While it's true that some people are born with a creative mind, it doesn't mean that creative
thinking can't be learned and developed.

You may even believe that you don't have a creative bone in your body, but this simply isn't
true. If you weren't capable of some type of creative thinking, you'd be a robot!

Believing In Yourself
​
The first step toward creative thinking is the belief that you can acquire and develop the
skill. The truth is that, if you continue to set up a mental roadblock and tell yourself that you
can't think creatively, you'll never get past this first step.

When you truly believe in yourself, you also open up doors. The possibilities are
endless just because you decided to give creative thinking a shot.

Developing Creativity

In order to foster creativity in your life, start thinking about where you want to apply
your newfound creativity. It'll help, at least at first, to have a specific goal instead of the
broad goal of just "thinking" creatively overall.

You might start with discovering better solutions to common problems at the office, or you
might want to broaden your horizons with an artistic goal in your free time.

No matter what your goal is, try applying some of these creativity boosting tips:

1. Spend time brainstorming. When looking for ideas for a project - or solutions to a
challenge - write down everything that comes to mind without holding back. Don't
worry about logistics or staying organized; just let your mind go free.

• Another form of brainstorming that might be worth a try is free writing: just pick up a
pen and let your mind go wild on the topic of your choice. Tell yourself that you can't
pause or put the pen down; you must keep writing. You'll be surprised at what you can
unload from your brain during a free writing session!

2. Change your surroundings. You may have noticed that your patterns of thinking
change when you're in different places. If you find that your mind is stuck, try
changing your environment. Go out for some fresh air or hang out in a coffee shop. It
may be just what you need in order to discover a new and exciting idea.

3. Take notes. Always carry some kind of note taking device with you, whether it's
paper or a mobile device. Record your ideas as they come to you, no matter
where you are at the time. Creative thoughts can come and go, but if you write
them down you won't forget them.

4. Research your topics. Even though it may seem boring, you can do some research
online. When you do, you'll learn that knowledge is power and it'll enable your brain
to get to a place it wouldn't normally have gone.

• Enjoy the journey and always follow your love of learning. Research will always
provide you with new angles of thought.

Consider Other Perspectives

While everyone comes with their own unique set of abilities and opinions, when you
develop your creativity, you learn how to come up with new ideas and solve
problems from different points of view.

No matter what challenge you're faced with, spend time considering the perspective of
others. While you might not share the opinion of another, see if you can figure out how or
why they have that view. Think about how they feel. Developing this empathy will keep
your mind open, which will always foster creativity.

When you get into the habit of using these tips often, you'll be pleased to see outbursts of
creativity

If you have a career that requires creativity or you’ve ever needed a creative solution to a problem, you’re aware of how challenging it can be to be creative on command. Creativity seems to come and go with little rhyme or reason. Have you ever wished you could proactively boost your creativity? You can!

Like any other skill, the ability to increase your creativity gets better with practice and experience. Get started today and you’ll find yourself being more creative in the future.

These strategies will encourage your creativity to blossom:

Work in a new environment. It’s amazing how much a change of scenery can help! Try working in the library or a coffee shop. Rearrange your office and change the view. When you do the same things in the same place, you’ll tend to think the same thoughts.

-Turn off your autopilot and expose your senses to new stimuli.

Pretend you’re helping someone else find solutions. Many people find that they have more creative ideas when helping others solve their challenges.

-Pretend you’re helping a friend and let the ideas flow. Depersonalizing the issue seems to free up a part of the mind that’s otherwise stifled.

Brainstorm in pairs. Have you ever noticed that you and a friend or coworker find more creative ideas between the two of you rather than when brainstorming in a group? Break away from the group and pair up with just one other person.

-When a large group brainstorms, most of the group members lack a sense of accountability. It’s too easy to be passive.

Try being creative at a different time of the day. If you normally write in the morning, try the evening. Try staying up extra late or getting up extra early for a change. If you’ve been feeling stuck at 9 AM for a while, it’s time try a different hour of the day. Set your alarm clock for 3 AM and force yourself to work for 20 minutes.

Try some music. Few things can change your mood and get those creative juices flowing faster than a great song. Try different types of music and see what works. Avoid sticking to only your favorites. Branch out and listen to something new.

Meditate. Meditation is useful tool for giving your mind a well-needed break. You’ll find your thoughts start to become reenergized. Simple and elegant solutions frequently reveal themselves after a short period of meditation.

-Meditation requires a little practice, but it’s easier to learn than you may think. Meditate on your challenges and be open to the thoughts that arise.

Stay hydrated. Get a drink of water! Your body is mostly water. Even a small degree of dehydration causes all sorts of biological processes to go haywire. If you’re feeling stuck, take a minute to drink a large glass of water.

-Remember to drink throughout the day and the evening.

Go outside. Try getting outside for a little exercise. The late John Denver frequently commented that all of his best songs were written immediately after an exhilarating, outdoor activity. He frequently skied, drove racecars, and flew experimental airplanes.

-You may lack a plan, but you can still get outside and do something stimulating!

Creativity doesn’t automatically happen on command. There are times when creativity is needed, but it’s nowhere to be found. Add these tips to your creativity pool the next time you’re feeling uninspired. If one strategy fails to yield the results you desire, try another. With practice, you can learn to unleash your creativity on demand.