Unlocking Your Creative Spirit

I have a friend who not only insists on carrying his eighteen-month-old son in a baby backpack, but, on occasion, setting him up on top of the refrigerator or in the branch of a tree, all with a stabilizing parental hand. He believes he provides his child with a fresh perspective and a different outlook on the world, especially since his son’s viewpoint is mostly ankle down.

Did you ever have a teacher who suggested holding a class lecture outside under a tree?  Or a boss who wanted to have a brainstorming session at the beach? Maybe, like that little guy in the backpack, you’ve noticed that you can think more creatively when you’re at a sidewalk, café watching the world go by or pulling weeds in your backyard, rather than sitting at the same old desk facing the same old computer screen. Just shaking up your routine can get you into a different frame of mind, allowing those creative problem-solving skills to kick in and solutions to bubble up to the surface. Let’s experiment with some different ways to unlock your creativity. Here’s what I want you to do.

1. Go to a meditation zone. Start your deep breathing or other stress-releasing exercises to begin to get into the creative flow. Pay attention to your inner dialogue and ease up as much as possible on any critical messages. Instead, substitute some kind words for yourself about your willingness to take a risk to continue trying out new tools and perspectives, and to seek ways to bring more passion and purpose into your life. In other words, give yourself a big pat on the back for not giving up on you.
2. Next, look at the following list of creativity-inducing activities designed to get you out of your rational mind and into a creative state. I want to try each one of them and record your reactions. If you can’t do all of them right away, pick one that you will do within twenty-four hours, one that you’ll do within the next week, and one that you’ll do next month.  It’s up to you to hold yourself accountable for completing each activity, or join forces with a friend or partner to hold each other accountable. Whatever gets the job done

Start a dream diary. Keep track of your dreams for a designated period of time, remembering your dreams when you awaken in the morning. Record what happens in your dream and what it means to you. Keeping track of your dreams can help you see your life in a more free-flowing, less linear way, opening up a new channel to your inner creativity.

Paint your masterpiece. Indulge in your artistic fantasy. Whether you see yourself as a Renoir or a Pollock, get out your watercolors, oils, easel, canvas or butcher paper, and create a work of art. If you’re used to drawing with chalk or pencils, don’t. This is the time to try something new. It doesn’t matter if it’s a splatter technique or a still life, but let yourself get lost in the moment and see what happens. Record your feelings in your daybook.