Did you know that constant disruptions and distractions are one of the biggest killers of creativity?

When you don’t have anywhere to go and nothing pressing on your agenda, it is a great opportunity to feed and activate your creativity. Far and few these moments may come so it’s important to take advantage of them.

Although creative action existed before the Greeks, it was they and their great philosophers that examined the self and origins of all things who put a name to it and developed this concept of bursting inspiration. They surmised it was the heavenly creatures known as The Muses that provided these gifts. 

During the Middle Ages, it was the spawn of Christianity that brought about some of the most creative and practical innovations in technology, art, and institutions ever displayed in history. Musical notation, eye glasses, oil-based paints, universities, and the foundations of science are only a few of the many medieval achievements. 

The end of the Middle Ages was marked by the birth of the Renaissance, which was a renewal of life and ideas after the terrible Black plague had passed. The Renaissance, beginning in the 14th Century, was greatly influenced by past ancient mythology and artifacts. They were sources of inspiration which stimulated new ideas and thought.

What is creativity? 

It seems hard to articulate something that has always been with us, yet so often elusive.   

One way to describe creativity, is the capacity to produce ideas that are both original and adaptive. It may spring forth by looking at things from a different perspective or from approaching the question at a different angle. The root of creativity is actually problem solving.

How can we have more creative ideas?

 Build healthy boundaries of space and time so your thoughts and ideas can flourish. These boundaries allow freedom and safety to explore new concepts.

• Time to focus
• Quiet to allow contemplation
• Avoid interruptions – they ruin creativity
• Avoid people who will dismiss your dreams & ideas (important)

Try to bring inspiring media, images, and activities into each day. Over time, with these different and varied impressions, you will find your thoughts arriving at more and more innovation solutions.

• Each day, try to learn something new.
• Explore what others have done.
• Sleep on a problem. This allows the unconscious mind to work on it.
• Often limitations inspire creativity because there’s guidelines. 

Life would be boring without creativity. It makes everything exciting and fulfilling. When we don’t express our ideas and inspirations through creative endeavors, it transforms into frustration, depression, and anger. It’s important to do something creative everyday. These acts of expression enrich our lives and those of others. Hopefully, these techniques will help you create space to free your inspirations in more inventive ways. Remember to try to be curious, be open to new things, and allow yourself to make mistakes.

Sometimes, creativity just comes, and we just have to let it happen.