Whether or not the threat is real, and AI is going to take over all the creative jobs, many creators feel it’s real. And with that feeling, comes anxiety, and possibly resignation, and it’s hard to feel inspired in that mode. Without a doubt, AI has its place, and you’d be remiss not to use it, as long as you look at it as a tool, not a crutch. While it can certainly help with idea generation, it should never replace human inspiration. So, where does inspiration come from, and can you force it to happen? Not exactly, but there are things you can do to encourage ideas to emerge. If you’re staring at a blank page or have a design problem you need to solve, one of these strategies might work for you.
1. Turn off the computer and get outside
The next time you’re having trouble coming up with fresh ideas, go for a walk. It doesn’t have to be a trek in the mountains, though that does sound nice, a trip to a local park or ravine can do the trick. According to a David Suzuki Foundation study, “time spent in nature makes us happier, healthier and calmer. It increases creativity and lowers risk of heart attacks. It even makes us nicer and more empathetic, with more meaningful relationships and increased community involvement.”
2. Listen to music
Listening to music can boost creativity by improving mood, reducing stress, and stimulating the brain’s default mode network, which is when we are not focused on a specific task and can be associated with mind-wandering and imaginative thinking. Music can also enhance divergent thinking, the ability to generate multiple ideas, and help break down mental blocks. For more on how music affects the brain, check out neuroscientist Daniel Levitin’s video, Can music transform your brain?
3. Exercise
When you play a sport, you can’t help but be present, or, as athletes say, “in the zone.” That kind of singular focus can extend to other parts of your life, including creative thought. There’s a reason that many schools now mandate daily physical activity—it helps students release pent up energy so they can focus on learning. The same thing can work for creators who are stressed about meeting a deadline and coming up empty. Exercise can enhance creativity by improving blood flow to the brain, stimulating the birth of new brain cells, and reducing stress. These factors contribute to better cognitive function, including creative thinking, problem-solving, and imagination.
4. Meditate
Meditation isn’t just for monks. There are plenty of ways to practice mindfulness in the real world, including apps you can download to guide you through a meditation exercise. The most accessible way to start meditating is to simply focus on your breath. Inhale slowly for four seconds, hold it for six and then exhale for eight seconds. The ultimate goal is to reset your nervous system, calm your mind, and let thoughts just flow so you can stop focusing on problems and let solutions emerge.
5. Doodle
Even if visual arts are not your thing, you’d be surprised how drawing random shapes can help you create connections that you might normally not make. Get out a piece of paper, draw any kind shape, then start adding to it to make it into something else. It’s an easy and fun way to tune out and stimulate lateral thinking.
6. Go to an art gallery
Just being in the presence of art can get synapses firing. You just have to go with an open mind and leave your ego at the door. It’s natural to want to critique the work or compare your skills, especially with some contemporary art (“I could have done that!”) but resist the temptation. Instead, soak it in without judgement and let creative osmosis occur.
7. Read a book
And this doesn’t necessarily mean a book on the problem that’s stumping you, though it could, but rather a book that takes you away somewhere. The more fiction you read, the more you have to imagine, and the more you imagine well…in theory, the more you create!
8. Complete a creativity challenge
On the internet, you can find numerous mental exercises, games or challenges that are designed to stimulate creativity. For example, the New York Times recently published a series of five fun daily activities that promised to make readers feel “happier, lighter, and less stuck.”
9. Seek professional help
If you have a problem that you just can’t figure out, it could be time to bring in a pro. At Beacon, we have the people and experience to solve most design, branding, strategy and project management issues. We’d love to work with you to make good things happen. Get in touch with us here.
What do you do to get inspired? We’d love to hear about it.
