Kent, my eight-year-old nephew, told me he was working on some new jokes. He'll tell them to me as soon as he's figured out the punch lines. I told him the best way to feel creative is to go out and play. It's the same advice I give myself when I need help in the inspiration department. When I'm stuck on a problem, I realize that sitting and staring at my computer screen doesn't help. I've found a few tricks to get my imagination to work clearly.
Get Up and Move. Being sedentary for an extended length of time isn't good for our health and well-being. Sitting still in an office or classroom reduces our productivity. We think better on our feet. Increasing blood flow and raising our oxygen levels only happens when we're on the go. We all need a bit of recess. Our breakthroughs and problem solving happen easier when we take a walk, whether on a nature hike or window shopping. Put on some feel-good music and dance around. Even doing some simple stretches can clear away the cobwebs. It's like a fog has lifted, and we can see the answer in front of us.
Meditation. Taking five minutes to close our eyes gives us a moment away from the non-stop action in our lives. Meditating helps us to slow down our breathing and brings us into the present. The roadblocks in our thought process will give way to finding a path forward. The "ah-ha" moments come when we can quiet our minds and filter out the chaos. Our insight grows when we open ourselves up to infinite possibilities.
Write It Down. Don't let that good idea getaway; record it on your phone or grab a pen and notepad. I've gotten my best concepts in the middle of the night, and I'll get up and start jotting it down. I've learned from my past experiences that no matter how much I think I'll remember it, I won't. A moment of clarity can come from seeing our thoughts on paper. We can start to mold and shape our vision when we can cross out or add-in as needed. It's like a photograph appearing before our eyes as the picture comes into focus.
Call A Friend. We can try to bounce our ideas off a wall, but our best bet is to talk to someone and get their feedback. Mastermind groups are popular for a reason. When we get the opportunity to discuss and strategize with others, our thoughts start to take form. We can hear other perspectives and see our ideas advance. When we have the support and encouragement from others, we can feel the impossible become possible. Collaborating and working on other people's projects will also help the creative juices flow for our work as well.
Inspiration comes when we take the pressure off ourselves. Playing, laughing, and enjoying the people around us puts us in a positive mood. Taking a warm bath, reading a good book, or watching a wonderful program gives us the ability to regroup by shifting our attention to something else.
I love that my nephew, Kent, is working on his standup routine. I enjoy watching him bring his imagination to life. We all carry that innate creativity that keeps us improving ourselves. We should never take it for granted. Go out, play, have fun, and make the world a better place.