How to increase your creativity
This post was originally shared in my semi-frequent Learn Something New(sletter). To never miss info like this, join the party! 🥳
September vibes are here, and that back-to-school energy continues to hit hard. You too? Suddenly feel like you need a new cardigan? I’m with you.
Something happens when fall rolls around. We’ve shifted out of summer chill vibes and want to get.going.now.
We usually wait for January to set resolutions. New year, new me.
Why not reset and consider what you want to get done in these final days of 2022. Right now. Because guess what?
September 22nd (today!) marks only 100 days left of the year.
Does that make you panic a tiny bit?
Or does it make you feel like time is expansive?
A common theme for my clients is creating the space and time to focus on developing their passions that exist outside or tangential to their careers.
So let’s learn from the best. Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit is my go-to for when I’m struggling to tap into my creative juices.
We’re going to get a dose of creativity support.
From Tharp herself, “Creativity is not just for artists. It’s for businesspeople looking for a new way to close a sale; it’s for engineers trying to solve a problem; it’s for parents who want their children to see the world in more than one way.”
Biggest whoa moment: “Creativity [is] augmented by routine and habit.”
Ugh.
Right?
You wanted me to say you just need a muse, a candle, and a random dose of inspiration.
Nah.
If you want to create space to create… it’s going to take… well… effort.
So, read on to hear the building blocks to prepare to up-level your creativity.
Put it into practice now: There are few key steps to curate a habit of creativity in your life. Here they are:
Prepare to be creative via a ritual: The ritual can be anything from lighting a candle, turning on music, pouring a cup of coffee - whatever it is, let that be the “on” button for creativity. Have it be the start to creativity. Curious about mine? I always shift all my stuff to a new place (specifically my dining room table) to start writing. Even if I’m comfortable and have all my creature comforts… I love to be in a new place to write.
Cut out fear of creativity: Our little brains have all kinds of worries about what could go wrong. What if I’m not good enough? What if it’s already been done before? What if people judge me?! Get clear on what makes you nervous about this creativity, and then negotiate with it. So what if your first times aren’t great? That’s where the learning comes in! Been done before? Of course it’s been done before, but your approach is unique. People will laugh? Yeah, they might. But who wants people around them that laugh at them!
Get rid of distractions: Tharp is intense about cutting things out: movies, background music, human beings. Pretty sure she’d happily live in a bubble to create. That might not work for you, but, if you find instagram or something else taking away time from your creativity… it might be time to set some limits.
Prepare the environment: Make sure you have everything you need to get going. Water? Pencil? Coffee? Mood music? Give yourself that space to really, well, think!
Scratch for ideas: Tharp is all about the idea that BIG ideas come out from a lot of little discoveries. Go to a museum and see a famous painting, read an incredible book, watch a fantastic documentary, attend a lecture. Basically, fill your cup with amazing things to get excited about your own ideas.
Take action: To really get going, you’re going to have to… well… do stuff! Tharp’s best idea is to consider what you really want to get done. Write it all out. Do things overlap? Are they completely unique and unrelated?? Consider what can truly be completed… and focus there.
Want to take it a step further on taking action? Consider what you truly want to complete by the end of this year. (We have 100 days left, remember?!)
Together with Miriam Bekkouche, of Brain Spa, we’ll be on Instagram talking about these final 100 days. Follow along!
Feel free to share what you’re going to try to complete (either for work, or for personal stuff!) on instagram, and use the #100daystrong hashtag.
And if you’re struggling to take action on your goals - whether they’re work-related, life-related, or creativity-related… I’m here to help!
Dive deeper:
Check out her work: Twyla Tharp
Read the book: The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life
Check out the PBS Special: American Masters