As a marketing consultant it is my job to be creative. So naturally I have to create the right environment that allows my mind to get into the creative mode. Here are eight tips that work for me.
- Get away from your desk (and your iPad and your cell phone). Go for a coffee, go for a walk -- just shake up your regular working routine to help clear your mind.
- Make a list. Find a quiet spot and make a list of all the nagging things on your mind. All the appointments, meetings, deadlines, write them all down. I always include personal stuff too. This will get your to-do list out of your head so your mind isn't preoccupied with forgetting something.
- Look at your list and prioritize each thing. Put a date next to each item to help you spread the work out and make the list seem more manageable. This allows your brain to feel organized and in control.
- Now your brain is ready to be creative. At this point I usually head home (or back to the office) and sit in a chair away from my desk. On a blank piece of paper I write down what problem I'm trying to solve creatively.
- Talk out loud. Now this might be difficult for people in an office setting! Often I would book a boardroom and pretend I was on a conference call. Talking out loud really helps the flow of thought.
- Write down the ideas that seem to stick with you. Include phrases and other questions that pop up. These can be written all over the page you started with. Drawing pictures of your thoughts is a wonderful way to capture your thinking.
- Ask yourself, "What does this idea remind me of?" This is were I start to think about metaphors that help explain my thoughts. If you have to present these ideas to others, a metaphor is an excellent way of bringing people into alignment with your thinking.
- Don't rush. Creativity takes time. The more you rush, the less you can creative.
I hope your next creative activity is a wonderful experience and that you can make it repeatable!
Regards,
Holly
