I get this question a lot along with, can we be creative all the time? The simple answer is ‘NO’. It is only human to be creative in parts. Just like how you can’t be happy all the time or work all the time, you need to allow yourself to rest your creativity too. However, creativity is a result of curiosity. So, can we be curious always? Hell, yes!
Firstly, let me tell you one more time that being creative is not a magical gift you are born with, it is a muscle you can develop. Sadly we don’t teach this in the early stages of education yet, but I believe we must. They say it is never too late so if you are curious to be creative you need to remember these three important pointers -
Be Curious
This is the first step and the most important one. Ask questions and ask questions on your questions till you can’t think of questions anymore, let me give you an example: if you found an ad which you found creative, you can think like —
Why did they make it like this?
Maybe their target audience understands this language, but what makes it relatable for them?
What emotion are they trying to trigger?
Could there be another way of doing this?
These questions stir your mind to think in different directions. Creativity is when you can combine thoughts to form an idea which can create something valuable. Even when your creative juices are not flowing, you can stay curious. Allow your mind to ask obvious questions too, and allow it to create a map for you.
Rest is Important
If your job demands you to stay creative, you need to understand that breaks are where you create a mental library of thoughts. This library is your resource centre for ideas, so the more you will allow yourself to absorb the richer your collection will be.
Resting can mean different things to people, it can be as simple as keeping your gadgets away and watching the sunset, going to the gym, or talking to a friend about something that is off-topic. Essentially taking your time out to absorb, while being curious is a structured way, resting is unstructured. You just need to be there for yourself, without expecting a definitive outcome.
Have a Vision
Having a vision helps solve any problem. When you can see clearly where you are headed, ideas tend to fall into place. If you are at a stage where you can’t see clearly, take two steps backwards and think — what were you really trying to achieve by this, and why the ideas you came up with didn’t work?
Having a vision helps you to be selective. You might have limited resources but you might not be looking at the resources collectively or failing to optimise them. In either case, you pick what you can choose to switch your lens to look far and then up close. Doing so will help you shift your perspective towards the same resources you started with.
Creativity is intelligence having fun — Albert Einstein
Lastly, experiment and have fun. Put down the mountain of expectations of that one perfect idea, instead swim in the ocean of thoughts, and you will find many more possibilities.
