Sparking Creativity

Here’s how I spark creativity:

Get outside and walk.

The physical movement creates mental movement, and being outside is always restorative for me. And if I really want to spark creativity, getting out into real nature is always the best remedy. There’s no problem that can withstand a good walk outside in nature while thinking deeply on it.

Set constraints to work within.

It feels like a paradox, but setting constraints for yourself (even artificial ones) can force you to think more creatively. It can be a constraint of time, the tools you can use, or which techniques you can leverage. For example, could I redesign my website with two colors and a single font and weight and make it appealing? This is just a thought exercise, but you get the point: Constraints breed creativity.

Follow my energy.

Energy is the ultimate compass. It will point you towards the things you’re interested in and, perhaps more importantly, what you’re not interested in. As adults, we gravitate away from being playful and curious like we were as kids, but it’s still vital for creativity. I always try to follow my energy, indulge in playfulness, and keep following the questions I have.