7 Simple Tricks to Fuel Your Creativity

The other day, I was talking to a dear friend of mine who is passionately working to find a cure for her son, Bennett, who has cystic fibrosis.

She spends a great deal of her time fundraising, coordinating CF walks, visiting DC to lobby for funding — you name it.

Although she is incredibly passionate about her work, she said it’s exhausting and she has trouble keeping her creative energy going.

She asked me — how do I fuel my creativity day in and day out?

How to Boost Your Creativity

Although everyone is different, here are a few things that I do to get my creative juices flowing:

1. Exercise.

I love running — not just for the physical benefits, but for the mental benefits too.

It’s a great excuse to get outside and gives me time to think and let my mind wander. In fact, I often solve problems and come up with new ideas while I’m out on a run. And, when I’m finished, I come back to my work refreshed and invigorated.

If running isn’t for you, that’s okay. Just find another way to exercise your mind and body.

2. Get away from your desk.

It’s hard to be creative when you’re staring at a computer all day. Trust me!

That’s why it’s so important to get up, give yourself a break and get away from your desk.

Go for a walk. Grab a coffee. Sit outside on a park bench and stare at the clouds.

Changing your environment can dramatic impact on your ability to solve problems and see things in a different light. Not to mention, it can help increase your energy too.

3. Embrace the quiet.

In today’s face-paced world, we don’t know how to be alone with our thoughts anymore. We check our phone at stoplights or while we’re waiting in line at the grocery store.

I know I do.

Or, at least I used to.

Now, I leave my phone in my purse and use those times to think and be quiet. When I’m driving, I often turn off the radio to just be alone with my thoughts.

Studies show that disconnecting from technology can help spur creativity. When we’re disconnected from other activities, that’s when our brain can solve problems. After all, that’s why we often come up with ideas in the shower.

Learn to embrace downtime and create space to think.

4. Read.

Oftentimes, I get ideas by reading the work of other people.

Make time to read business articles, blogs and books. But don’t forget to pick up some fiction writing too. There are tremendous benefits to reading fiction — it expands your experiences, makes you more perceptive and can even help you become a better storyteller.

5. Brainstorm.

Two heads are better than one. And three heads are better than two.

That’s why I love brainstorming with my team. When you bring multiple people with diverse skills and viewpoints together, you come up with more creative solutions.

Brainstorming is a great way to spark creativity and come up with ideas that you wouldn’t have discovered on your own.

6. Practice.

Even creative people need practice. I know I do.

The more I write, the more ideas I get. That’s why I write a little bit every day.

What can you do to flex your creative muscle regularly?

Write.

Doodle.

Sing.

Dance.

Paint.

Snap photos.

Find your creative outlet and start practicing daily!

7.
 Rest.

It’s difficult to think and be creative when you’re overly tired. That’s why it’s so important to get the rest you need.

Make getting a good night’s sleep a priority. You’ll wake up more refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

Also, it’s important to take longer breaks too. A regular vacation can help you come back to your work with a renewed sense of energy.

What about you? What do you do to fuel your creativity?