I admit it. Sometimes the spark that drives my creativity needs reigniting. When that happens, I usually hang out with toddlers.
Toddlers are creative geniuses. They don’t use anything for its intended purpose. They don’t color in the lines. They aren’t afraid to share their ideas or stories, no matter how ridiculous or far-fetched.
Toddlers aren’t held back by convention. They are the epitome of fresh thinking. Luckily, I’ve got two of my own who give me a refill of creativity whenever my tank is low.
What do you do when you need to rekindle the spark? What jump starts your creativity?
*Image by Brittany Randolph.
David spends his days focused on marketing communications strategies and execution. He blogs here regularly about integrated communications, PR and social media.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Man I need the answer to this question. More sleep doesn’t hurt. In fact as weird as it sounds, for me it’s being in a good routine. When I was writing every stinking day the creativity quotient was much higher. Getting adequate rest and lower TV intake is also good for me. Hanging with the kids is also a good idea.
Just go for a run. You think up some crazily ridiculous stuff out on the road when your brain doesn’t have enough oxygen
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So *that’s* what they mean by “runner’s high…”
I need to borrow a couple of toddlers from my friends once in awhile! Sleeping and swimming tend to do the trick. Both let me think without distraction. Music is another. It lets my mind wander and puts me in the right mood.
Sometimes all I need is a change of venue to help jump start the creativity. Working in an office setting can become a bit mundane, so switching to a coffee shop or another Wifi location can be refreshing. It’s amazing how the creativity juices start flowing if you simply step out of your routine schedule and change up your work location every so often!
I agree with Stuart. Stalled creativity is a sign that there’s too much clutter in my head. The clutter-clearing almost inevitably requires getting outside and doing something physical. The resultant endorphins have a way of bringing about whatever creativity is needed. It’s a bit of physiology as answer, but the way I personally happen to think on the topic.
Thanks for posting.
It sounds like I need to start running. As it stands now, when I hit a jog in the parking lot, I don’t feel creative juices flowing. I feel like I might pass out.
I find that reading and responding to others creative/inspiring thoughts and ideas often spark one or two of my own. That’s the beauty of conversations like this, you are surrounded with people who are just as enthusiastic to come up with something new, exciting, creative and fun. I think the key is making sure I am interacting with people who have skills I may not possess, both online and offline. I am always inspired by artists for example, because they generally see things a whole lot differently than I do.
Great point to interact with people who have different strengths, points of view, perspectives than you. I always get invigorated when I get new perspectives from other people. That’s one of the reasons I’m so grateful that people take time out of their days to leave comments here and on other blogs.
I do cartwheels in my office…..
Your office must be larger than my office. Or maybe I’m taller than you.
We are all born creative. School takes it away from us. You’ve got to fight to hold onto it. Teach your kids to resist conformity, stay true to their ideas, find comfort in being original. Also, make sure you read Sir Ken Robinson’s, The Element.
Excellent point, Edward! School teaches us to color in the lines. That elephants are supposed to be gray when we sketch them. That formulas dictate things.
I’m going to tell both my girls to fight the conformity and if their teachers have a problem with it, call Mr. Boches.
Love the “they don’t color in the lines” part. We focus too much of our time staying within the lines. Creativity starts when you cross those lines and not a moment sooner..
Everyone has solid points here. Personally, if I’m facing a creative roadblock, I usually do one of the following:
-Change the scenery. It’s amazing what ideas will crop up when you’re out of your normal element. Whether it’s heading down to the coffee shop or taking a stroll in a park to people watch, sometimes just getting away from the computer and getting a “breather” helps get the creative juices flowing.
-Consult with a “non-creative.” Sure, it’s great to brainstorm with your fellow marketers, but sometimes I get the best ideas from conversations with my fiance. An outside perspective can generate some thought-provoking ideas that one can grasp and build upon.
-Go have a beer! Possibly unconventional, yes, but there’s nothing like loosening up a bit with your peers. It helps relieve the pressure and can stimulate some interesting conversations!
I don’t have any toddlers (or any children for that matter!), but I can imagine that they can help you think outside the box. I’ll make a note to put my future kiddos to work.
Great post, David!
I agree with your third point so much, that I think we can now call ourselves friends. First round of creative inspiration is on me.
Since I write everyday on a deadline it’s hard to get creative sometimes. If I get stuck I usually go outside, even if it’s 112 degrees outside, just to get away from the computer screen, my twitter stream, emails, and other things vying for my attention. The quiet usually reorganizes the thoughts in my head, and suddenly the light bulb goes off and I rush back in to finish what I was working on. But maybe I’ll start renting toddlers from my co-workers!
Sara @ iGoMogul
So you’re saying I should have kids? =O
I agree with Stuart, running is always great for me. Nothing like clearing your mind and getting in a good jog. I really like running and looking at all the people I pass by. Gets me thinking about how different everyone is and what kind of things different people might need. You get a quick glimpse at their life as you pass by and it gives you a much better perspective of the world around you.
Not necessarily that you should “have” them. I wouldn’t push that on anyone because I’m not going to come over at 3 a.m. when they’re crying in the middle of the night.
You should definitely hang out with some toddlers some time, though.
I agree with iGoMogul. It can be extremely helpful to step away from the desk, email and everything that goes along with those things and go outside for a quick walk or to spend a few minutes with the crossword.
I also think changing the medium is extremely helpful. Doing all my composing day after day on the computer is quick, but it also sets me up for mental roadblocks. Stepping away from the computer and simply writing or even mapping out my ideas can reignite that creative thinking for me.
I totally agree. I love children!! “Close” to toddlers is seniors. Go to the senior center in your area and just talk to those people… they are so spunky, youthful and full of life. I think it’s cool because sometimes I feel like as I get older, life becomes more and more mundane. But these people who have lived three times as long as I have are so vibrant despite whatever hardships they may have faced in the past.
Honestly, I turn to music. I know our friend Narciso would love that one. I do my best writing often with the ear buds in. It’s a fact. And I know my mother would hate to hear that. Thank God she doesn’t read PR/SM blogs
I will say this about your inspiration, David. My 4-year-old son is one of the most creative people I know. Honestly. The kid can make a double-tank-triple-shooter out of a former hockey cross bar, a vacuum cleaner and a blanket. He’s 10 times the creator I am most days. As much as I draw on that, I so thoroughly enjoy laughing with him and admiring his creative flair at such a young age. Just had to share since you did.
@arikhanson
That’s *exactly* what I’m talking about. Kids don’t restrict their thinking. We see a vacuum cleaner and think “cleans floors.” We see a blanket and think “I’m not cold right now.” We see an old hockey cross bar and think “my friends are out of town, so I’ll leave that in the garage.”
A 4-year-old sees those three things and thinks “COOL! I can make a double-tank-triple-shooter!!!”
Now that is creativity!
Music is big for me as well. There is something about a good tune that can spark thoughts you never knew you were capable of. And something I’ve been trying to get much more into is reading – I’m still in that semi-recent grad all-reading sucks stage, I think it’s a transition most of us go through, but reading (books) has already been a huge source of inspiration in my writing and creative thought.
David, really enjoyed the post! I like thinking of really out there ideas that would never be possible, and then scaling them back to make them feasible. I also consult friends and family that aren’t so involved in the project to get an outsider’s perspective. Other than that, I find that looking at other examples of great ideas and seeing how they could be adapted for your purpose is helpful (whether it be advertisements, tv shows, reading, music, etc.)
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE w/Arik! MUSIC is what gets me outta my ‘norm’ and into something a bit more open. Toddlers are wonderful like that b/c everything is SO NEW to em’…this is why some of the best laughs I get are from my neices and nephews…!
They just….don’t….care….how…random…or…silly…something may sound…if it makes a tone, expresses a feeling, get’s a vibe…it’s ALL GOOD!
And for me, I get this with music…because (for me), the words are pretty secondary when it comes to a vibe in some music…halfway b/c of who the artist is and half b/c of the overall sonic-ness of the tunes.
This is not to say that I DO NOT pay attention to words in music…NAY NAY! But sometimes, you just gotta shut up and dance…!…goofily at times and even off beat…why not?…if it gets your creativity opened up, it’s all gravy!…ya’ just gotta sop it up…!
I have a notebook in Evernote with ideas I’ve yet to act on. They inspire me.
I’m reading Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Great Ideas, and it has some great suggestions on how to get the creativity flowing as well as listing some other books that have different advice. It mentions music and change of scenery as definite ways to clear the block, but it also mentions making a creative space.
Surrounding yourself with objects that make you think (like puzzles or design magazines) and things that inspire you (posters of faraway places; art). Then when you have a mental block, you can focus on what’s around you and let your mind concentrate on something else (and subconsciously work out your problem).
I write a lot in my free time and just making my space more pleasing to the eye and interesting has really helped me in those times of writers’ block.
Excellent post!
So true. Many years ago, I wrote an article suggesting that rather than go to an expensive presentation training class, just show up to your kid’s school for show and tell and PAY ATTENTION!