The 12 Days of Illumination: Day 7
You don't have to be a "creative" to be creative
Welcome to Day 7 of The 12 Days of Illumination, a special daily dose of inspiration and easy-to-incorporate insights running from December 20 through the end of the year. Be sure to check out the archives to catch up on previous issues, and feel free to share this one with your friends. Or better yet, invite them to join our Illuminate Me tribe!
Pssst…
You don’t have to be a “creative” to be creative.
Creativity is the ability to perceive the world in new ways, find hidden patterns, make connections between seemingly disparate things, and generate innovative solutions. When you’re creative, you’re able to turn new and imaginative ideas into reality.
Here are six ways everyone can maximize creativity:
1. Lead with curiosity
When you’re genuinely curious about others, the way the world works, and what’s possible, you’ll find yourself asking questions like “What if?” and “Why not?” This helps you reframe established processes and products, challenge conventional thinking, and create an environment that fosters big ideas.
2. Be open-minded
The biggest creativity killer is a closed or fixed mindset. Challenge yourself to consider new ideas from unfamiliar sources, engage in discussions with people who don’t share your views or background, and seek out unusual experiences.
3. Practice intentional daydreaming
Research shows those who reported more frequent daydreaming during the day scored higher on creative and intellectual tests. Plus, building in free time means your brain is more relaxed, which is conducive to creativity.
4. Adopt a connect-the-dots perspective
When you tap into your awareness, you notice details other people miss. Creative people use all of their senses and are incredibly observant. They play connect-the-dots with ideas and thoughts, adopting a unique perspective to envision what’s possible.
5. Understand that quantity often leads to quality
As you embrace your creativity, you’ll yield many ideas, not all great. Use them as fuel to spur your continuous creative thinking. Allow yourself the freedom to produce as many new ideas as possible without fear, so you’ll create something no one has thought of before.
6. Don’t forget to have fun
Your next great idea is likely to come when you’re relaxed and at play, so stressing yourself out trying to “be creative” won’t help. Instead, cut yourself some slack and heed Albert Einstein’s words: “Creativity is intelligence having fun.”
Shine on,
Amy
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