I read something about how walks unlock your creativity.
If wizards and warlocks rule the Earth, then we can believe that walks are magical things that unlock your creativity.
No.
Creativity is so much more than a walk. It’s a process that involves knowing how to approach problems.
In my work as a writer and copywriter, I’ve discovered a 7-part process that helps me be more creative — thanks to the brilliant John Cleese.
1. Flip Problems Upside Down
There is always more than one way to solve a problem.
You can flip problems upside down or sideways. You can write a sentence in a thousand different ways. Creativity is about thinking outside the box.
Creativity is not about the most logical answer.
It’s about finding different answers.
2. Spend More Time on a Problem
It’s easy to rush the process of getting content published as quickly as possible.
I have that problem. I want to build that habit. I want to get it over with.
But I also have to realize that spending another 10 minutes to an hour on that problem could help my creativity and my writing.
Give your creative ideas and your writing as much time as possible without letting it consume you.
3. Make Creative Thinking a Habit
Creative thinking is a muscle that needs exercising.
I don’t believe in always following a formula. I like to go off the rails and let ideas simmer in my brain without any order. It’s absolute chaos. And yet, it’s also the point of creative thinking.
There’s no structure. I make creative thinking a habit. It’s chaos until I find something that works.
4. Make Doing Things More of a Habit
Every idea needs space to grow.
I also think that growth comes from just doing more things. It’s not about letting it sit in your brain. It’s about putting it out into the world. Let your writing live on the internet.
You’ll get feedback. It’s part of the creative process. You’ll learn something about yourself and your readers.
5. Stop Trying to Be Like Others
“Good artists copy, Great artists steal”
There’s a lot of truth in stealing like an artist. You learn from those before you but you never copy their exact work.
A lot of copywriters try to emulate the success of the best advertisements. Writers on social media will use the same hook and template as hundreds of other writers.
I fell into this trap for years.
Then I realized that I needed to stop and think. Do nothing. Go fishing. Stop trying to rush the process. Stop trying to be something I’m not.
You’ll be surprised how creative you can be when stop trying so hard to be like someone else.
6. Be Confident In Your Abilities
Every creative idea needs confidence.
It needs your confidence. You don’t need to share it with every single family and friend. Your ideas only need your stamp of approval.
If you love your ideas and have confidence in them, then don’t be afraid to share them with the world.
7. Make It Playful & Funny
After 34 years, I finally learned something about myself.
I learned that I love making my writing playful and funny. Okay, fine, it’s also a bit serious and educational 29% of the time.
I spent years trying to pinpoint my writing to a single word. I tried to figure it out like a math problem.
I unlocked it when I stopped trying to do all of that. I gave it humor. I love what John Cleese says about humor and creativity:
Nevertheless I can at least tell you how to get yourselves into the open mode. You need five things:
- Space
- Time
- Time
- Confidence
- a 22 inch waist
Sorry, my mind was wondering. I’m getting into the open mode too quickly. Instead of a 22 inch waist, you need humor. I do beg your pardon.
Creativity Is What You Make It
My final thought on creativity is that it can’t be bottled up.
We like to define things and tell people how things are done. We like to emulate the success of others. We want their creativity so bad that we forget that we are creative.
Everyone needs a reminder of how creative they are. A reminder that you can solve so many problems by persisting with them. By thinking differently about it.
Creativity is yours for the taking.
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