Do you usually think outside the box and come up with new ways to solve old problems? Then, you sound like a creative person who can put your imagination to good use. But do you sometimes find yourself in a creative rut and can’t tap into your creative side? Like inspiration is gone and ideas stopped flowing.
Not to worry! There are several ways you can reignite your creative spark.
First, let’s talk about creativity. It is usually connected with the arts or wild revolutionary ideas. Think Vincent Van Gogh or Bill Gates. However, this is not necessarily the case. You can apply your creativity to solve problems in any field, which is a valuable asset in the workplace. Why? Because it can help advance your career, create successful projects, and even improve your life!
What Makes a Person Creative?
Creative people:
- Are curious and enjoy learning new things. They are always looking for opportunities to learn new skills for work or their personal life.
- Have a sense of playfulness which makes them enjoy the problem-solving process. Also, they like to experiment with ideas until they find the right one.
- Are not afraid to take risks. They prefer to take up challenging projects than doing the same thing repeatedly.
- See failure as a learning curve rather than a discouragement or an obstacle.
- Challenge boundaries. They think outside the box and find opportunities where no one else sees them.
- Put a lot of energy into their work and are passionate and enthusiastic.
- Are thorough and detail-oriented.
- Want to be different and stand out from the masses.
- Are intuitive, they base their decisions on feelings rather than logic.
“By definition the ability to create something novel and appropriate, creativity is essential to the entrepreneurship that gets new businesses started and that sustains the best companies after they have reached a global scale”. Harvard Business Review, October 2008.
Ways to Boost Your Creative Spark
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all recipe. You must try different methods until you find the one that suits you best.
Take breaks. A tired brain needs rest to perform well. So, work on something else or take a short nap. Exercise is excellent for your physical and mental health. You don’t need much, so taking a walk will do the trick.
Work in a different environment. Looking at the same old stuff day in and day out has a numbing effect on your mind. Go to a coffee shop or change things around in your office.
Stop banging your head against a wall of frustration and move on to a different task. Preferably, do something you enjoy. You will feel refreshed and ready.
Collaborate with others. Bounce ideas off friends and colleagues. They bring other skills and perspectives to the table that will help you see things in a different light and come up with new ideas.
Keep a notebook handy to jot down ideas as they come to you.
How Leaders Can Kindle Their Team’s Creative Spark
By igniting your team’s creativity, you will also be boosting its productivity. According to the Harvard Business Review, leaders shouldn’t manage creativity but should manage for creativity. The article goes on to mention the steps leaders should take to encourage creativity in their teams: engage the right people, tap ideas from across the organization, inspire collaboration, and be open to different perspectives.
English Services Offers Creative Online English Courses
One of our favorite lesson plans at English Services is about creativity and how it helps you advance in your career. In the lesson plan, we discuss topics like split-brain theory, creativity tests, burnout prevention, lateral thinking, and advanced-level grammar and writing for business.
Get in touch to learn more about our lesson plans.
