15 Essential Tips for Harnessing Your Creativity

Earlier this month, Newsweek declared that America is facing a “Creativity Crisis”. According to some researchers, there is evidence that creative potential in young Americans has dropped for the first time in generations…and that might be an early warning sign of cultural decline.

I’m calling shenanigans on you, Newsweek. From where I’m standing, Americans are more creative today than ever before. Ideas travel halfway around the world in an instant, people can get advice on the best ways to solve their most pressing problems any time of the day or night, and innovative entrepreneurs are doing their part to help pull us out of the recession.

Heck, I cross paths with at least a dozen creative minds before breakfast, and not all of them work with me at BlueGlass. I live with an incredibly talented composer. My neighbor across the street is a mixed-media artist. And my local restaurant scene is filled with creative cooks and chefs who love to combine new flavors and ingredients.

But being creative doesn’t always come easily, even to people who consider themselves imaginative. Anybody can get “writer’s block”, whether you’re struggling to come up with a catchy headline for an article that’s due tomorrow, or trying to devise the best way to increase traffic to your client’s homepage.

No matter what your profession may be, fostering your own creativity is essential for growing your business, completing your projects, and exceeding client expectations. Want to maximize your creative potential? Here are some tips and tricks that I put to use every day…

1. Make an outline.

Okay, I know it seems counter-intuitive to create an outline. After all, by setting up a framework for your project, aren’t you limiting your scope?

Well yeah, but that’s a good thing. There’s an old saying that for a writer, the most intimidating thing in the world is a blank sheet of paper. A sheet of paper is brimming with possibilities; the story can literally go in any direction. But sometimes, too many options can be overwhelming.

Creating an outline structure for your project ensures that your mind will be better able to focus on the project and not be overwhelmed by unlimited possibilities.

2. Keep a journal.

Or a bookmarks tab. Or a pile of sticky notes. You never know when a passing thought or casual observation can become your next great idea.

3. Get a fresh perspective.

Have a friend, co-worker, or colleague take a look at your progress so far. Two minds are better than one, so get a fresh pair of eyes to give you some honest feedback on your creative efforts.

4.  Stop thinking so hard.

Sometimes the best ideas come to us when we aren’t trying to think of them. When you’re stumped for a creative way to solve a problem, take your mind off the project by doing something else. The answer to your creative quagmire will probably present itself when you least expect it.

5. Collaborate with the rest of your team

Creating an atmosphere where you entire team can brainstorm creative solutions to your problems can produce some surprising results. People in accounting might have great ideas for marketing, and people in marketing might have great ideas for building relationships with clients. Open the floor to your entire workforce, and you are bound to get some creative juices flowing!

6. Research

Some people don’t like to do research. They worry that seeing what other people have done in a similar vein will stifle their creativity.

To me, that’s like an actor passing on the chance to see Laurence Olivier in Hamlet because they wouldn’t want to mimic his performance. Sure, you might pick up a few of his mannerisms, but what you learn from the experience is worth the risk of mimicry.

That’s what editing is for, folks.

7. Take a cue from your dreams.

Okay, this sounds completely cornball, but it works. Dreams are sort of a dress rehearsal for our minds; a time when our brains can try to anticipate and solve problems that you might face in real life.

If you’re stuck on a project, your brain might work out the answer while you’re asleep. Keeping a notepad or voice recorder by your bed is a great way to help you catch late-night flashes of inspiration.

8. Eat something.

Thinking is hard work. In fact, between 20 and 30 percent of your daily caloric intake is used to regulate your brain’s functions. Skip a meal, and your brain might not work so well. If you want to be working at your creative best, nibble on a stream of small snacks: fruits, nuts, crackers, or veggies are all a good bet.

9. Twist it

Creativity doesn’t stop when you’ve come up with a great idea. Trying making that idea even better by thinking about the solution from a new angle, or by adding an unexpected twist. For example, an article about fire safety can be pretty hum-drum. But if you can find a way to incorporate pop-culture references or current events, then suddenly you have something special.

10. Make time for creative pursuits.

Set aside some time every day (at the same time each day!) that is dedicated to creative thinking, innovative problem solving, or free thinking. Giving yourself that freedom each day can lead to some great ideas, and gives your brain permission to come out and play!

11. Think two ways.

There are two types of creative thinking. The first is “divergent” (thinking of lots of different ideas). The other form is called “convergent” (bringing disparate ideas together in a way that makes sense). When you get stuck on a project, try switching to a different type of creative thought, and see where that takes you.

12. Naps are awesome.

Creative types tend to burn the midnight oil (or wake up before sunrise to have some time for quiet reflection and uninterrupted thought). But burning the candle at both ends can burn you out completely if you aren’t careful.

If you want to be at your creative best, do yourself a favor and take a 20 minute nap. It will recharge your batteries, clear your mind, and works better than a latte or a can of Monster.

13. Let your first draft percolate.

If you have the time, set the first draft of your project (an infographic, a budget, a proposed client agreement) aside for at least a day. Coming back to it with fresh eyes will help you be more creative with it. plus, you’ll be more likely to catch omissions or mistakes that you missed the first time around.

Don’t have 24 hours to spare? Update your Twitter feed, check your stocks, or do anything that takes your mind off the project for five minutes, and then take a second look at your draft.

14. Track your time.

Giving yourself deadlines and keeping track of how long you work on a project helps you stay accountable to yourself, and also helps you to manage your time more effectively. It’s one thing to dedicate some time to brainstorming, it’s quite another to realize two hours later that you’ve only generated 2 semi-formed ideas in that time.

Before starting a creative session, set clear goals for yourself: “I want to have 5 solid ideas to pitch to a client by 2:30” or “In the next 30 minutes, I want to come up with 8 creative ways to raise brand awareness for this client”.

15. Cut stress out of the equation.

Some people work best under pressure. But sometimes the stress of an impending deadline can cause you to freeze up.

The solution? Go for a run. Have a cup of chamomile tea. Shoot up a bunch of zombies in your favorite video game. Do whatever it takes for you to blow off some steam and reclaim your ability to focus on the creative task at hand.

Creativity isn’t just for writers. Thinking outside of the box is essential for every modern professional, whether you build cars, computers, or brand reputations. Without creativity, there would be no innovation, no social change, no entrepreneurial spirit driving our economy.

Developing your capacity for creativity is one of the most rewarding forms of professional growth. Master the art of innovative thinking, and you can secure your future (and of course, the future of your company).

We’re still facing some tough economic times, but I’m fully convinced that fresh, creative ideas from pioneering social media moguls are going to help get things back on track. If you want to stay on the cutting edge of your industry, you’ve got to master the art of thinking creatively…or else you’re just gonna get left in the dust.