Learning is a complex process. There is so much to take in, analyze, synthesize and organize. Sometimes we forget about the impact of our creative elements. Here are a few ideas of ways to stay creative.
1. Listen and view the natural world that surrounds you. It’s the proverbial “take some time to smell the roses”. When we give ourselves a break from the daily challenges, we often find solutions to issues and problems. That time apart, relaxing, letting what we see and hear flow through us often helps us discover answers and ideas we’d otherwise never reached.
2. Write, draw or record you ideas using creative materials: colored pencils, sketch pads, markers, colored paper, watercolors, paint brushes, origami paper. By changing the medium, we change the “feel” of our thinking, allowing new ideas to surface.
3. Explore new ideas unrelated to your purpose. Read books about a topic you’ve never considered. Visit a museum that focuses on themes you thought had no interest for you. Watch videos, listen to speeches or play with tools outside your usual wheelhouse. There is something about getting away from who we usually are that inspires creativity.
What changes, flights of fancy, might you consider to expand your creativity? What risks might you take to shake up your thinking? Don’t think about it…DO it!