ready for work. This schedule lets me be productive during what I consider to be my best hours of the day. Of course, you will have to do some experimentation to figure out what time works for you. This actually leads into the second aspect of my creative environment: timing.
Let me be very blunt with you when I say I love my down-time. Finding ways to relax after a good, hard work day is one of my favorite things in the world. This could be anything to grabbing the guitar and playing/singing with my wife, taking a long walk, or exercise. The reason that I do the majority of my writing early in the morning is twofold. First, as I've already mentioned, my brain is usually at it's peak. Secondly, I am much less likely to skip writing for this blog if I do not have to give up any of my relaxation time to do so.
The final way that I have found to foster my creativity is to take action on whims. What do I mean by that? Your brain is a powerful tool. If you connect a thought to an action, your brain remembers it and performs unbelievably well as a result. The other side of that coin is this: If you have a thought or an idea and you do not connect it to an action, it takes about 10 seconds for your brain to decide that it isn't worth your time.
The action doesn't have to be big. It can be as simple as sending yourself a message or jotting down a quick note. My personal favorite is the Blogger app. If I have a thought for a post or an idea, I create a new post from my phone and type of my initial thoughts. I can always go back later and delete the ones that are just plain dumb. But that allows me to get up in the mornings with outlines already planned out. All I have to do is the writing part which I enjoy anyway.
Working on your creativity is not something that comes easily to most people. Let me assure you that it is well worth it in the end. Your boss, church, and family will thank you for being a more creative person. Earning that promotion because you came up with the solution outside the box, resolving conflict among a group of people that provides a fresh perspective, and coming up with activities that your family can do together are all ways that creativity manifests itself and enhances our lives. Still not convinced? That's fine. Just start a blog and let me know how long it takes to convince yourself that fostering creativity is well worth your time.
Stay classy,
Andrew
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