- Exercise regularly. The brain works better and faster with a good blood flow, and exercise does just that. Exercise also releases endorphins, which can aid in creativity.
- Similarly, eat right. Eating healthy foods helps the brain function optimally. Specifically, eat fish and fresh vegetables. Fish oil has a huge impact on both mood and brain functionality.
- Get out into nature. Studies have shown that green and blue are the easiest colors for the eyes to take in, and actually stimulate the brain to release calming chemicals. Immersion in these colors can improve concentration, calm the body, and take your mind off of everyday stresses. Incidentally, studies have also shown that just cloud gazing for 20 minutes a day can improve creativity.
- Change your approach. If you always write or design on a computer screen, pull out a pencil and some paper for a change. Begin with one element you really like and build an idea around that. Just do something to jolt yourself into a new way of thinking.
- Write down your thoughts, step away, and come back to them later. One thing I’ve learned as a writer is that it’s hard to produce a lot of good writing if you don’t first produce a lot of bad writing. Bad writing can be refined into good writing; no writing remains no writing. You may have to go through a lot of bad ideas to refine a good one, but that’s a good idea you wouldn’t have had otherwise.
- Don’t jump to implementations. Set a block of time and just come up with ideas. Focus on the implementation later. It will be more beneficial in the long-run to have a well-developed idea and then develop the implementation than to have an immature idea and develop it as you go. You’ll end up changing your implementation as you further develop the idea, and you’ll probably miss out on a lot of the potential that that idea has.
- Similarly, don’t jump on the first good idea you come across. Spend some time and gather several good options, and then pick the best one. This also gives you something to fall back on should your idea of choice not work out.
- Get away from your critics. Having someone look over your shoulder as you do something or constantly tell you what to do are two of the top creativity killers. The goal is to eventually have a presentable idea, but if you feel you’re under extreme pressure, get out and allow an idea to develop without initial criticism.
- Have some fun. It may be hard to believe, but simply playing and acting spontaneously are actually huge mental boosters that can increase IQ over time. Take a fifteen minute break to throw a balloon around your office with coworkers, go outside and play Frisbee, or go chase squirrels in the park. (Seriously though, be careful with the squirrels. They bite.) Sometimes creation requires recreation.
- Similarly, remember to joke around. Playfulness is a creative state in its own right. Studies have shown that brainstorming groups that laugh readily are more productive than their more serious counterparts. Don’t lose sight of the goal, but don’t be afraid to joke around for a bit in meetings.
- Eat candy. You’ll see.
Add a New Comment
November 15th, 2007 at 10:53 am
You tell me to eat right, then you tell me to eat candy. I’m flummoxed!
November 15th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Eat fish candy and you’ll be alright.