Creativity…
Something that, deep down, we’d all like to say we possess; though in reality it’s something that many of us struggle with.
I mean, having the ability to rely solely on our imaginations to improve something or generate totally new ideas – that’s truly amazing. It certainly isn’t easy, especially when all around us we see examples of other people’s extraordinary creative ability; whether that’s a song on the radio, a film on the TV, a photograph, a piece of writing or even a child’s drawing. But creativity exists everywhere and it is something that everyone has – we just need to learn how to use it.
If you’re currently finding yourself lost whilst searching for your creative mojo, don’t worry! Here are 10 simple steps you can take to bring your creative side out of the dark and into the light:
You There, Yep You… You’re Creative!
For some strange reason so many of us are happy to just lay down and die when it comes to being creative. We accept defeat and live with the notion that we’re destined to be creative outcasts. But that just isn’t the case! If you take anything from this article please let it be that everyone has the potential to be creative and think creatively.
Stop, That’s Enough!
Stop making excuses as to why you can’t do something; don’t just sit around – get up and get going! Take those first steps to becoming more actively creative, theres no reason why not. Okay, not everyone can be the next Picasso but everyone has the ability to be creative in one way or another. Just have a bit of faith and believe that you have what it takes to use your imagination and create something, trust me you can.
Find Your Niche
We all have different tastes and interests; different things that make us tick. There’s no restrictions when it comes to being creative. If you want to be a musician one day and a photographer the next, go ahead, there’s nothing stopping you. No harm will come from trying a bit of everything, often it takes experience to determine what’s right for you.
Get Inspired
Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to begin. When staring at a blank piece of paper, a finished product can seem a million miles away. I’m not condoning plagiarism but there’s nothing wrong in taking inspiration from other artists. Grab ideas from a variety of sources and use them to stir up your creative juices.
Get To Work
I know this has been said a Trillion times. It’s boring to hear but get to work and work hard at it! Like absolutely everything, the only way you’re going to get better is to work hard and practice. But that also means making the time to work. I know it’s hard fitting it in amongst your busy daily schedule but being creative can positively enhance every part of your life. It’s a way of thinking and living in the world and if it suits you, it can become a way of life.
Start Small
If you do find yourself struggling for time then feel free to start small. Not every piece of work needs to be a masterpiece. Creativity can be as simple as a rough sketch or a quick picture taken from your phone. If you’re just starting out this can be a good way to find out what you like doing and it certainly gives you chance to be creative everyday, no matter how busy you are.
Lose The Perception Of Perfection
For this one I’m speaking from experience… I know how frustrating it can be when you try your absolute best to create something that you believe is amazing, only to see someone else’s jaw-dropping masterpiece! AAAAGHHH! The fact of the matter is that there are people out there who have specific skills. As sad as it is to say, not everyone can be equally as good as one-another; so lose the perception of perfection. Take your failures as lessons and learn how to be okay with them. Being creative isn’t about being the best, it’s not about winning or losing; it’s about expressing yourself and creating something that you are proud of.
Break The Rules
Creativity has no limits and no rules. Sure there are genres and styles that may tend to follow particular conventions, especially in film and music. But there is nothing and no-one telling you what you should or should not be creating. Don’t limit yourself to what other people are doing. Be unique, be spontaneous and, most importantly, do what suits you and makes you happy.
Sharing Is Caring
Remember that everyone had to start somewhere. Whatever your style or skill level, there are always people out there who will help and advise you. There’s nothing wrong with sharing what you create and letting others see what you can do- any feedback is good feedback.
Frustration Is Your Friend
Even the most imaginative minds get stuck in the creative process sometimes. Naturally this leads to a fair amount of frustration, especially when you’ve been working on something for a long time and things just aren’t clicking. But embrace it! Frustration won’t go away so there’s no point worrying about times when you get stuck; occasionally it is inevitable. Deal with creative blocks constructively and positively. Take time to chill out, go away and reassess your work, go for walks, source out more inspiration. It happens to the best of us so don’t let it get you down.
Keep going
Don’t give up thinking creatively. As I said at the start, everyone can be creative so just work at it and naturally you’ll improve over time. Incorporate all of these steps and find a style and a process that suits you. Whatever happens remember that you can do it! This is the fun part after-all…